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Tony Haberman Audio FoundryTony HabermanTony started as a graduate engineer at Lucas working on early digital instrument clusters before moving to technical sales management at ELAC loudspeakers. After Harman acquired ELAC, he advanced through roles in branded audio for European vehicles, eventually leading the Rest of Europe business unit as Senior Director and GM. Since leaving Harman in 2020, Tony has served as a key advisor to the Audio Foundry group.
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"ADVANCING AUTOMOTIVE AUDIO THROUGH INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION"In 2023, we launched Audio Foundry with a simple belief: innovation for automotive interior experiences can’t wait for perfect conditions. It needs a physical space, real tools, and a reason for unlikely collaborators to sit at the same table. Based in Wales, UK, Audio Foundry was created as a collaborative with a makerspace for that exact purpose. A place where new ideas in audio, haptics, hardware, software and materials could move from whiteboard ideas to prototyped systems through hands on iteration.
Since then, we’ve brought together companies like Dirac, Analog Devices, DSP Concepts, MediaTek, Polestar, Grewus, Tymphany, etc., not just to showcase technology, but to explore the whitespaces between disciplines: how a vibration in the seat interacts with voice recognition; how speaker placement affects tactile perception; how to build for sensor fusion systems, not silos.
This talk offers a look into how Audio Foundry is supporting early-stage, multi-sensory product planning for the automotive industry and why giving engineers and designers permission to experiment, fail fast, reiterate, and build physical prototypes might be the most direct path to unlocking truly immersive in-cabin experiences. -
Dr. Peter Horn Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co.Dr. Peter HornPeter holds a PhD (Dr. Ing.) in Acoustics from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen. He joined Brose in 2015 and has since held various positions within advanced development, focusing primarily on electronics and mechatronics. Among other responsibilities, he was in charge of the electronics development for the "Brose Seat Vibration Massage System". Currently, he leads one of the innovation labs within central advanced development, driving the development of new products and technologies.
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"HAPTICS IN AUTOMOTIVE SEATING - INTUITIVE. INTERACTIVE. INNOVATIVE." -
Oliver Schneider University of WaterlooOliver SchneiderOliver Schneider is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management Science and Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research focus is understanding haptic experience design and evaluation, and enabling anyone, anywhere to be able to work with haptic technology to achieve meaningful impact, with application areas including health, accessibility, sustainability, and social justice. Oliver holds a PhD (2017) and MSc (2012) in Computer Science from The University of British Columbia, and BSc Honours (Most Outstanding Graduate in Computer Science) from the University of Saskatchewan. During his PhD, Oliver collaborated with Disney Research on novel haptic interactions as an intern and then consultant; as a post-doc, he worked at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam, Germany. Oliver has received several awards for his research, most recently the Graphics Interface Early Career Researcher Award in 2024, awarded to one HCI researcher annually in Canada.
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"TOWARDS A PRACTICE OF HAPTIC EXPERIENCE DESIGN"Haptic experience (HX) design is the application of experience design applied to haptics, with several barriers that need additional support when compared to other forms of experience design. While some of these barriers have been studied closely (e.g., rapid prototyping tools), there remain major challenges like evaluation of final haptic experiences given different goals and collaboration of interdisciplinary teams. This talk will discuss the state of HX research and design, including emerging best practices in design, collaboration, and evaluation.
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Dr.-Ing. Thorsten Kern TUHHDr.-Ing. Thorsten KernThorsten A. Kern received his Dipl.-Ing. (2002) and Dr.-Ing. (2006) degrees from Darmstadt University of Technology (TUDA), Germany, in the fields of actuator and sensor development for medical human-machine interfaces (HMIs) in applications like minimally invasive surgery and catheterizations. He is currently the director at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Germany, of the Institute for Mechatronics in Mechanics. He previously worked in Automotive Industry at Continental as an R&D manager for interior components, leading a team of 300 engineers worldwide. He joined Continental in 2008 covering various functions with increasing range of responsibility in actuator development, motor devel- opment and active haptic device development before shifting toward R&D management and product manage- ment on Head-Up Displays. Between 2006 and 2008, he was working in parallel in a startup focusing on medical interventions. He is he main editor of the “Engineering Haptic Devices”, meanwhile released in its 3rd edition. He joined Hamburg University of Technology in January 2019. His interests are specifically focused on all types of electromagnetic sensors and actuators and their system integration toward larger motor- or sensor-systems in high-dynamic applications, especially in the context of human-machine-interfaces and the combination of arts and technology. Since 2022 he is vice-president of the EuroHaptics Society. And since 2025 he holds the position of Vice President of Teaching at Hamburg University of Technology.
