The ITB Group’s Smart Automotive Surfaces Conference, which concluded on September 12th brought key tier and materials suppliers, and OEM leaders together to address and explore the latest developments and trends impacting interior and exterior components, materials, processes, applications, and advanced user experience transformations.
13 presentations in four sessions filled the day with thought-provoking topics and provided strategic insights into the future of mobility. The keynote presentation was given by Michael Rowe of Toyota on “Advances in Smart Automotive Technologies and New Opportunities”. Other insightful presentations were provided by Cathay Biotech, Marelli, PolyIC, Covestro, KURZ, Novares, Antolin, Forvia, ams-Osram, and Preh.
Participants took part in Q&A sessions and networking breaks, building relationships with customers and expanding their contact base. The exhibit booths featured company innovations by Covestro, Kurz, and Cathay Biotech, and served as a platform for meaningful client interactions.
Planning for our 2025 conference is already underway and we encourage key companies to become part of the action and leverage our platform to showcase developments and technologies in smart surfaces. Options to become a presenter, sponsor, and exhibitor are available and details will be shared soon. For inquiries about future conferences or participation opportunities, please contact Mr. Bryan Eldredge, Program Director – Conferences, at beldredge@itbgroup.com or call +1 (248) 380-6310.
Other upcoming ITB Events:
Critical Technologies for Sustainable Vehicle Production
Date: In-Person February 26 and 27, 2025
Location: Novi, Michigan, USA
Summary: Developments shaping interior, exterior, and powertrain applications, materials, vehicle recycling (including advanced batteries), dismantling, and manufacturing processes.
Advanced Mobility Fuels Summit USA 2025 - details coming soon
Date: In-Person March 20, 2025
Location: Novi, Michigan, USA
Summary: Focused on the latest trends and technologies in gaseous and liquid fuel-based powertrains, storage, and delivery systems. Hydrogen as a fuel vector, e-fuels, traditional fuels, exhaust and evaporative emission reduction developments, and evolving fuel system designs and materials will be highlighted.
Automotive Battery Pack Integration 2025 - details coming soon (view the 2024 event)
Date: June 2025
Location: Novi, Michigan, USA
Summary: Solutions for integrating battery pack component functions, to simplify designs, and reduce or eliminate materials while continually ensuring safety requirements.
Thermal Management Systems and Materials 2025 - details coming soon (view the 2024 event)
Date: June 2025
Location: Novi, Michigan, USA
Summary: Innovations in thermal solutions including electrified drive and battery systems, passenger cabin comfort and safety systems, and conventional powertrain heating and cooling technologies.
CONFERENCE AGENDA - September 12, 2024
7:30 a.m. |
Registration, Networking, and Continental Breakfast
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8:30 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Darren Nowak, Director - Research and Analysis - The ITB Group
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Smart Enablers
8:40 a.m. |
Innovative Continuous Fiberglass Reinforced Bio-based Polyamide Composite for Automotive Applications
Alex Kedo, International Polyamide Development - Cathay Biotech
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9:00 a.m. |
Digital Detox Cabin
Brian Bober, Product Manager Instrument Panel & Eco Interiors - Marelli
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9:30 a.m. |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Advances in Automotive Technologies and New Opportunities
Dr. Michael Rowe, Principal Scientist - Toyota Motor Company
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10:10 a.m. |
Networking Break
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Functional Integration
10:50 a.m. |
Plastic-based Display Stacks in Automotive HMI Applications
Gerhard Scheuing, Product Manager Automotive, Senior Expert Touch Sensor Systems - PolyIC
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11:10 a.m. |
Evolution on Decorative and Structural Parts with Functional Integration
Mark Bondi, Senior Application Development Engineer - Covestro
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11:30 a.m. |
A Perspective on Film Decoration Needs and Solutions (Next 5 Years)
Paul Rye, Sales Manager - KURZ Transfer Products
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11:50 a.m. |
ActivPlastics
Hugo Mestre, Group Innovation Director - Novares
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12:10 p.m. |
Lunch
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Future to Series Production
1:25 p.m. |
Sunrise: A New Horizon of Integration
Javier Cuadrado, Business Development Technology Solutions - Antolin
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1:55 p.m. |
Development of Artificial Muscles for Interior Surfaces
