Review: FDTech at the Regional Political Annual Conference 2025

From November 19 to 21, 2025, this year’s Regional Political Annual Conference took place in Chemnitz, an important forum bringing together stakeholders from politics, industry, science, and regional development. For FDTech, the event offered a valuable opportunity to present our technological focus areas, showcase our mobility concepts, and actively contribute to shaping the future of our region.

The first day began with strong political impulses. In their opening remarks, Chemnitz Mayor Sven Schulze, Leipzig Mayor and President of the German Association of Cities Burkhard Jung, Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, and Federal Minister Katharina Reiche outlined the pressing challenges ahead. They highlighted the urgency of structural transformation, digitalization, and regional innovation — and all agreed that progress will only be achieved if we collectively move from discussion to action.

Against this backdrop, it was especially meaningful for us to contribute substantively to the program. Our mobility concepts RoboBus and RoboShop, presented as part of the exhibition, attracted significant interest. A key moment was the personal introduction of our solutions to Federal Minister Reiche. Our CEO Karsten Schulze, together with Alexander Kovalenko from our CADA partner staff-eye, used the conversation to explain how our safe, scalable mobility systems can strengthen the region and what political support could help accelerate implementation.

Throughout the day, numerous expert talks, workshops, and interactions created a rich atmosphere for exchange. Participants from across Germany seized the opportunity to discuss current developments, making the first day both inspiring and energizing for FDTech.

The second conference day brought participants directly to some of the region’s core innovation hubs. The excursion started at the Smart Systems Campus, continued at Fraunhofer ENAS and the Economic Development Agency of the Erzgebirge region, and concluded at our joint station with Sitec. Around 60 guests were welcomed at Sitec, where Nico Nebel opened the session. Afterwards, our CEO Karsten Schulze and AMZ representatives Andreas Wächtler and Thomas Keltsch also addressed the group.

The focus of the visit centered on the transformation of the automotive industry and how companies like FDTech are responding to these shifts. We outlined how international collaborations, cost-effective and streamlined development approaches, and adaptable technological expertise are essential components of our strategy. We emphasized the importance of making AI usable within secure environments, avoiding unnecessary reinvention, and building on proven foundations. Training and skills development, especially in light of rapidly evolving technological demands, emerged as crucial priorities.

A unique highlight of the excursion was the on-site experience of RoboShop and RoboBus, which allowed participants to engage directly with our new mobility concepts. This hands-on insight demonstrated how tangible and relevant our vision for future mobility already is. The strong interest, detailed questions, and positive feedback showed how meaningfully our work resonates with regional and national stakeholders alike.

These three days were not only an opportunity to present our projects but also a clear confirmation of the dynamic innovation ecosystem in our region. Together with our partners — including staff-eye, Sitec, AMZ, and many others — we highlighted that the transformation of mobility is not a distant idea but an active process already underway.

The conference reinforced a shared understanding: The future of mobility is being built here, and FDTech is ready to play a defining role in shaping it.