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„FROM TACTILE FEEDBACK TO INTERACTION SENSORS - THE HIDDEN FUNCTIONS OF VIBROTACTILE ACTUATORS“Understanding and quantifying the performance of vibrotactile actuators is key to their implementation in complex interaction systems. One of the most challenging things is to compensate for their changes in operational behaviour for reproducible tactile experiences, especially when it comes to their dependency on load changes. In the past three years, the Institute of Mechatronics at Hamburg University of Technology not only developed the measurement technology to do generalised analysis on many actuators, but also gathered experience to derive key performance indicators on actuator performances and their dependencies on mechanical influences.
But what happens, if the observed variability would not be considered just an unwanted design weakness, but actually a feature? What options may arise if any actuator could become a sensor capable to quantify human-machine-interaction by measuring mechanical coupling?
In this talk we are going to present our state of research on universal applicable performance metrics to compare vibrotactile actuators. We will show and explain their meaning, and give insight on what to learn from those parameters. Having said that, we will bridge how this understanding can be used to implement sensory functions, demonstrating this feature not only on handheld tools, but also on wearables and other large-scale-human-machine-contacts. -
Eric Vezzoli Razer Inc.Eric VezzoliEric is an entrepreneur with deep technical knowledge with a proven track record in technology strategy and business execution for deep tech and new technology ventures. He now leads technology in Razer overviewing Razer AI, Haptics, Chroma, and Spatial Audio. Eric Vezzoli holds a PhD in Haptics and funded Interhaptics allowing the creation and deployment of HD haptics for any platform. Interhaptics was acquired by Razer in 2022.
He participated to the definition of the MPEG and Open XR haptics standards, and he is at the board of the Haptics Industry Forum.
He has authored more than 50 scientific papers and patents in Haptics and human-machine interaction.SPEAK
"HAPTICS IN GAMING - DESIGN AND LESSON LEARNED WITH SENSA HD HAPTICS"We will explore the lesson learned with the implementation of immersive haptics in AAA games with Sensa HD Haptics, which now counts 100 + integrated games spanning from Sim Racing, to FPS, Combat, or RPGs.
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Dr. Stefan Breitschaft BMWDr. Stefan BreitschaftStefan holds a PhD (Dr. phil) at the Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg since 2024. His PhD work focused on the use of haptic feedback in seamless tangible user interfaces in the automotive space. Since 2021 he has been a Haptics Specialist at BMW Group. He is responsible for the haptic experience of tangible user interfaces in BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce vehicles. Through his academic and applied work, he gained experience in working with various haptic technologies and how to effectively design haptic experiences around the cognitive and psychological foundations of haptic perception. He advocates an interdisciplinary and experience-focused approach in applied haptic design, research, and development settings.
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"CREATING THE BMW NEUE KLASSE HAPTIC EXPERIENCE"The BMW Neue Klasse reinvents in-vehicle user interaction. The introduction of the all-new Panoramic iDrive System, driven by an "Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel" approach, entails the redefinition of current steering wheel controls. This talk will present the BMW Neue Klasse steering wheel control system and give insights into the product development as well as the haptic design process.
