WillowTree Apps Founder & CTO comments on future connectivity trends

What do you see as the major challenges impacting in vehicle infotainment at the moment?

I believe that there are two significant challenges for the automotive industry when it comes to vehicle infotainment. First,  it takes a long time to get technology to a point where it is released in cars. The obvious reason for that is, of course, because of safety. For example, have you ever had your car reboot? No. The amount of time it takes for tested, bullet proof technology to reach the car is a lot slower than the pace of change for connected things, the challenge is finding a balance between the speed of innovation and bringing it the consumer in a constructed way in the car.

The second major challenge is finding a way to build a vibrant and rich developer ecosystem. The majority of innovation in the world of mobile comes from developers but there are really only one or two major platforms to focus on. And there is also a viable marketplace for developers to make a living innovating. If the automotive industry does not embrace this opportunity by standardising, either through a single platform or open standards, they will be left on the sidelines while others capitalize on the medium. A perfect example is the TV manufacturers who are so fragmented that a developer community cannot take root.

What are you most looking forward to about the event?

I am most looking forward to immersing myself with the experts and gaining a better understanding of what we need to be doing. I am also keen to learn from what people are already doing in this space. It is a huge opportunity for me to talk to these leaders face to face.

Download the full interview here!

Our multi-industry speaker faculty includes:

• Simon Euringer, Head of ConnectedDrive, BMW
• David Earle, Head of Automotive Systems, McLaren
• Johannes Heichel, Manager of Product Planning R&D Centre, Hyundai Motor Europe
• David Simcox, Program Manager, In-Vehicle & SYNC IT Europe, Ford
• Frank McCullough, Electrical Research Technology Delivery Manager – Infotainment & Telematics, Jaguar Land Rover
• Eva Buschkrei, International Business Integration Manager for Audi Connect, Audi
• Ian Kendall, Manager – Infotainment, Bentley
• Alan Bennett, Chief Engineer Electrical & Electronics, Aston Martin
• Peter Virk, Infotainment Technical Specialist - Apps, CE & Connected Infotainment, Jaguar Land Rover
• Pascal de Mul, Global Head of Hardware Partnerships, Spotify
• Michael Prichard, Founder & CTO, WillowTree Apps
• Pavan Mathew, Global Head of Automotive Telematics, Telefónica
• Stephane Petti, Automotive Business Development Director, International M2M Center, Orange Business Services
• Eugene Tsyrklevich, CEO, Parkopedia
• Rob van der Berg, Navigation Technical Specialist, Jaguar Land Rover
• Margareta Löfvenholm, Feature Specialist Driver Interface HMI, Volvo Trucks
• Duncan Robertson, APC Research Department - Ergonomist / HMI Specialist, Jaguar Land Rover
• Phillip Proctor, Principal Intelligent Transport Systems Advisor, Highways Agency
• Pawel Stelmaszczyk, Director General of Mobility & Transport, European Commission
• Prof. Uwe Baumgarten, Technical Institute of Munich
• Dr. Mark Searle, Vice President of Development, Symphony Teleca
• Shane Rooney, Executive Director – Smart Cities, Transport & mAutomotive, GSMA

If you are working in infotainment and the connected car then this is the event to attend.

Register your place online here today – to ensure you don’t miss out.