Thomas Lennartz is the Head of Vehicle Concepts & HMI at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) at RWTH Aachen University. In this role, he leads a team addressing the current challenges of future mobility. With a background in automotive engineering, Thomas specializes in research within the emerging field of HMI development. He is actively engaged in public research projects focused on designing automated shuttles as a novel mode of public transport. Recognizing that mobility extends beyond traditional vehicles, he collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to explore innovative concepts in micro-mobility, aiming to introduce unprecedented flexibility in modern freight transport through the utilization of delivery robots. Thomas prioritizes user experience, understanding it as a pivotal factor influencing the acceptance of new technology in public spaces. Additionally, he has led projects developing optimal remote interaction concepts for automotive cockpits, investigating intuitive and less distracting interaction models for future vehicle designs.

Matthis is a Research Associate and Team Lead for Vehicle Concepts at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika), RWTH Aachen University. He specializes in user-centric automotive design and new vehicle differentiation, researching on algorithmic evaluation methods for interiors, new interior use cases, and corresponding interaction technologies. As supervisor of “Cooperative Product Development in Automotive Engineering,” he guides students in applying user-focused principles and creating new fresh vehicle concepts. Having co-authored the ERTRAC Vision 2050 and serving as Innovation Manager at innocam.NRW, he brings together diverse research perspectives aiming at making mobility fun, sustainable and affordable.

As part of RWTH Aachen University, the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) researches the complete vehicle including its systems and their interactions. From the initial idea to innovative component and system concepts to vehicle prototypes, the Institute's staff actively design solutions for tomorrow's mobility. To this end, we work together in public and bilateral projects with and for manufacturers and suppliers with an automotive focus to ensure that future mobility will continue to be safe, efficient and attractive.

As part of RWTH Aachen University, the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) researches the complete vehicle including its systems and their interactions. From the initial idea to innovative component and system concepts to vehicle prototypes, the Institute's staff actively design solutions for tomorrow's mobility. To this end, we work together in public and bilateral projects with and for manufacturers and suppliers with an automotive focus to ensure that future mobility will continue to be safe, efficient and attractive.