In this episode of the Human-Technology Podcast, I take a comprehensive look at current developments and fundamental trends in the field of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) in vehicles. It’s not just about technological progress — it’s also about a deeper question: How is our relationship with technology evolving, and what does that mean for the design of the interfaces between humans and machines?

Four key topics are in focus:

- The digitalization of cockpits: From physical buttons to software-defined interfaces — how the vehicle is transforming into a digital device
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto: The revolution of Bring Your Own Device — opportunities, risks, and strategic dilemmas for OEMs
- External HMIs: When vehicles communicate with their surroundings — new forms of interaction through light, gesture, projection, and sound
- AI and multimodality: Why voice assistants, eye tracking, and intelligent support systems are fundamentally reshaping HMIs — and how trust becomes the key UX factor

This episode blends technological analysis with user-centered reflection. Because the best technologies are those that disappear — and still make an impact.

"I miss my pre-Internet brain." This quote by American author Virginia Heffernan hits at the very core of our digital existence.

In this episode of the Human-Technology Podcast, I explore why modern technologies overwhelm us mentally – and how this connects to our evolutionary history. What happens when a Stone Age brain meets high-frequency interfaces? When tools turn into environments? And what role can vehicles play in all of this?

Episode topics include:

- Why our brain isn’t built for multitasking – and what that means for digital interfaces
- Five reasons we long for our “pre-internet brain”
- How today’s HMIs and vehicle interiors overload our mental capacity
What opportunities arise when we turn cars back into spaces of clarity, calm, and sensory richness

In this episode of the Human-Technology Podcast, I revisit one of my most successful LinkedIn posts, a contribution on shared mobility that generated almost ten times more views and comments than my usual posts. The post put forward a bold thesis:

The cities of the future have no room for privately owned cars.

But what’s really behind that statement? In this episode, I take the time to explore the topic in greater depth:

- The current situation: Why cars consume so much space, resources, and mental attention and what that means for the cities we live in.
- The car sharing models: From free-floating fleets and peer-to-peer models to ride pooling, an overview of existing services.
- The history: How car sharing in Germany evolved from eco-driven niche projects in the 1980s into a serious market segment.
- The user experience: Why many car-sharing services fail to deliver a convincing user experience despite all their tech and what urgently needs to change.
- The economic reality: Why providers like Share Now are pulling out, why the takeover by Lyft is symbolically significant, and why car sharing remains financially shaky around the globe.
- The future outlook: Between the “sacred cow” of private car ownership and the vision of car-free cities – what future does shared mobility really have?

One thing is clear: there are no easy answers. But that’s exactly why it’s worth taking a closer look. Tune in if you want to understand why shared mobility is so polarizing, what we can learn from the current situation, and how we can shape smarter mobility in our cities.

In this very personal episode, I’m stepping away from the usual path of technology, trends, and interfaces to share my own story for a change.

Because: beyond HMI///// is celebrating its anniversary!
Ten years of self-employment. Ten years of freedom, responsibility, crises, and opportunities.
And a very personal approach to connecting humans and technology.

I talk about:

- Why I left the safety of a corporate career in the industry
- What really happened in the early days of running my own business
- How I built a lean, independent, and location-flexible consultancy
-And the five key insights I would share with anyone considering taking the leap

An episode about new beginnings, self-leadership, doubt – and the power of staying true to yourself.

A LinkedIn post that hit like lightning—over 200,000 impressions, hundreds of comments, and a heated debate: Why is the offensive by Chinese car manufacturers failing in the German market despite billions in investment, solid technology, and aggressive pricing?

In this episode, I analyze:

What we can learn from the market entry of Japanese and Korean OEMs
Why BYD, Nio & Co. are technologically advanced but fail to make an emotional connection
What future scenarios are conceivable for Chinese vehicles in Europe
Between China-speed and European skepticism lies a deep divide—culturally, in branding strategy, and emotionally. Anyone wanting to succeed in Germany needs more than just a good product.

A reality check on brand identity, user acceptance, and the power of emotion in the automotive market.

In this episode, we’re diving back into the technical side of things – right at the heart of development reality. The focus is on ISO 9241, the key series of standards for ergonomic human-machine interaction.

