Knowledge & Network Accelerator
October 28 at Automotive Campus Helmond

Smart mobility

From connected technologies to real-world impact

Smart mobility is transforming how people and goods move through our cities and regions. Advances in connected, cooperative and automated mobility are creating opportunities for safer, more efficient and more sustainable transportation systems. Yet turning promising innovations into large-scale impact remains a challenge.

At this Knowledge Table, led by TNO, latest insights and experiences in developing and validating smart mobility solutions will be shared. Together you will try to bridge the gap between research, industry and public authorities, and TNO works to accelerate the deployment of technologies that enable connected vehicles, intelligent infrastructure and data-driven mobility services.

Together, we will explore a central question: How can research, technology and collaboration accelerate the transition from innovative mobility concepts to real-world applications that deliver societal and economic value?

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Trusted Autonomy

How do we prove automated driving is safe enough?

Automated driving systems are becoming increasingly capable, but proving their safety remains one of the biggest barriers to large-scale deployment. While AI enables vehicles to handle a growing range of situations, the challenge is no longer only technological. It is also about validation, trust and regulatory acceptance.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore what is needed to demonstrate that autonomous systems can operate safely in complex and unpredictable environments. Which traffic scenarios are still insufficiently understood? What test data is required to train and validate AI-driven decision-making? How do we deal with rare but critical edge cases? And what assessment methods can provide confidence to regulators, industry and society?

The discussion will focus on the development of robust validation frameworks, simulation environments, real-world testing approaches and safety assurance methodologies. Participants will examine how industry, research institutes and policymakers can work together to create evidence-based pathways towards deployment.

Together, we address a central question:

Which validation methods, datasets and safety frameworks are still missing to enable the large-scale adoption of trusted automated driving systems?

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Battery Intelligence & Interoperable Data

Enabling smarter battery management through trusted data

Battery Management Systems (BMS) are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using advanced algorithms to predict battery health, optimize performance and extend battery lifetime. However, comparing the effectiveness of these algorithms remains difficult. Different datasets, testing conditions and evaluation methods make it challenging to assess performance objectively and benchmark solutions across the industry.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore how interoperable data and standardized assessment methods can accelerate innovation in battery intelligence. Which reference datasets are needed to evaluate BMS algorithms consistently? What performance indicators and benchmarks should be used to compare different approaches? How can stakeholders ensure data quality while enabling secure data sharing across the battery value chain?

The discussion will focus on creating a common foundation for battery data, validation and benchmarking. Participants will examine how manufacturers, technology providers, researchers and end users can work together to establish trusted frameworks that support innovation and transparency.

LinkedIn: Better battery algorithms need better ways to prove they work. At this Knowledge Table, we explore how interoperable data, reference datasets and shared benchmarks can make Battery Management System performance easier to compare and trust. Are you working on battery data, BMS development or validation? Join the discussion and help build a common foundation for battery intelligence. #BatteryIntelligence #BatteryData #BMS #AutomotiveCampus

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Campus Energy Hub

Creating room for growth within a congested energy system

As campuses, industrial sites and mobility hubs continue to electrify, energy infrastructure is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for growth. Rising demand from electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, buildings and industrial processes places growing pressure on local grids, while available grid capacity remains constrained.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore how smart charging, energy storage, local renewable generation and flexibility solutions can work together as an integrated energy system. Example projects such as GENIUS, BACH and the proposed DC-SYNC project, in which Automotive Campus is also involved, provide concrete starting points for this discussion. How can organizations optimize the use of available capacity? Which technologies and control strategies can help balance supply and demand in real time? And how can energy hubs create the flexibility needed to support future growth without waiting for costly grid expansions?

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Connecting Battery Cell Technologies with Module & Pack Design

Bridging innovation from cell to system level

Battery performance is determined by more than the cell alone. The true challenge lies in translating advances in cell technology into reliable, scalable and cost-effective battery modules and packs. As new chemistries, materials and manufacturing methods emerge, stronger integration between cell developers and system designers becomes essential.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore how innovation at cell level influences module and pack design, and vice versa. How can thermal management, safety, manufacturability and lifecycle performance be considered from the earliest stages of development? Which design choices enable faster industrialization, lower costs and improved performance? And how can closer collaboration across the battery value chain accelerate innovation?

Special attention will be given to the role of the Open Battery Innovation Centre (OBIC), which will be established at Automotive Campus. OBIC aims to bring together knowledge, testing capabilities and industry expertise to strengthen battery innovation and accelerate the development of next-generation battery technologies.

