4th Annual Automotive Functional Safety Forum 2026

4th Annual Automotive Functional Safety Forum 2026

The 4th Annual Automotive Functional Safety Forum takes place at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin in Stuttgart, Germany on 4 and 5 November 2026. The two-day event focuses on the practical implementation of functional safety standards such as ISO 26262 and SOTIF, as vehicles become more electrified, connected and automated.

The forum is organised by Leadvent Group and runs as a hybrid event, so delegates can attend in Stuttgart or join online.

Who Attends

More than 150 attendees are expected, with numbers kept limited to ensure high-level participation. The forum brings together car makers, OEMs, technology and solution providers and R&D organisations, with presidents, vice presidents, heads of department and managers invited to take part.

Delegates typically work in functional safety, vehicle architecture, software and systems engineering, electric vehicles and e-drive, chassis and steering systems, diagnostics, test and verification, security and compliance. Past attendees include Continental, Infineon Technologies, Intel Corporation, Magna Powertrain, Schaeffler, Volkswagen and Autoliv.

Conference Programme

More than 25 speakers will contribute to a programme of keynotes, case studies, panel discussions and interactive round tables. Key topics include:

• Fundamentals of functional safety in automotive systems
• Safety case development and compliance management
• Functional safety in electrified and autonomous vehicles
• SOTIF (safety of the intended functionality)
• Aligning functional safety with cybersecurity
• Verification and validation of safety-critical systems
• Model-based development and simulation tools for safety
• Safety implementation challenges for start-ups and Tier 2 suppliers
• Regulatory trends and international harmonisation
• Functional safety for over-the-air updates and continuous delivery

AI in safety and the ISO/PAS 8800 standard will also be on the agenda.

Confirmed Speakers

Speakers include:

• Riccardo Vincelli, Director, Functional Safety Competence Center, Renesas Electronics Europe
• Hassan Higazy, System Architecture and Functional Safety, CARIAD
• Daniel Koroll, Quality Planner, Software Assessment, Porsche
• Dr Alexander Mattausch, Chief Expert Software Architecture, Elektrobit
• Antonio Priore, Senior Director of Systems Engineering, Imagination Technologies
• Dr Marzana Khatun, Functional Safety Manager, Robert Bosch Engineering

Further speakers come from Sensata Technologies, BRACE Automotive, Marquardt, modelwise and SAND MicroSystems.

Exhibition and Sponsors

An on-site exhibition will display topic-specific products and services. The event is backed by more than 10 sponsors and partners, with CARNIQ Technologies confirmed as bronze sponsor. Leadvent’s Startup Innovate programme also gives young companies the chance to exhibit and pitch their technology to the audience.

Networking

A matchmaking app opens around one month before the forum, allowing delegates to set up profiles and book meetings in advance. Registered delegates also receive access to the session recordings and presentation slides after the event.

Registration is open on the event website.