Why everyone has an opinion on HMIs, but why we as professionals need more than just subjective assessments – we’ll explore that, along with the origin, structure, and application of ISO 9241. We'll talk about dialogue principles like task suitability, error tolerance, and controllability – and why scientific rigor and systematic thinking must be the foundation of good HMI design.

To wrap things up, we’ll take a look ahead: How does the standard address AI, augmented reality, and multimodal interaction? And what does that mean for the future of human-machine interfaces?

Topics:
- The origin and significance of ISO 9241
- The seven dialogue principles as a design foundation
- Future challenges: AR, VR, AI, and human-centered interfaces

An episode for anyone who wants to design HMIs that are not just beautiful, but meaningful.

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence through the lens of the MABA-MABA principle – "Men Are Better At, Machines Are Better At". Originally developed by Paul Fitts in the 1950s, this framework still serves to understand how we can best divide tasks between humans and machines.

Topics we dive into:
- What truly distinguishes human intelligence from artificial intelligence?
- Who performs better at which tasks – and why?
- How can humans and AI work together effectively in real-world scenarios?

Human strengths like creativity, empathy, adaptability, and ethical judgment meet AI strengths like speed, precision, and pattern recognition. We illustrate how these strengths complement one another and where each still has the upper hand.

From emotional robotics in elderly care to creative collaboration in furniture design, and from medical diagnostics to symphonic conducting by robots – this episode is packed with fascinating examples of real-world human-AI interaction.

The takeaway: We achieve the best outcomes when both humans and AI contribute their unique capabilities. Technology is here to stay – and the future lies in cooperation, not competition.

Join me as we decode the complex choreography between man and machine.

"Auto hui, Elon pfui" – a sticker on a Tesla triggered this deep dive into a complex question: Can we separate a product from the person behind it? Can – or should – we appreciate innovation while questioning the character of its creator?

In this episode, I explore the philosophical, ethical, and practical challenges of separating work from creator. From Wagner to J.K. Rowling, from Michael Jackson to Steve Jobs – we look at how society deals with controversial figures and their legacies. Then we zoom in on the tech world, where companies often are their founders – and how this plays out in the case of Elon Musk and Tesla.

Topics in this episode:
- Can art, tech, and business be judged independently of their creators?
- Why Tesla is both an innovation icon and a usability paradox
- The risks and rewards of strong personal branding in tech
- How Musk's political turn is impacting Tesla’s sales and stock – especially in Europe
- What happens when the CEO becomes the brand’s biggest liability?

This episode is part cultural critique, part market analysis, and all about the human behind the machine.

The future is no coincidence – it is the result of trends that are already shaping our world today. In this episode, we embark on a journey through time to analyze the most important technological developments of the present. Based on the Megatrend Map by the Zukunftsinstitut and the Trend Universe by TrendOne, I will shed light on the opportunities and risks of the technologies that are fundamentally transforming our world.

Look forward to fascinating insights on:

- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – How far should algorithms be allowed to go?
- Internet of Things – Convenience or surveillance?
-5G Technology – A quantum leap for the industry?
- Quantum Computing – Salvation or risk for our data?
- Blockchain – Revolution or hype?
- Augmented and Virtual Reality – Gimmick or serious application?
- Sustainable Technologies – Green vision or costly greenwashing?
- Biotechnology and Genomics – Medical miracles or ethical dilemma?
- Autonomous Vehicles – Freedom on four wheels or a security risk?
- Cybersecurity – Defense against the dark side of digitalization.

Tune in if you want to know which technologies will truly shape our future – and how we can seize the opportunities without losing sight of the risks.

How does technology influence our humanity? And what do we need to understand about humans to design technology in a meaningful way? In this episode, I dive deep into the mind of Yuval Noah Harari—one of the most insightful thinkers of our time. His books Sapiens, Homo Deus, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century provide fascinating answers to the question of how the relationship between humans and machines is evolving.
Why are myths and fictions essential to us? What role will data and algorithms play in the future? And what are the consequences for designing human-machine interfaces? All this and more in this episode.
Tune in and think along!