Folge 13 (English) - From “Virtual Components” to Global Validation Technology

What happens when an engineer decides to build the tools nobody else wants to build?Around 25 years ago, Horst Hammerer started developing his first component emulators at home — initially solving problems his employer needed solved. But he created solutions that did not exist in the market and many others needed to. What began as hands-on engineering “home production” evolved step by step into what is known today as AVL SET.In this episode, Horst speaks openly about the early days of building products on his own, winning the first customers, and navigating the transition from niche engineering solutions to becoming an internationally recognized technology partner for electrified component and system testing and validation. He explains why growth is not just about revenue — but about stability, credibility, redundancy, resilience, and becoming a trusted long-term partner for major industry players.The discussion also explores how electrification of mobility fundamentally changed the relevance of emulation technology, turning once-specialized engineering tools into critical infrastructure for modern vehicle development. From component emulators to complex validation environments, the journey mirrors the transformation of the branches in mobility industries.Horst also shares personal lessons learned across technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship — including what surprised him most during the journey and what he would do differently today.💬 Selected quotes from the episode include:“What should have been a simple upgrade turned into a disaster because the test system did not follow the architecture of the product to be tested” (background Airbus A 320 to A321).”“The first product line were emulated components, mainly sensors, for aerospace.”“With Frank I moved from a one-man show to a two-man show.”“The company grew to 30 people with aerospace customers.”“Automotive customers wanted to emulate the Emotor once propulsion electrified - a different challenge with much higher power levels.”“Never modify the unit under test was a “Growth is not vanity. Growth creates stability. It provides critical mass.”“Customers trust companies that can survive problems, not only celebrate successes.”“Electrification of vehicle propulsion suddenly made Emotor emulation essential.”“Technology matters. But persistence matters longer.”A conversation about engineering, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the reality behind building industrial technology companies from the ground up. 🚀