Dr. Christopher Plachetka

Head of Automated Driving @ MOTOR Ai Conference Speaker

Germany

About

Computer vision researcher specializing in deep learning and vision-language models (VLMs). Passionate about solving complex AI challenges with a bias to action. Strong problem solver with a proven track record of building AI pipelines, leading development teams, and delivering high-impact solutions. Excellent presentation skills with experience engaging large audiences at AI conferences and industry events. During my PhD period, I researched AI methods for change detection in HD maps for automated vehicles in LiDAR point clouds. Further, I created the large-scale HD map dataset 3DHD CityScenes with an accompanying deep leaning pipeline for object and change detection. Thesis: https://amzn.eu/d/04Hauox5 Dataset: https://zenodo.org/record/7085090 DevKit: https://github.com/volkswagen/3dhd_devkit My research project was the first to be published on GitHub in the name of Volkswagen after approval by executive board members.

Experience

  • Head of AD Engineering at MOTOR Ai
    Oct 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    Department lead for automated driving (AD) engineering, full-stack from perception to driving function. Designing stack architecture, AI & data frameworks, and managing multiple teams to success. AD made in Germany.

  • Volkswagen Group (6 yrs 3 mos)
    • Software Architect & Technical Project Manager: Data Pipelines & ODD Solutions
      Jul 2023 - Sep 2025 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      Designing AI-powered data pipelines enabling ODD management, scenario extraction, and AV testing. Architect of a data-driven toolchain for designing road networks w.r.t. AV testing and operations. Design of a VLM-based data fusion pipeline that extracts ODD-relevant data from images for subsequent road segment annotation, enabling road-specific ODD management. Design of data pipelines to extract environmental data (e.g., rain, snow, visibility) from crowd-sourced fleet data and images using VLMs. In parallel, working as technical program manager w.r.t. ADMT's map program, including concept assessment, risk identification, and roadmap management.

    • PhD Candidate: AI Methods for Map Change Detection
      Jul 2019 - Jun 2023 · 4 yrs

      3D map evaluation in LiDAR point clouds using deep neural networks. Research of deep learning-based methods for change detection in HD maps. Development of a machine learning pipeline from scratch. Extensive experience gain in Python and PyTorch.

  • Scientific Assistant at Technische Universität Braunschweig
    May 2018 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Automatic dataset annotation. Developing tools for automatic annotation of datasets, e.g., intelligent editing tools or AI-based anonymization. Development of camera calibration methods for research vehicles. Creation of software modules for real-time dataset recording using research vehicles.

  • Volkswagen AG (4 yrs 8 mos)
    • Technical Consultant
      Feb 2015 - Mar 2015 · 2 mos

      Fleet-based generation of weather maps. Method for fleet-based measurement of rainfall: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/0f/f3/6d/505bf185586170/DE102015209601A1.pdf Fleet-based environmental measurements using Kalman filter: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/b2/51/63/c44a2d751e83d2/DE102015209602B4.pdf

    • Dual Study Programme
      Aug 2010 - Feb 2015 · 4 yrs 7 mos

      Focus: e-mobility. In-factory assignments, e.g., assembly of machine controls with logic control units.