Digital Mobility

The growing controversy over the complexity of vehicle electronics, driver distraction issues and “user-interface challenges,” such as BMW AG's controversial iDrive, promise to make Convergence 2004 a lively event.

Discussion and debate over key industry issues have been a part of the biennial symposium since it started 30 years ago as a response to stricter government mandates related to safety, fuel and emissions standards.

In the early 1970s, the auto industry hoped it could use electronics technology to find solutions to many of the new problems it faced, even though the only electronic components on cars were alternators and voltage regulators.

“Back then, Convergence was a way to bridge the gap between electronic and automotive-engineering disciplines,” says Gerhard Schmidt, Convergence 2004 chair and vice president-Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Co. “Today, Convergence is a highly evolved conversation among the world's leading automotive and electronic experts working to make automobiles safe, sustainable and digitally connected.”

Exchanging ideas and networking always have been a key part of the event, and Schmidt is working to make sure this year's conference maximizes those opportunities with an impressive list of keynote speakers, at least three electronic specific panel discussions and 85 technical papers.

Its well-attended panel discussions (which can attract 400-500 attendees) often yield great insight into future industry behavior.

For instance, a panel discussion two years ago put the brakes on the idea that a quick conversion to 42-volt vehicle electrical systems was on the way. Panelists warned that despite all the hype, the conversion likely wouldn't begin until the end of the decade.

That prediction proved spot-on. In fact, DaimlerChrysler recently announced it was giving up on 42-volt systems entirely.

Panel discussions this year will cover driver distraction issues resulting from the migration of consumer electronics into the vehicle and forecasts of key automotive electronics trends. The event also will have more than 190 exhibits showing off advanced automotive electronics technology.

“It's really an international forum with our partners from Japan and also from Europe. This adds significant value for all of us,” says Schmidt. He is passionate about the upcoming program and has been heavily involved with its development, working closely with conference director Denise (Denny) Freitag.

Even though the event is in October, Schmidt and Freitag, who have preparations running like a well-oiled machine, first met with Ward's in early January to tout this year's theme: “Vehicle Electronics to Digital Mobility: The Next Generation of Convergence.”

Sessions already announced will cover topics such as:

Convergence 2004 will be held Oct. 18-20 at the Cobo Conference and Event Center in downtown Detroit, and organizers are expecting close to 10,000 attendees.

Proceeds from the event fund the Convergence Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports elementary and secondary educational programs for student scientists and engineers. Details and registration information are available online at: www.convergence2004.org.