Convergence(R) 2004 Sessions to Tackle the Challenges of Rapidly Evolving Auto Electronics Field

Sessions and white papers to examine digital mobility and the next generation of Convergence

DEARBORN, Mich., June 23 -- Looking more like a tech fest than an auto symposium, Convergence 2004's just-announced list of technical sessions is positioned to rev up the world's premier automotive electronics conference. Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Convergence 2004 chair and vice president of Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Company, announced this year's session topics today.

"Convergence 2004's program offers the greatest fusion of state-of-the-art automotive and electronics engineering to date," says Schmidt. "Through our work together, we are pushing automotive technology to the next level and helping the industry move closer to delivering technology's promise of safe, fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles."

The sessions are part of the biennial Convergence conference held this year from Oct. 18-20 at Cobo Conference Center in Detroit. Keynote speakers, panel discussions and an exhibition featuring nearly 200 technical exhibits punctuate the technical programming each day at the conference. Activities begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18 with keynote speeches followed by the Blue Ribbon Panel. Sessions begin Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., and are scheduled mornings and afternoons Tuesday, Oct. 19 and Wednesday, Oct. 20. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. both days. Topics, chairs and companies are:

1. Mobil Digital Entertainment: A Revolution in the Media Industry - Robert Schumacher, Delphi

2. Automotive On & Off Board Diagnostics - Günter Hertel, DaimlerChrysler

3. Supply Chain Management in the Digital World - Brian Althaver, Jabil Circuit

4. User Interface Challenges Amid the Increasing Complexity of Automotive Interiors - Jim Geschke, Johnson Controls

5. Systems Architecture: Physical Structures - Peter Thoma, ELMOS Semiconductor

6. Impact of Consumer Electronics on Automotive Electronics - John Fikany, Microsoft

  7.  Systems Architecture: Software - Meg Selfe, IBM
  8.  X-by-Wire - Aly Badaway, TRW
  9.  Business Process Transformations Needed - Raj Desai, IBM
  10.  Active Safety - Dave Baxter, Toyota Technical Center
  11.  Powertrain - Dieter Bergmann, BMW

12. Balancing Mobility Features with Cost, Quality - Ben Baker, General Motors

13. Digitally Driving & Consumer Value - Reiner Emig, Robert Bosch Corporation

14. Regulatory & Environmental Impacts - John German, American Honda Motor Company

15. Rate of Change in Electronics v. Other Industries - Jim Buczkowski, Ford Motor Company

Designed to support the theme of Convergence 2004, "Vehicle Electronics to Digital Mobility: The Next Generation of Convergence," sessions will address hot button issues such as safety, driver distraction, evolving business models and changing supply chains. A record 85 white papers will be presented at this year's conference, which is expected to draw more than 9,000 automotive and electronics business leaders and technologists.

"Thirty years ago, Convergence attendees discussed meeting tougher safety and fuel economy standards via electronics," says Schmidt. "Back then, Convergence was a way to bridge the gap between electronic and automotive engineering disciplines. Today, Convergence is a highly-evolved conversation among the world's leading automotive and electronic experts working to make automobiles safe, sustainable and digitally connected."

In addition to the technical sessions, Convergence 2004 will feature the following keynote speakers: William Clay Ford Jr., chairman of the board and CEO of Ford (invited); Nicholas Donofrio, senior vice president of Technology and Manufacturing at IBM; Franz Fehrenbach, chairman of the board of management at Robert Bosch GmbH; Carl-Peter Forster, president of General Motors Europe, managing director and chairman of Adam Opel; Mitsuo Matsushita, president and COO of DENSO International America; and Robert Peugeot, executive vice president of Peugeot.

Three interactive panel discussions are planned and will cover the migration of consumer electronics into the vehicle and resulting increase of driver distractions, a forecast of key automotive electronic trends, and, to honor 30 years of Convergence, a look at how Convergence has helped shape the past, present and future of vehicle electronics.

Convergence 2004 Gold Sponsors include Ford Motor Company, Bosch Corporation, Delphi, DENSO International America, Freescale Semiconductor, General Motors Corporation, IBM, Toyota Motor Corporation and Yazaki North America. In 2002, Convergence attracted more than 8,000 attendees and nearly 200 media from around the world. This year, Ford has boosted exhibition space, accepted more white papers and organized more technical sessions than ever before.

Ford Motor Company is hosting and organizing Convergence 2004. Proceeds from the conference benefit the Convergence Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to support education in mathematics and science among disadvantaged school-aged children.

Complete session information, and registration, is available online at http://www.convergence2004.org/ .