Expert Resources | Vehicle Interiors Technology 2026

Ahead of the Vehicle Interiors Technology Summit 2026, Automotive IQ compiled a market report offering a detailed overview on key components that are shaping the future of interiors in autonomous vehicles. The report covers the interior as a "third living space", seating innovation, technology integration, and lighting as an experimental and functional tool. You will learn market considerations, including cost and reliability, and case studies of autonomous-ready vehicles.

You’ll gain clarity on the market forces influencing cost, reliability, and adoption timelines, along with real‑world case studies of autonomous‑ready vehicles that show where the industry is heading and how leading brands are preparing.

Get ahead of the insights that will be explored in depth at the event on 20–21 May and position yourself at the forefront of next‑generation interior innovation.

In an interview with Automotive IQ, Peter Roessger, Founder & CEO of beyond HMI, reveals the shifts reshaping the automotive display landscape and what they mean for OEMs racing to meet rapidly rising consumer expectations. You’ll discover why today’s drivers expect richer, more intuitive in‑car display experiences, where the biggest gaps still exist between user demands and current OEM capabilities, and how emerging display technologies can unlock calmer, more wellness‑focused cabin environments. Peter also shares how brands can personalise displays without overwhelming drivers, helping manufacturers strike the right balance between innovation and usability.

Download now to understand the trends, behaviours, and technologies that will define the next generation of automotive displays, and gain the strategic insight you need to stay ahead of competitors as the industry moves toward more intelligent, autonomous‑ready interiors.

Ahead of the Vehicle Interiors Technology Summit 2026, Kazuhito Kato, Division Adviser at NHK Spring Co., reveals how automotive seating is evolving far beyond traditional comfort to become an intelligent, technology‑driven platform.

This interview gives you a first look at how leading manufacturers are rethinking the seat as a personalised well‑being hub - integrating sensing, software, and AI to adapt to each occupant’s physical and mental state. You’ll discover why this shift matters for OEMs preparing for autonomous mobility, how seating innovation is becoming a competitive differentiator, and what it takes to balance comfort, sustainability, and production readiness in a rapidly changing market.

Download now to learn the trends and technologies that will define the next generation of intelligent seating. 

How do you stay ahead of rising safety expectations?

In this interview, Vlatko Kukolja, Senior Studio Engineer and Lighting Expert at Zeekr, reveals how interior lighting is rapidly becoming a functional, safety‑focused communication tool that goes far beyond aesthetics. He explains how next‑generation lighting strategies deliver intuitive warnings without adding cognitive load, how designers strike the balance between visibility and comfort, and why emotional response is becoming a critical part of safety‑driven lighting design.

By downloading, you’ll discover the emerging technologies and research areas set to shape the future of communication lighting.

After eighteen years, Automotive IQ's annual Seating Innovation, Intelligent Lighting, and Display Technologies conferences have undergone a transformation. We are now introducing a brand new event format that is designed to connect multiple departments that are working, both independently and collaboratively to design and enable new vehicle interior concepts that will truly differentiate vehicles in the future.

Ahead of the event, Automotive IQ has compiled a report to share exclusive insights you can expect at the event. 

Tables of Content include:

• Welcome
• 2026 Topics
• 2026 Speakers
• Who Attends?
• Automotive Interior Market Overview
• The Evolution of Vehicle Interiors: Comfort and Technology
• Partnership Opportunities 

The Automotive IQ team has compiled our most popular and widely read content from the past year into an exclusive resource bundle, bringing together the insights, trends, and expert perspectives that professionals across the industry found most valuable. This curated collection gives you a shortcut to the year’s most impactful intelligence, helping you stay ahead of fast‑moving developments in automotive technology, regulation, and innovation. The bundle includes:

1. Designing a lightweight seat for increased electrification - Sahil Jain, Lead - Seating Systems, Pebble
2. Meeting high-end sustainability and circularity targets in automotive seating - Sahil Jain, Lead - Seating Systems, Pebble
3. Impact of autonomous driving & ADAS features on automotive seating - Dr. Jose Sloaz, Scientific Director, Head of Innovation, Automobile & Mobility, Instituto De Biomecanica
4. Crash simulation and testing for autonomous vehicle seats - Dr. Christophe Bastien, Associate Professor, Coventry University
   

As the automotive industry focuses on meeting consumer demand in seat designs, Dr. Peter Vink offers valuable insights on the balance between safety and comfort, as well as addressing these challenges to ensure seats are both lightweight and safe. He explores long-term sustainability goals shaping the future of automotive seating.

Discussion highlights:

• The primary challenges of designing lightweight seat architecture for electric vehicles (EVs), while ensuring safety and comfort are not compromised.
• Innovative materials currently being used in EV seat design to reduce weight, while providing the necessary comfort for passengers.
• The long-term sustainability goals that are guiding the evolution of seat design in the automotive industry.
• The next significant challenge in seat design and predications for how it will evolve over the next three years.

This report examines Instituto de Biomecánica's (IBV) approach to the generation of three-dimensional digital human models in the driving posture and the anthropometric measurements obtained using traditional methods. 

The research, part of a project led by the Japanese Automotive Research Institute (JARI), aims to improve impact simulations and safety measures in vehicles by using more accurate, customised digital models. The report outlines the methodology, including data collection, 3D scanning, and the analysis of body morphology to create more representative models for vehicle design and safety testing.

Discover the cutting-edge techniques behind the creation of lightweight, high-performance car seats from one of the most prestigious names in the automotive industry. In this presentation, Davide delves into the intricate process of designing and producing Hypercar seats that exemplify both technical excellence and aesthetic appeal.

Key Highlights:

• Innovative Design Approaches: Learn about the design strategies that enhance both form and function.
• Advanced Materials: Explore the use of state-of-the-art materials that contribute to weight reduction without compromising strength or durability.
• Performance Optimisation: Understand how lightweight seating directly influences vehicle performance and efficiency.
• Homologation and Safety Standards: Gain insights into the rigorous safety protocols and compliance measures that ensure top-tier quality and safety.

Presented by: Davide Malaguti | Trims Lead Engineer - Cockpit | Bugatti-Rimac

The Vehicle Interiors Technology Summit brings together expert decision-makers across Interiors, Seating, Display, Lighting Innovation, HMI, Purchasing, Product Planning, Engineering, Industrial Design, and Visual Design - and this is the only event in Europe to do so.

Whether you're looking to enter a new vertical, cement your brand, or be front of mind with your target audience, this is the room you need to be in.

Explore our brand new partnership prospectus to learn more about this exclusive audience, and benefit from tailored networking opportunities. Get ahead on your 2026 lead gen objectives.

After eighteen years, Automotive IQ's annual Seating Innovation, Intelligent Lighting, and Display Technologies conferences have undergone a transformation. We are now introducing a brand new event format that is designed to connect multiple departments that are working, both independently and collaboratively to design and enable new vehicle interior concepts that will truly differentiate vehicles in the future.

Ahead of the event, Automotive IQ has compiled a report to share exclusive insights you can expect at the event.

Tables of Content include:

• Welcome
• 2026 Topics
• 2026 Speakers
• Who Attends?
• Automotive Interior Market Overview
• The Evolution of Vehicle Interiors: Comfort and Technology
• Partnership Opportunities