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Jann Hendrik Swyter Veigel GmbH + Co.KG.Jann Hendrik SwyterJann Swyter (CEO Veigel GmbH+Co.KG) is Managing Director and responsible for strategic innovation and the digital transformation of the company. Veigel develops solutions for individual mobility, combining intelligent hardware with data-driven software. Together with his team, Jann is shaping the development of new digital business models such as SYNPLI, an AI-based platform for driver training. He has many years of international experience in the automotive industry and in the field of digital transformation. He is also an active member of the German AI Association and the IPAI (Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence) and regularly speaks about the digital future of SMEs.
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"FROM MACHINE MANUFACTURER TO SOFTWARE COMPANY"Veigel/SYNPLI, under the motto “From Mechanical Engineering to Software Innovation,” demonstrates how traditional engineering can be enhanced through digital innovation. At the heart of this transformation lies their advanced driving simulator, used especially in driving school education. By incorporating haptic modules, the simulator delivers a realistic driving experience: clutch engagement becomes tangible, motion sickness is significantly reduced, and the act of learning to drive becomes not only more effective but also more engaging and fun – true to the spirit of “Realistic Driving Meets FUN.”
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Hong Z. Tan GoogleHong Z. TanHong Z. Tan is a distinguished educator, scientist, technologist, and entrepreneur. She is widely recognized for her pioneering research in haptic psychophysics, where she champions a perception-based approach to developing innovative haptic interfaces.
Throughout her extensive academic career, Hong has maintained strong ties with industry. Her experience includes significant consulting activities, a four-year tenure at Microsoft Research Asia, and her current role as a researcher at Google. Her substantial contributions to wearable haptics earned her the prestigious recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).SPEAK
"HOW MANY HAPTIC SIGNALS ARE TRULY USEFUL? DESIGNING FOR REAL-WORLD IMPACT"The channel capacity of haptics is a critical yet rarely discussed topic, with current estimates of distinctive haptic signals varying widely. For product design, the key concern isn't just theoretical capacity, but the number of haptic signals that can be easily learned, memorized, and recalled. This talk will begin with an overview of information theory as applied to haptics research. I will then present practical examples of designing distinctive haptic signals for communication and alerts. The talk will conclude with guidelines for maximizing information transmission in haptic signal design.
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Dr. Peter Rössger beyond HMI/////Dr. Peter RössgerDr. Peter Rössger is an expert in the interaction between humans and technology. With a background in mechanical engineering and psychology and a PhD from TU Berlin, he combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior. Over the course of more than 30 years – including roles at Daimler and Harman – he has developed pioneering human-machine interfaces for brands like Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, and Harley Davidson. Today, he shares his knowledge through his consultancy beyond HMI/////, supporting companies worldwide in usability, user experience, human factors, and HMI design.
As a keynote speaker, author of the book “Status: Offline”, and host of the Mensch-Technik Podcast, Dr. Rössger inspires audiences with both insight and emotional resonance. His talks are not just expert presentations, they are transformative experiences. With charisma, clarity, and passion, he invites his listeners to rethink technology: more human, more relevant, more impactful.
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"ESCAPING HOTEL CALIFORNIA: HOW TO CREATE REAL VALUE WITH TECHNOLOGY"We invest enormous amounts of time, energy, and money into developing new technologies. But too often, we end up with products that are technically impressive, yet fail to deliver real value to real people.
In this talk, we’ll explore what it truly means to create value with technology: value that is human-centered, experience-driven, and meaningful. Along the way, you'll learn why so many tech projects are threatened by the Hotel California Moment, and how to avoid this costly detour.
Join me on a journey from the sun-soaked highways of the US West Coast to the cozy corners of an Irish pub in Germany. Through stories, examples, and practical insights, you’ll discover how smart decisions rooted in human experience can lead to better products and a better world.
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Thomas Hilger BMWThomas HilgerThomas holds a B.Eng. in mechanical engineering (specializing in automotive and energy technology). He has been with BMW Group in various positions in control unit development since 2012. Between 2019 and 2022, he led the concept development for all “Neue Klasse” control panel. Since 2022 he has been the overall project leader for the “Neue Klasse” steering wheel control system. He holds over 10 patents in the area of intelligent steering wheel operation.
