Requirements for a Human-Centered Automotive Development Process: Results of a Case Study from the Perspective of Demographic Change

The aim of this paper is to identify initial requirements for a proactive and human-centered automotive development process, which considers future effects of global trends and challenges. For this, a qualitative case study is conducted on an industrial project, which focused on the effects of demographic development in a worldwide known and leading German automotive manufacturer. The actual demographic situation and future challenges are analyzed with the use of demography relevant criteria by workshops with experts from the manufacturer. Four topics were identified as crucial in the context of demography for the future (ergonomic workplace design, age-differentiated workplace design, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and personnel development). These topics are further explored by an expert workshop. In a case study, requirements for a human-centered automotive development process are derived from the discussions and results of the expert workshop. The paper concludes with an outlook regarding future actions to identify additional requirements and the development of a more human-centered automotive development process for practical use.