Barcelona, October 9, 2025
News Summary
The World Mobility Conference 2025 in Barcelona convened industry leaders to discuss innovations and challenges in the automotive sector. Key topics included sustainability, AI integration, and vehicle testing methodologies. Notable speakers included CEOs from major car manufacturers. The event underscored the automotive industry’s shift towards software-defined vehicles and the increasing importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
Barcelona hosted the annual World Mobility Conference (WMC) 2025 from June 3-5, bringing together key players from the global engineering sector to discuss innovations and challenges in vehicle development. This year’s conference focused on a range of critical topics, including technology in mobility, industry disruptions, sustainability, regulations, public trust, and human factors related to vehicle safety and performance.
The conference featured keynote addresses from prominent figures, including the CEOs of major automotive companies such as Hyundai Motor Company, VinFast, and Chery. These industry leaders shared insights on the direction of vehicle technology and sustainable practices in the automotive sector.
Technical sessions were also held, concentrating on advanced methodologies in vehicle design and testing. Notable topics included model-based system engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in product development, vehicle simulation, and durability testing. These sessions aimed to equip attendees with the latest tools and knowledge necessary for modern vehicle engineering.
FISITA, the organization behind the conference, is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion titled “Driving validation: The nexus of physical testing, digital twins, and global data in the age of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and electrification” at the upcoming Automotive Testing Expo North America from October 21-23, 2025. This panel will further explore how digital and physical testing methods can converge to enhance vehicle validation.
Jose Manuel Barrios, an executive board member of FISITA, emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and holistic intelligence in the mobility sector. He noted the significance of cross-border collaboration to tackle environmental issues and enhance access to new technologies in vehicle development.
Additionally, Xavier Roca Ramon, representing the government of Catalonia, pointed out the increasing importance of sustainability challenges that energy and electronics manufacturers face when entering the automotive market.
Hyundai’s president, José Munoz, stated that Hyundai has set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable automotive practices. Mehdi Ferhan from Volvo Group emphasized the necessity of a change in mindset toward simulation and data integration in vehicle development, presenting a forward-thinking approach to engineering.
Chery Auto’s Jin Shang addressed the issues of AI safety and security in vehicles that incorporate artificial intelligence, particularly concerning costs and data privacy. Other presenters, such as Steve Miller, discussed solutions for improving automotive software quality through the use of large language models, while the XILforEV project highlighted the advantages of distributed co-simulation for electric vehicle design.
The conference also featured Dr. Núria Mata, who introduced APIKS—a modular framework designed for rapid prototyping of automated driving systems. The significance of AI in computer-aided engineering (CAE) was another focal point, particularly in building trust and repeatability in engineering processes.
Moreover, the V4Safety project showcased the effective utilization of simulation within the automotive testing domain, while Applus Idiada announced its new Iris system aimed at ensuring regulatory compliance for automotive products.
Upcoming events were also discussed, including the Future of Automotive Testing Conference, scheduled for October 22, 2025, in Novi, Michigan. This conference will delve into the latest advancements in automotive testing, reflecting the industry’s commitment to maintaining high standards in vehicle safety and performance.
A notable trend within the automotive sector is the significant shift towards software-defined vehicles, which requires the adoption of modern software development techniques. Legacy automakers are facing challenges in adapting to these software-first development environments, necessitating new methodologies for integration. The increasing reliance on AI and effective data management emerged as crucial elements in enhancing vehicle technology and ensuring adequate data acquisition for validation processes. Furthermore, a growing 79% of professionals in the automotive industry reported using open-source tools, revealing an increasing acceptance of the advantages associated with open-source software. However, the need for reinforced cybersecurity measures was highlighted due to the escalating complexity and volume of code in contemporary vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main focus of the World Mobility Conference 2025?
The conference focused on technology in mobility, industry disruption, sustainability, regulations, trust, public acceptance, and human factors related to vehicle safety and performance.
When and where did the World Mobility Conference 2025 take place?
The conference was held from June 3-5, 2025, at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona.
What major topics were discussed at the conference?
Topics covered included advancements in model-based system engineering, AI integration in product development, vehicle simulation, and durability testing.
Who were some of the keynote speakers at the conference?
Keynote addresses were delivered by CEOs from companies like Hyundai Motor Company, VinFast, and Chery.
What future events related to automotive testing were mentioned?
The Future of Automotive Testing Conference is set to take place on October 22, 2025, in Novi, Michigan.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Automotive Testing Technology International
- Wikipedia: Vehicle Development
- DBusiness
- Google Search: U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Symposium
- WardsAuto
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Software-Defined Vehicle
- Free Press
- Google News: Michigan Arsenal of Democracy Conference
- Automotive Testing Technology International
- Google Scholar: Automotive Testing Expo
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