Expert Resources | Vehicle Interiors Technology 2026

In this interview, Peter Roessger, Founder & CEO of beyond HMI, shares key insights into the automotive display landscape. He discusses how consumer expectations for in-car displays have evolved, the biggest gaps between consumer demands and what OEMs can currently deliver, how emerging display technologies can support more relaxing and wellness-oriented cabin environments, and how displays can be tailored to user needs without overwhelming drivers.

These themes, and more, will be explored in depth at the event, alongside next-generation display form factors, redefining vehicle interior displays through AI integration, adapting displays for autonomous vehicle use cases, and strategies to minimise driver distraction.

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 

Ahead of the 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. It explores market considerations, including cost and reliability, and case studies of autonomous-ready vehicles.

All topics will be explored in-depth at the event on  20th - 21st May. 

Ahead of the Vehicle Interiors Technology Summit 2026, Kazuhito Kato, Division Adviser, NhK Spring Co, explores how automotive seating is evolving beyond comfort into an intelligent, technology-driven platform. He discusses the shift from driving-focused design to personalised well-being, the integration of sensing, software, and AI, and how future seats will adapt to individual physical and mental states while balancing comfort, sustainability, and production readiness.

The Automotive IQ team have compiled our most popular and widely read content in the last year into an exclusive resource bundle, including:

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.