Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lutz Eckstein is the Head of the Institute of Automotive Engineering (ika) at RWTH Aachen University and a leading expert in automotive engineering. He concurrently serves as President of the VDI Association of German Engineers, President of the VDI Scientific Advisory Board for the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV), and Scientific Director of the NRW Competence Network for Automated and Connected Mobility. His professional background includes senior roles at BMW and DaimlerChrysler, focusing on vehicle safety, driver assistance systems, and ergonomics. Eckstein holds a Doctorate from the University of Stuttgart (2000) and received the Artur Fischer Prize (1995) for academic excellence. His research interests span automated driving systems, human-machine interfaces, scenario-based testing, and mobility infrastructure. He leads high-profile projects like UNICARagil and coordinates the Mobility and Transport profile at RWTH Aachen. Over 80 patents and publications reflect his contributions to automotive innovation, including advancements in sensor fusion, digital twins, and cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS). His recent work emphasizes safety assurance for automated vehicles, scenario databases, and scalable simulation frameworks. Eckstein's interdisciplinary approach bridges academia and industry, driving transformative solutions for future mobility challenges.