Erin Rutledge, Program Coordinator, Future Mobility Research Department -Toyota Motor Company
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2:25 p.m. |
Surfaces Can Still Be Smart: Leveraging Interiors for Intuitive User
Experience
Maggie Kasper, Surface Activation Sales Manager - Forvia
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2:55 p.m. |
Networking Break
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Lighting and Haptics
3:25 p.m. |
Software Defined Lighting Choreography with an Open System Protocol (OSP)
Michael Godwin, Director Automotive Applications - ams Osram
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3:45 p.m. |
Innovative Optical-Electronic Systems: Realizing Light Effects and Perception
Dr. Matthias Lust, Head of Pre-Development and Patent Management - Preh
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4:15 p.m. |
New High-Luminance Segmented Display Technology for HMI and Smart Surface Applications
Dr. Uli Hiller, Erwin Lang, Michael Jobst, Daniel Kraus, Sebastian Wittmann, Andreas Dobner, Manuel Walch, and Franziska Rausch - ams Osram
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4:45 p.m. |
Closing Remarks - End of Conference
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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Darren Nowak
Director, Research and Analysis - The ITB Group
Mr. Nowak joined the ITB Group in 2007 and currently operates as Director - Research and Analysis. He is primarily responsible for direct interface with industry participants and building complex business models to facilitate ITB’s mission to assess automotive business and technology change. He has supported and been the lead investigator in many projects involved in interiors, exterior, under the hood, and most recently has concentrated on plastic/electronic integration. Mr. Nowak has over 25 years of experience in automotive, off road and heavy truck applications, including application and standards engineering roles at Eaton Corporation. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations.
Alex Kedo
International Polyamide Development - Cathay Biotech
Mr. Kedo joined Cathay in 2003 and has held a variety of global positions within the sales, marketing, and administration functions. Currently he operates as the VP for International Polyamide Development. Mr. Kedo began his career in technical service and production in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries at G. D. Searle & Co., Monsanto, and Ashland Inc. Mr. Kedo holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois and an MBA in International Business from Dominican University.
Brian Bober
Product Manager Instrument Panel & Eco Interiors - Marelli
Mr. Bober has been with Marelli for 13 years and his current responsibilities include instrument panel product management, new business development, as well as representing the interior group. He has also held various project, design, and engineering roles. Since 2017, he has helped lead Marelli’s new business expansion for interiors, extensively working with the EV market and with established OEMs. Mr. Bober graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degre in Plastics Engineering and an A.A.S. of CAD Drafting & Tool Design.
Dr. Michael Rowe
Principal Scientist - Toyota Motor Company
Dr. Rowe is the Program Manager for North America Advanced Development in Toyota IP Solutions and a Principal Scientist at the Toyota Research Institute of North America. His responsibilities include overseeing the commercialization of proprietary Toyota technologies both in the automotive industry and beyond. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Knox College, and both an MS and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Michigan. His postdoctoral research continues at the University of Michigan. Dr. Rowe holds 137 issued US patents and has authored numerous conference presentations and peer reviewed publications.
Gerhard Scheuing
Product Manager Automotive, Senior Expert Touch Sensor Systems - PolyIC
Mr. Scheuing works as a Product Manager for Automotive Display Applications at PolyIC and is a Senior Expert for touch sensor systems. Previously, he held positions with Robert Bosch and Nokia Mobile Phones, acquiring 18 years of expertise in digital signal processing and device integration for displays and touch modules. Mr. Scheuing graduated from the University of Elm with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Mark Bondi
Senior Application Development Engineer - Covestro
Mr. Bondi is a Senior Application Development Engineer at Covestro where he is focused on the mobility exteriors market. He has spent nearly 10 years in the application development team at Covestro, most recently supporting the electrical/electronics industry. Electronics integration into plastic components as smart surfaces has been a highlight of his technical role in both mobility and electronics. Mr. Bondi holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and an MBA Degree with a focus in data analytics from Robert Morris University. Mr. Bondi is a co-inventor on granted 3 patents.