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"CREATING THE BMW NEUE KLASSE HAPTIC EXPERIENCE"The BMW Neue Klasse reinvents in-vehicle user interaction. The introduction of the all-new Panoramic iDrive System, driven by an "Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel" approach, entails the redefinition of current steering wheel controls. This talk will present the BMW Neue Klasse steering wheel control system and give insights into the product development as well as the haptic design process.
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Nesh Gandhe MicrosoftNesh GandheNesh Gandhe is a Senior Human Factors Engineer on the Human Centered Design team at Microsoft. His work focuses on the research, design, and implementation of haptic experiences across Microsoft Surface and XBOX platforms. He is passionate about enriching visually dominant user interfaces with haptic feedback to foster more confident and inclusive experiences. With a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and an M.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Washington, Nesh brings a multidisciplinary perspective to human centered design. Outside of work, Nesh enjoys watching football and cooking up delicacies from all around the world!
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"A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE TOUCHPAD: INTUITIVE, ADAPTIVE, HAPTIC"Go behind the scenes with Nesh Gandhe to explore how Microsoft reimagined the touchpad experience on Surface devices. Learn how the haptic touchpad delivers an intuitive and adaptive experience that empowers users of all abilities.
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Keith Kirkland Kansas City Art InstituteKeith KirklandKeith Kirkland is a mechanical engineer, accessories designer, and industrial designer turned haptics enthusiast, professor and futurist. He is deeply excited about reimagining the use of the sense of touch (haptics) in movement learning, education, and product design. He is serial entrepreneur inspired by the accessibility of touch, equitable business models and wearable tech. He is is currently the Leonard Pryor Fellow for Accessibility at the Kansas City Art Institute.
His work in haptics has been recognized by the Pratt’s Rowena Reed Award, SXSW, The Smithsonian, TED, Dropbox, Google, Verizon, The Yokohama Government, Perkins School for the Blind, Unilever, Bauhaus, The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, EY, and the MET Museum.
www.thehaptic9.com www.movement9.com www.keithius.com
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“AN ATYPICAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE LENS OF HAPTIC DESIGN”In 2013, I discovered the word “haptics,” and nothing about my design practice—or my life—has felt the same since. Beginning with a movement-learning thesis at Pratt Institute that explored teaching kung fu through vibration rather than vision (TED Talk), I embarked on a decade-long experiment to make touch a primary information channel. That journey led to WearWorks’ Wayband, the wrist-worn navigator that guided runner Simon Wheatcroft through the NYC Marathon without a sighted escort—the first time such a feat had been attempted (The Verge).
After turning that story into a hip-hop manifesto on the future of tactile tech, I moved into education, launching one of the first undergraduate haptics courses for non-engineering majors and partnering with the Nelson-Atkins Museum to create Re-/Touch, a program that lets blind visitors explore art through sanctioned tactile tours (Nelson-Atkins | The Whole Person).
Today, as co-founder of The Haptic 9 Co., I channel those lessons into our “9 Bridges” framework and two very different projects: (1) expanding blind-accessible museum experiences, and (2) building Movement 9, a gamified physical-therapy platform that begins with computer vision and will soon integrate a smart haptic knee sleeve. This talk explains why I am so excited about a haptic-enabled future and outlines my plan to make designing for the sense of touch as ubiquitous—affordable, accessible, and approachable—as designing for sight and hearing.
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Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Weinhold Innowep GmbHProf. Dr. Wolfgang WeinholdProf. Dr. Wolfgang Weinhold. Beginning his academic and professional journey in aerodynamics, he has steadily carved a notable path through both academia and industry.
After earning his early education at Giessen University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Weinhold expanded his academic portfolio in the United States, acquiring Masters degrees from both the University of Florida and Duke University, in Engineering and Mechanical Engineering & Material Science respectively. His academic journey reached a pinnacle with a Ph.D. from TU Bergakademie Freiberg, solidifying his expertise and passion for innovation.
