Hardware Roots, Software Wings: How Dual Mindsets Are Shaping the Future of Automotive Innovation

White Paper produced by Anya Ernest, Polestar and Alexandra Kloss, BMW : >>Download Here<<

The automotive industry is in the middle of a profound transformation. Vehicles are no longer defined solely by mechanical performance — they are becoming software-defined platforms that evolve and create value long after leaving the factory.

This shift has unlocked new possibilities but also new tensions: the precision and control of hardware development often clash with the agility and iteration of software. So how do we bring these worlds together without forcing one to become the other?

That’s the question explored in the white paper Hardware Roots, Software Wings — co-authored by Anya Ernest (Polestar / WIT GBG) and Alexandra Kloss (BMW) — and the foundation for their upcoming interactive workshop at the Women Automotive Summit: Europe this October.

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Key Insights from the White Paper

📌 Hardware as a platform – Future-ready vehicles require modular, flexible hardware designed to support evolving software use cases, even those not yet defined.
📌 Software as value in use – Software must be empowered to deliver incremental improvements over time, with customer feedback shaping the roadmap.
📌 Interface teams – Rather than merging disciplines, organizations should create cross-functional “interface teams” that translate between hardware and software mindsets.
📌 Diversity as capability – Diversity of perspective, mindset, and background isn’t just a value — it’s a strategic asset for navigating complexity and driving systems-level innovation.
📌 New business models – OEMs must balance CapEx efficiency with OpEx-driven revenue streams like subscriptions, updates, and digital services.

Access the White Paper

The white paper offers deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities of harmonizing hardware and software in automotive.

>>Download the full white paper here<<

The conversation doesn’t end on paper. Join us at the Women Automotive Summit: Europe on 7th October in Stuttgart — or online from anywhere in the world.

Take part in Anya and Alexandra's interactive workshop, connect with industry leaders, and walk away with practical tools to bridge hardware and software mindsets in your own organization.

>>REGISTER TODAY FOR IN-PERSON & ONLINE TICKETS<<