Paul Rye
Sales Manager - KURZ Transfer Products
Mr. Rye operates as Sales Manager at KURZ Transfer Products, where he leads new business development and commercial interface with US automotive customers. Since 2004 he has held advanced engineering and sales positions at Lear, IAC, and Hella in interior plastics, lighting, and decoration product areas. Prior to repatriating to the US, he also spent 18 years at Jaguar Cars UK in Interior Trim Engineering, Launch, and Program Management roles. Mr. Rye holds a Bachelor’s degree in Automotive Engineering from Loughborough University and a Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering Design from Coventry University.
Hugo Mestre
Group Innovation Director - Novares
After studying mechanical engineering in France (DEA and MS), Mr. Mestre joined the automotive industry at Valeo as a technical product leader and manager. He also worked in the innovation team at Ichikoh Industries in Japan as a project manager and later as a section manager. Mr. Mestre joined Novares in 2023 and currently operates as the Group Innovation Director. He is also a co-author of several patents on lighting.
Javier Cuadrado
Business Development Technology Solutions - Antolin
For over 25 years Mr. Cuadrado has been part of the automotive industry, working in diverse roles such as CAD designer, project manager, and key account manager. Presently, he holds the position of Business Development Manager for lighting and HMI systems at Antolin North America.
Erin Rutledge
Program Coordinator, Future Mobility Research Department -Toyota Motor Company
Ms. Rutledge has been associated with Toyota’s operations since 2020 and currently operates as a Project Coordinator in Toyota IP Solutions, and as a Research Engineer at the Toyota Research Institute of North America. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and is an inventor on multiple US patent applications.
Maggie Kasper
Surface Activation Sales Manager - Forvia
Ms. Kasper has spent the last twelve years working in the automotive industry in the areas of manufacturing, R&D, and sales where she gained in-depth experience with automotive interiors including HMI and surface activation. She currently leads Surface Activation Advanced Sales and Business Development for North American Interior Systems Business Group at Forvia with focus on enhancing UX and creating a more sustainable future. Ms. Kasper holds a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Michigan State University.
Michael Godwin
Director Automotive Applications - ams Osram
Mr. Godwin is director of marketing, application and architecture focusing on the integration of ams OSRAM’s latest sensing emitters and connectivity solutions in the automotive segment. He has held positions as North American director of automotive LED marketing, global marketing lead for automotive interiors in Regensburg and General LED marketing manager in Michigan. Mr. Godwin is a graduate of Michigan Technological University in materials science, Cornell University executive leadership, and GE leadership curriculum. Mr. Godwin has broad experience in LED, sensing, manufacturing, electronics, optics, and materials.
Dr. Matthias Lust
Head of Pre-Development and Patent Management - Preh
Dr. Matthias Lust began his career at Preh in 2005 working with coatings and physical vapor deposition. Since 2011, he is Head of Pre-Development and Patent Management. Dr. Lust studied physics and earned a Ph.D. in surface science and optics. Dr. Lust is the inventor of more than 50 patents in various countries.
Dr. Uli Hiller
Principal Engineer - ams Osram
Dr. Hiller joined ams-Osram in 2008 and is currently a Principal Engineer working on application engineering for automotive LED applications. This includes projection and ALIYOSTM LED-on-foil applications. Dr. Hiller graduated with a degree in Physics from Technische Universität München and holds a Ph.D. in Physics with a focus on film and semiconductor technology from the University of Arizona.