Prof. Dr. Weinhold has taught and shared knowledge across continents, including in Germany, the U.S., and China. In China, his leadership extended beyond the classroom as President of a company leading the way in Biotribology, Tribology, and Haptics.
As the CEO of Innowep GmbH, he plays a crucial role in the global market, innovating in the field of testing and measurement equipment. His work supports leading brands in their Research & Development and Quality Control efforts.
For over 30 years, Prof. Dr. Weinhold has been at the forefront of Quality, Durability, and Haptics, focusing on material and surface interactions, especially those involving human touch.SPEAK
"THE MIGHTY TOUCH AND THE SIGNY FACTOR"The focus is on how the brain interprets tactile stimuli such as texture, temperature, and resistance—for example, when comparing leather with plastic or smooth wood with metal. We demonstrate how materials can be specifically designed with targeted haptic properties and how the Signy Factor supports research and quality assurance. Subjective impressions from panel tests are combined with precise measurements. Case studies, such as those from automotive design, illustrate how haptic features influence product development, functionality, and user experience.
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Jorge Reynaga Cirrus LogicJorge ReynagaCirrus Logic smart haptics technology enhances user experiences in flagship consumer electronics devices by integrating closed-loop hardware and haptics algorithms into a single chip, optimizing electromechanical performance in high-performance smartphones, wearables, and laptops. At iAHC 2025, Jorge Reynaga will discuss Cirrus Logic’s Sensorless Velocity Control (SVC) technology, which revolutionizes haptic performance by precisely controlling haptic actuator velocity and acceleration. SVC delivers stronger, crisper, and more responsive feedback that mimics real mechanical movement with depth and precision, allowing UX designers to create diverse haptic effects that feel more natural and intuitive.
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"ENABLING IMMERSIVE AND INTUITIVE USER EXPERIENCES WITH SMART HAPTICS"Expanding into automotive applications, Cirrus Logic is also introducing this year the CS40L5x family of AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualified haptic controllers, supporting steering wheels, touch displays, and smart surfaces for next-gen cabin interiors. With advanced haptic control and improved consistency across manufacturing, temperature and battery state of charge, Cirrus Logic’s smart haptics technology is setting a new standard for immersive user experiences. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us at iAHC 2025 in Hamburg, Germany.
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Morten Rothmann Hamsø EngineeringMorten RothmannMorten has a M.Sc. in Business Engineering and a background in disruptive innovations. He is the managing director of Hamsø Engineering that specializes in haptics for HMI-solutions. Together with his team, he focuses on the full application and how to make the design process faster, cheaper, and easier to allow for unique and highly intuitive solutions and satisfactory user experiences. Morten has a broad network within Danish universities and has a technical interest in how things work and come together. He always has the goal in mind and fights to achieve the best solution for the task at hand.
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"SIGNAL MATTERS: HOW TO DRIVE THE BEST OUT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC AND PIEZOELECTRIC HAPTIC SYSTEMS"Haptic feedback thrives on precise signal control—regardless of the actuator type. In this joint talk, GREWUS and HAMSO demonstrate how intelligent waveform design, proper impedance matching, and frequency tuning can unlock the full potential of any actuator.
GREWUS will present best practices for driving electromagnetic actuators like LRAs and voice coils, showing how to balance response time, tactile quality, and energy efficiency. HAMSO will explain how to precisely control piezoelectric actuators, focusing on resonant behaviour, phase control, and high-voltage driver requirements.
This session offers practical insights for newcomers and experienced engineers on system integration, avoiding common pitfalls, and optimising actuator performance across applications. -
Fady Youssef GREWUS GmbHFady YoussefFady Youssef has been working as a Project Manager at GREWUS since 2024. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mechatronics from Hamburg University of Technology. His PhD work is focused on Transcoding multimodal signals into haptic signals in a remote telemanipulation setup.
