Connect2Car: Transforming the Mobility Experience – Exploring New Frontiers

The 26th annual Connect2Car at CES explores the the mobility experience as it continues to evolve as does the experience. We explore a future where transportation is intelligent, interconnected, and no longer limited to the automobile.

This year’s event will cover these important and thought-provoking topics:

Automotive AI – Unleashing New Possibilities & Experiences

Description: Creating opportunities for collaboration within the Automotive AI community can be challenging but generative AI potentially can help the mobility and connected vehicle achieve a safer and more intuitive experience for both driver and passengers.
Moderator: John Ellis – President USA & Head of Product - Codethink
Presenter: Madison Beebe – Director Software/Tech Strategy – Ford Motor Co.
Presenter: Yansong Chen – Ph.D. PMP – Founder and CEO - ROPIX LLC
Presenter: Maurice Dantzler – Executive Director - Cummins
Presenter: Rebeca Delgado – Vice President Autonomy Al - Torc Robotics
Presenter: Professor Dirk Slama – Vice President - Bosch
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:40 AM

Transforming the Vehicle Experience – Exploring New Frontiers

Description: The acceleration of new technology integration to vehicles - like AI, Augmented Reality, Computer Vision, Immersive Experiences, Real-time 3D, Gamification and more - continue to enhance and expand the consumer experience. Attend this session to gain deeper insight into how to plan, design, develop, and engineer for experiences that build loyalty, stand-out from the crowd, and matter most to consumers. Learn about the opportunities and impact of strategic partnerships, regional differences, and deep collaboration in delivering meaningful experiences.
Moderator: Parrish Hanna – Global Director – N-Dream | KPIT
Presenter: Nicole Johnson – UX Manager – Scout
Presenter: Daniel Grossman – Former CEO Chariot (Ford) & COO Maven (GM)
Presenter: Trent Wheeler – Head of Innovation – Gracenote
Presenter: Taru Barth – Director – Qt Group
Presenter: Eric Wood – SVP Vehicle Experience – 42dot
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM

Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) – From Vision to Reality

Description: The Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) has rapidly progressed beyond a theoretical concept. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 suppliers, software developers, and engineering service providers are engaging in collaborative efforts to develop next-generation software-centric architectures. These architectures aim to enable a new range of hyper-personalized consumer experiences. To successfully navigate this transition, it is essential to focus on software commercialization, which involves establishing new partnerships, refining product development processes, standardizing common data models, creating scalable software solutions, and generating new revenue streams. This panel will discuss the challenges and collaborative opportunities within the supply chain to address these issues collectively, moving away from the traditional commodity-based approach of the past.
Moderator: Matt Jones – Executive Director - Global Technology Platforms - Ford Motor Company
Presenter: John Heinlein, Ph.D – Chief Marketing Officer – Sonatus
Presenter: Johan Lundén – Chief Executive Officer – Coretura
Presenter: Tim Yerdon – Executive Director - SAE Industry Technologies Consortia
Presenter: Aurora Sere-Schneider – VP Automotive IT Engineering – AUMOVIO
Presenter: Judy Curran – Chief Technology Officer - Automotive – Synopsys
Presenter: Maria Anhalt – Chief Executive Officer – Elektrobit
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM

The State of In-Vehicle Payment – Trends, Challenges & Opportunities

Description: The automotive and payments industries are converging rapidly, bringing new opportunities and challenges for in-vehicle payment (IVP) solutions. This panel brings together experts from OEMs, payment providers, authentication specialists, and technology leaders.
Moderator: Suzanne Murtha – Vice President Global Advanced Mobility, Payment Systems and Automation - AECOM
Presenter: Tom Nipper – Head of Sales, North America Energy & Auto Mobility - J.P. Morgan
Presenter: Cathi Chinn – Vice President Innovation - Verra Mobility
Presenter: Cynthia Hollen – Vice President Innovation - Mavi.io
Presenter: John Moon – Managing Director IVP - Mochanix
Presenter: Mohamed Abouelenin – Vice President Product Architecture & Acceptance - Mastercard
Presenter: Jens Kohnen – Co-Founder – Starfish
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6
Time: 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

Automotive Cybersecurity – The Road Ahead

Description: Automotive cybersecurity and privacy is crucial because it protects vehicle occupants, their data, and the vehicle itself from malicious cyberattacks. As vehicles become more connected and reliant on software, the potential attack surface expands, making robust cybersecurity measures and the use of AI essential. AI plays a crucial role in automotive cybersecurity by enabling faster, more accurate, and proactive threat detection and mitigation.
Moderator: Jennifer Dukarski – Emerging Technology, Automotive & Media Attorney – Butzel Long
Presenter: Chuck Brokish – Director Automotive Security - Green Hills Software
Presenter: Joby Jester – Associate Partner – Automotive Security - IBM
Presenter: Jennifer Tisdale – Senior Director – Upstream Security
Presenter: Karl Heimer – Founder CyberAuto Challenge, Co-Founder CyberTruck Challenge
Presenter: John Heldreth – Founder & CEO - Automotive Security Research Group
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6
Time: 2:00 PM – 2:40 PM

Seeking Success - Startups to Unicorns

Description: Startups are at the heart of innovation. They are unburdened by legacy systems or outdated practices, giving them the flexibility to explore new ideas and experiment with unconventional solutions. Hear from PLUG and PLAY, a few unicorns and up and coming mobility startups on building the next generation of technologies that are changing the mobility landscape as we know it.
Style: Hosted by PLUG and PLAY
Moderator: Logan Azelton – Director of Detroit Innovation at PLUG and PLAY Tech Center
Presenter: Saeed Amidi* – Founder & Chief Executive Officer at PLUG and PLAY Tech Center
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6
Time: 3:00 PM – 3:40 PM

*Speakers that are awaiting confirmation.