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Secure communication in the quantum era

From quantum-safe theory to real-world deployment

Quantum-safe communication aims to address the threat posed by quantum computers, which are likely to break current public-key cryptography, and to protect our long-term sensitive data against attacks such as ‘harvest now, decrypt later’. To prepare for this risk, two solutions are being actively investigated in both academia and industry – quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This knowledge table takes a deep dive into these solutions, discussing how they can complement each other to secure future communications and how they are implemented in a real testbed – the Quantum Communication Testbed NL (QuCT NL), a field-deployed infrastructure in the Eindhoven area with the purpose of providing an open and accessible environment for testing and validating QKD and quantum-safe communication.

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Quantum Computing Software

Bridging Quantum Science and Industry

Quantum computing is moving from the lab towards real-world applications. At this table, together with Subject Owner Gijs Hijmans, participants will explore how quantum algorithms, software, and emerging hardware are creating new opportunities across industries. We will discuss the current state of quantum computing, the challenges that remain, and what is needed to translate scientific breakthroughs into practical applications and business value.

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Beyond Battery Lifetime

What if EV truck batteries reach 20,000 charging cycles?

Then it may not just be the technology that changes, but the entire business model. If a battery outlasts the truck itself, the focus shifts from battery replacement to maximizing the value of the energy storage asset. Think battery-as-a-service, trucks generating revenue by providing flexibility services to the electricity grid, and new ways of assessing value through True Cost Accounting, capturing not only financial costs but also environmental and societal impacts.

The real question is no longer: How long will the battery last? Instead, it becomes: How can we extract the maximum value from it over several decades?

From transport vehicle to mobile energy storage system. From cost center to revenue generator. From purchase price to true societal value.

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Collaboration with TU/e Smart Campus & Living Labs

Transforming Buildings into Data-Driven Innovation Platforms

How can a campus become a real-world environment for innovation? This Knowledge Table explores how smart buildings, operational data and living lab methodologies can bring researchers, technology developers and end users together.

Drawing on experiences from TU/e Smart Campus and BACH, we will discuss how buildings can serve as testing grounds for new technologies, enabling innovations to be developed, validated and improved in a real operational setting. By connecting daily operations with research and experimentation, campuses can accelerate the transition from promising ideas to practical solutions.

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Circularity in Complex High-Tech Systems

Turning circular ambitions into scalable business practice

Companies that develop and assemble complex high-tech systems face unique challenges when implementing circularity. Unlike consumer products, systems such as advanced manufacturing equipment, logistics automation solutions and high-tech machinery are built from thousands of interconnected components, often operating for decades. While the potential value of circular business models is clear, translating circular ambitions into day-to-day business practice remains a significant challenge.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore how circularity can be embedded into the development, operation and lifecycle management of complex high-tech systems. What insights can circularity assessments provide? How can organizations develop viable business models for refurbishment, reuse and remanufacturing? Which reverse logistics structures are required to recover valuable components and materials? And how can companies develop realistic transition roadmaps towards more circular operations?

The discussion will also examine the broader ecosystem required to accelerate change. What responsibilities lie with companies themselves, and what support is needed from policymakers, customers, research organizations and innovation ecosystems?

Participants will share experiences, challenges and lessons learned from implementing circular strategies in practice.

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Vehicle Cybersecurity Lifecycle Management

Securing vehicles from deployment to end-of-life

Modern vehicles are increasingly software-defined, connected and continuously updated throughout their operational lifetime. As connectivity grows, cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a one-time development activity. It has become a lifecycle responsibility that extends from vehicle design and deployment to operation, maintenance and end-of-life management.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore how OEMs, suppliers and operators can work together to ensure cybersecurity across the entire vehicle lifecycle. How should responsibilities for software updates, vulnerability management and security monitoring be organized? Which processes are needed to detect and respond to cyber incidents effectively? And how can stakeholders maintain security throughout years of operation while managing increasingly complex software ecosystems?

The discussion will focus on collaboration models, governance structures and practical approaches for maintaining trust in connected vehicles. Participants will examine the challenges of coordinating cybersecurity activities across multiple organizations, while meeting evolving regulatory requirements and customer expectations.

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Electric Aviation & Drone Infrastructure

Building the energy ecosystem for the next dimension of mobility

Electric aviation and drones are rapidly moving from experimentation to real-world deployment. From cargo drones and autonomous aerial services to electric regional aircraft, these technologies promise to transform how people and goods move. However, large-scale adoption depends on more than vehicle innovation alone. It requires a supporting ecosystem of charging infrastructure, energy management, operations and regulation.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore the challenges and opportunities of building the infrastructure needed for the next generation of air mobility. How can charging and energy systems support growing numbers of electric aircraft and drones? What are the implications for airports, mobility hubs and local energy networks? Which standards, operational concepts and collaboration models are needed to enable safe and scalable deployment?

The focus will be on the interaction between vehicle technology, energy infrastructure and operational ecosystems. Participants will examine how industry, researchers and public authorities can accelerate the transition from pilots and demonstrations to commercially viable air mobility solutions.

