Lars Burgstahler

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT LARS BURGSTAHLER

An electrical engineer by trade and by passion I do what I like the most: developing cutting-edge infotainment and control solutions in the automotive business.I studied electrical engineering with a strong focus on data network technologies. After some years at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, where I obtained my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (on QoS mechanisms in connection-oriented data networks), it seemed obvious that I would work in the R&D department of a network equipment manufacturer. Yet somehow I ended up at DaimlerChrysler, where my first project was the mobile data traffic optimisation of Germany\'s toll collect system.Quite soon I switched to the infotainment development where, over the years, I held different responsibilites within the complete development chain of head units: advanced engineering and evaluation of new technologies, concept projects, product specification and awarding of suppliers, development and supplier management, change management, defect management. all the steps up to the start of production of a new car line.Today I\'m working at Mercedes-Benz Vans. I\'m responsible for the E/E integration and infotainment development of our small-size vans. Additionally, we have developed MBAC, Mercedes-Benz\' ground-breaking control system for campervans and RVs. This not only includes the development of the electronic control unit but also the system integration with a vast range of components like heating systems, sensors, lights, and everything else in the living area of the RV. It\'s the diversity of the task that I like the most: Pure engineering when it comes to hardware and software development; human interaction with component suppliers who want their product integrated into our system and with RV manufacturers who are interested to have MBAC in their vehicles (and there\'s still a lot of engineering in that); presenting our products to customers, the press, or in exhibitions. And above all: Thinking and working on the complete system: from the first idea to life cycle maintenance, from the small embedded processor to the complete smart home system in a campervan, and from our small team to our large customer base.