Willy Dauner

Head of Appearance Exterior (EBE) @ BMW M | Lead for AR/VR | Expert in Fibre reinforced Materials and processes | Future In-Car Experiences | Vehicle Integration | Academic mentoring | Patent Holder | eFoil Builder

Greater Munich Metropolitan Area

About

The car of the future isn’t just a machine; it’s a multimodal experience. 🚗✨ I’ve updated my LinkedIn profile to reflect my journey at BMW M, where I focus on a holistic approach to vehicle development. For me, "Integration" means more than just fitting parts together—it’s about harmonizing three worlds: Engineering the Future: Bridging Physical Excellence, Digital Innovation, and Human Experience. As a leader at BMW Group (BMW M), I operate at the intersection of high-end design, advanced engineering, and the future of human-machine interaction. My focus is on End-to-End Vehicle Integration: taking innovations from a first patent through pre-development and into the final premium product. Core Areas of Expertise: • Future In-Car Experiences & Multimodal Stimulation: I am driving the development of next-generation in-car experiences. By leveraging multimodal stimulation, I work on how we will perceive, feel, and interact with future vehicles—merging sensory feedback with digital and physical interfaces. • The Design-Tech Interface (EBE): Leading the appearance of exterior components, I ensure the aesthetic vision of the design studio is perfectly harmonized with technical vehicle requirements, surface quality, and aerodynamics. • Material Innovation & Pre-Development: I spearheaded the large-scale integration of natural fiber composites into vehicle structures—a BMW first. My work in body pre-development (e.g., sandwich structures, roofs) is backed by numerous patents. • Digital Transformation (AR/VR): Developing AR/VR methods to accelerate development cycles. I bridge hardware and software to create high-end data visualizations for complex decision-making processes. • Interdisciplinary Leadership: I mentor and lead diverse teams (App Devs, Engineers, Designers), fostering a "maker" culture that turns academic research into serial application. The Maker Spirit: After hours, I stay hands-on in my workshop, building eFoils (electric hydrofoils) and custom surfboards. Whether it’s hydrodynamics on the water or aerodynamics on the road, I am driven by the search for the perfect flow and technical efficiency. #Engineering #BMWM #InCarExperience #Innovation #VehicleIntegration #ARVR #MakerSpirit #eFoil

Experience

  • BMW M (13 yrs 8 mos)
    • EBE Leitung (Erscheinungsbild Exterieur)
      Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

      Bridging the Gap Between Design Vision and Technical Reality.

    • Vorentwicklungsingenieur
      Nov 2012 - Present · 13 yrs 8 mos

      "As a Pre-Development Engineer, I drive the integration of innovative hardware and digital ecosystems—including specialized software and apps—to redefine the intersection of design and technology for the next generation of mobility on road and water."

    • FGI Funktionale Gestaltung und Integration Karosserie und Interieur
      Jan 2016 - Dec 2017 · 2 yrs

      Comprehensive validation and testing of hardware components for interior and exterior systems, enabling the realization of future mobility concepts

  • Entwicklungsexperte Faserverbundtechnik at Mercedes-Benz AG
    Sep 2008 - Nov 2012 · 4 yrs 3 mos