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4th Generation University

From knowledge push to demand-driven innovation

Universities have long played a crucial role in creating new knowledge and technological breakthroughs. Traditionally, research has followed a "push" model, where scientific discoveries find their way into society and industry. However, many of today's societal and technological challenges require a different approach: one in which industry, governments and society actively shape the research agenda of the future.

At this Knowledge Table, we explore the concept of the 4th Generation University and the transition from knowledge push to demand-driven innovation. How can companies and societal stakeholders proactively identify the research questions that will matter in five, ten or twenty years? What new forms of collaboration are needed between researchers, industry and public organizations? And how can innovation ecosystems ensure that research not only creates scientific impact, but also contributes directly to economic competitiveness and societal progress?

The discussion will focus on new partnership models, challenge-driven research programmes and ecosystem approaches that connect long-term scientific excellence with real-world needs and opportunities.

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Direct Current Grids & Energy Hubs
Accelerating electrification with DC-powered energy ecosystems

As electrification accelerates, energy systems are facing increasing pressure from growing demand, renewable energy integration and grid congestion. At the same time, many modern energy assets, including solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and industrial equipment, inherently operate on direct current (DC). Connecting these devices through traditional AC grids therefore requires multiple AC–DC and DC–AC conversion steps, each adding losses, cost and hardware complexity. This raises an important question: are we still using the most efficient energy architecture?

At this Knowledge Table, we explore the role of Direct Current (DC) in creating more efficient, flexible and resilient energy systems. Special attention will be given to the DC SYNC project (a collaboration between the Technical University of Eindhoven and the Automotive Campus), an initiative that investigates how DC-based energy networks can support electrification, reduce energy conversion losses and help address grid congestion challenges. By connecting generation, storage and consumption more intelligently, DC systems may unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.

Participants will discuss practical applications of DC technology, from industrial sites and energy hubs to charging infrastructure and local energy communities. What are the technical and economic benefits? Think of fewer conversion stages and lower energy losses, reduced cabling costs, and a single centralised inverter for grid interaction instead of one synchronisation unit per device. DC microgrids also offer resilience benefits: they can seamlessly switch to islanded mode during outages, prioritising critical loads such as research equipment and data centres. Which barriers remain for adoption? Key challenges include advanced control and stability under variable renewable generation, DC fault detection and protection, and the standardisation of DC voltage levels and interoperability. And how can DC become part of the solution for a more sustainable and future-proof energy system?

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Digital Twins with Proven Value

Turning data and models into better decisions

Digital twins are increasingly used to support the design, operation and optimization of complex technical systems. At this Knowledge Table, led by Steven Wilkins (TU/e and TNO), we explore how digital twins can support decision-making throughout the lifecycle of complex systems within the rapidly changing Automotive Industry. Drawing on experience in powertrain development, battery systems, modelling and simulation, the discussion will focus on the practical use of digital twins to predict performance, evaluate scenarios and optimize system behaviour before decisions are implemented in the real world.

Participants will explore which decisions can genuinely be improved through digital twins, what level of model fidelity is required, and which data is essential to generate actionable insights.

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Slim Laden op Beperkte Capaciteit (note: dit tafelgesprek zal in het Nederlands worden gevoerd)
Flexibiliteit creëren in het ecosysteem van elektrische mobiliteit

Naarmate elektrische mobiliteit verder groeit, ligt de uitdaging niet langer alleen in het toevoegen van meer laadinfrastructuur, maar vooral in het slimmer benutten van de beschikbare energie. Door de toenemende druk op het elektriciteitsnet moeten laadoplossingen flexibeler, responsiever en beter geïntegreerd worden met lokale energiesystemen.

Aan deze Kennistafel verkennen we het concept van een dynamisch laadplein dat zich continu aanpast aan de beschikbare netcapaciteit en lokale energiebronnen. Snelladen, regulier laden en bidirectioneel laden komen samen in één geïntegreerd systeem, ondersteund door duurzame energieopwekking, energieopslag en intelligente gebruikersondersteuning. In plaats van iedere laadsessie gelijk te behandelen, wordt de beschikbare energie dynamisch verdeeld op basis van vraag, prioriteiten en de actuele situatie binnen het energiesysteem.

De discussie richt zich op de vraag hoe dynamische laadconcepten kunnen bijdragen aan een maximaal gebruik van de beschikbare capaciteit, het verminderen van de druk op het elektriciteitsnet en het verhogen van de efficiëntie van laadinfrastructuur. Deelnemers verkennen de technologieën, energiemanagementstrategieën en gebruikersinteracties die nodig zijn om een flexibel en toekomstbestendig laadlandschap te realiseren.