Eran Ofir will join a panel in the Future Mobility Systems & Solutions track on integrating automated vehicles into public transportation. He talks to FISITA CTO Martin Kahl about key developments in automotive engineering
“AI-based systems, rather than rule-based systems, are now mainstream for autonomous driving purposes,” says Eran Ofir, Chief Executive of Imagry.
At the 2025 FISITA World Mobility Conference, Eran will speak in the Future Mobility Systems and Solutions track, in a panel discussion entitled “Integrating automated driving into the public transportation network.” Moderated by Guido di Pasquale, Chief Executive of PAVE Europe, the panel will also feature Rainer Becker, Director Business Development at MOIA, and Jeroen Beukers, Head of Innovation at Transports Publics Genevois.
Here, Eran shares his thoughts on the evolution of automotive engineering, the influence of artificial intelligence and software-defined vehicle principles in product development, and his company’s approach to automated driving technology.
What is the most exciting technological change in automotive engineering practices in recent years?
The concept of the software-defined vehicle is definitely a game changer. The SDV introduces the idea that a car is no longer defined solely by its hardware components such as chassis, interior, and engine power, but rather is somewhat akin to a smartphone: a hardware platform that can support a variety of software applications, including autonomous driving capabilities.
The push for AI across many applications has certainly influenced the chip manufacturers to create more powerful processors to support AI functionality within the vehicle, also known as edge computing
Another notable change is the related upgraded offerings in computing power, necessary to support the intense requirements of artificial intelligence.
What do you see as the key technical challenges and opportunities facing automotive engineers in 2025?
I’ve noticed that development cycles in Europe are much longer than those in China, due to the EU countries’ more conservative approach to engineering. The European automakers missed out on pioneering electric vehicles—will they also miss out on autonomous vehicles?
How have software and the widespread adoption of AI changed your approach to automotive engineering and product development?
The Imagry approach has always been to utilise neural networks when developing our computer vision technology, and then our motion planning technology, the two core components of our autonomous driving software solution. AI-based systems, rather than rule-based systems, are now mainstream for autonomous driving purposes.
Thanks to AI, the learning curve is shorter. The push for AI across many applications has certainly influenced the chip manufacturers to create more powerful processors to support AI functionality within the vehicle, also known as edge computing. Without those advancements, it wouldn’t be possible to develop real-time, self-driving, mission-critical systems based on AI.
From low-volume, high value right up to mainstream automotive, engineers are under pressure to reduce cost and development time, while maintaining or even improving quality. How do you approach this challenge?
First, AI-based systems save vehicle training time. Additionally, the Imagry approach is HD-mapless, and LiDAR-free. Both HD maps and LiDAR are very expensive. In addition to their high price tags, the former requires continuous updates which mandate broadband communication with the cloud, while the latter cannot be justified for use in economy models, and furthermore, requires additional computing resources, adding cost.
AI-based systems, rather than rule-based systems, are now mainstream for autonomous driving purposes
Like Tesla, we believe that cameras placed strategically around the vehicle, coupled with AI for object detection, recognition, and motion planning, provide an economical and reliable solution, aligned with the AI era.
You’re speaking at the 2025 FISITA World Mobility Conference; what will be your key message to delegates?
Since I’m speaking on a panel focused on future mobility, I will discuss how autonomous driving in public transportation caters to the pain points of public transport operators. These include the large and ever-increasing global shortage of bus drivers, the desire to decongest city centres, the need to provide more services to more people due to urbanisation and ageing, and the demand to provide mobility equity for all populations, including elderly, young, and disabled people. Unlike robotaxis, autonomous buses cater to all of these pain points, and furthermore, they generate great return on investment for the PTOs.