He provides expert support to customers, leveraging research and methodological approaches for the multidisciplinary integration of components. His goal is to ensure that specified requirements are met and to maximize user experience.SPEAK:
"SEAT HAPTICS AS A MULTIMODAL INTERFACE: PERCEPTION, PARAMETERIZATION AND INTERACTION DESIGN"Haptic feedback integrated into car seats can potentially improve driver safety and user experience, especially in automated vehicles where visual and auditory channels are often overloaded. Although tactile feedback is already common in steering wheels and touchscreens, haptics in the seat remains underexplored. It poses specific challenges regarding perceptibility, ergonomic integration, and context sensitivity.
This presentation explores recent research on how users perceive and respond to seat-based haptic cues. It focuses on key design parameters such as spatial resolution, stimulus intensity, and the structure of intuitive haptic patterns. Results from user studies on recognition rates, reaction times, and cognitive load under realistic driving conditions will be presented.
Based on these findings, the talk proposes guidelines for designing effective, context-aware seat haptics. It concludes with a look at future research questions, including personalization strategies and integration with other sensory channels like sound and vision. -
Anouschka Esselun GREWUS GmbHAnouschka EsselunAnouschka Esselun has been a project manager at GREWUS GmbH since 2018. She holds a Master of Science from Technical University Braunschweig and has a background in acoustics and digital signal processing. As an engineer for acoustics and haptics, Anouschka supports customers in integrating active haptic feedback, especially in the field of electronic driving, measurements of actuators, and entire applications. Also, she develops individual haptic patterns depending on the specification, actuator, and use case.
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"SIGNAL MATTERS: HOW TO DRIVE THE BEST OUT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC AND PIEZOELECTRIC HAPTIC SYSTEMS"Haptic feedback thrives on precise signal control—regardless of the actuator type. In this joint talk, GREWUS and HAMSO demonstrate how intelligent waveform design, proper impedance matching, and frequency tuning can unlock the full potential of any actuator.
GREWUS will present best practices for driving electromagnetic actuators like LRAs and voice coils, showing how to balance response time, tactile quality, and energy efficiency. HAMSO will explain how to precisely control piezoelectric actuators, focusing on resonant behaviour, phase control, and high-voltage driver requirements.
This session offers practical insights for newcomers and experienced engineers on system integration, avoiding common pitfalls, and optimising actuator performance across applications. -
Ralf Sandomeer GREWUS GmbHRalf SandomeerRalf Sandomeer has 25 years of global business experience focusing on solutions for the automotive and consumer market. Creativity is the basis of every idea; he constantly has new ideas and puts his inspiration into practice. His strength is in designing and producing single components and systems by keeping an eye on the solutions for the customer's machines and applications. Ralf is one of the founders of GREWUS GmbH; for 17 years, he has successfully driven the company with Elisa Santella and the great Team.
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Elisa Santella GREWUS GmbHElisa SantellaElisa Santella (GREWUS GmbH founding member) is Managing Director and responsible for Haptic Key Accounts. GREWUS develops and produces innovative acoustic components and haptic actuators. Together with her team, Elisa supports customers in integrating active haptics. She has been working in the international automotive industry for over 20 years. Furthermore, she is Automotive Working Group chair and Board Member for the Haptics Industry Forum, one of the founding members of the Haptics Alliance, and host & founder of the interACTIVE HAPTICS conference.
HOST & WELCOMESPEAK
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“MORE HAPTICS, LESS COST: A NEW APPROACH TO SEAT HAPTIC SYSTEMS”Modern seat haptics go far beyond classic massage features. Today, they are emerging as a versatile interface for driver assistance, personalized comfort, in-car entertainment, and even gaming. However, to be adopted at scale, these systems must offer more than just functionality—they also need to be economically viable.
This talk introduces a patented hardware approach that enables significant savings in Bill of Materials (BOM) costs through a modular design. Using real-world examples, it illustrates how this solution can support a wide range of use cases—from relaxing wellness modes and directional driving cues to immersive experiences for media and gaming.
At its core, the presentation explores how seat haptics can be designed to deliver both emotional impact and functional value—while remaining cost-efficient enough for large-scale integration.