Big break: Joining Bosch’s car multimedia team in the U.S. in 2014

Stefan Buerkle is building a sales unit to oversee Bosch’s electronics and software at a time when the global market for those products is expected to grow 15 percent annually through 2030. 

On top of that, as regional lead for the company’s connected solutions business, he says he is creating “the vision and culture so our team can realize new technologies and services for interior infotainment solutions and connectivity.”

Buerkle’s roles put him on the cutting edge amid critical advancements in the industry.

The company also has to confront the industry’s microchip shortage, which will require even more innovation to overcome, he says.

“We work very closely with our suppliers and customers to find ways to mitigate the impacts as much as possible,” Buerkle said. “It certainly is a topic which will not go away on short notice. It will take more time and go into next year. I think there is no real solution yet.” 

In-vehicle computers, Buerkle said, are central to Bosch’s efforts to extend its leading role in software-intensive electronic systems. He joined the company’s U.S. multimedia team in 2014 and was responsible for the award and development of one of the first cross-domain vehicle computers sold by Bosch that combines infotainment, instrumentation and driver assistance. 

Being a member of Bosch’s leadership team for cross-domain computing solutions, Buerkle says he’s helping to introduce and market solutions for a new zone-based electrical architecture essential to the high-tech vehicles of tomorrow, including the path to Level 4 automated driving capability.

“Full autonomous driving in all the different cases is a huge challenge to manage,” Buerkle said, “but with different solutions we have in place — not only from a hardware and sensor perspective, but then from a software perspective — we are working hard on making that a reality.”

— Vince Bond Jr.