Aug 26, 2018 Each year, IPC APEX EXPO features industry’s most dynamic, innovative minds to deliver keynote presentations that are both educational and entertaining. IPC APEX EXPO 2019 will feature JB Straubel, chief technical officer (CTO) and co-founder of electric vehicle maker Tesla, Inc. Straubel will present “Accelerating and Disrupting Innovation: The Tesla Story” on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.
At Tesla, Straubel focuses on technical direction and engineering design including battery technology, power electronics, motors, software, firmware and controls. He also launched many Tesla initiatives including: the Tesla Energy business providing grid storage for commercial utilities and residential consumers; the worldwide Tesla Supercharger network of fast DC chargers; and the Tesla Gigafactory which is leading the way toward increasing worldwide battery production and lowering the cost per kWh. He also has responsibility for new technology evaluation, R&D and technical diligence review of key vendors.
Straubel has had a lifelong interest in electric vehicles, including rebuilding an electric golf cart at the age of 14, building an Electric Porsche 944 that held a world EV racing record, solar car racing and building a hybrid trailer system that he designed while in college. In 2008 the MIT Technology Review chose Straubel as “#1 Innovator of 35 under 35 for the year.” In 2009, DesignNews named him “Engineer of the Year,” and in 2015 he was listed as #2 on Fortune’s 40 under 40 most influential business and innovation leaders. In addition, Straubel is an inventor on more than 30 patents covering most areas of Tesla’s core battery, motor and controls systems. He received a BS in Energy Systems Engineering and an MS in Energy Engineering, emphasis on energy conversion, both from Stanford University. Outside of Tesla Motors, Straubel is also an active cyclist and pilot and holds private pilot, instrument, glider and multi-engine ratings.
Breaking through barriers to innovate faster and better has been Straubel’s strength.
In his presentation, Straubel will draw on his extensive experience and share the history of Tesla, detailing that innovation wasn’t an add-on to its operations but woven into every element of the business. He will also answer the perennial question, “How can my organization re-engineer itself to create products and ideas that answer 21st century needs?
Straubel’s opening keynote is free to all registered IPC APEX EXPO attendees. The conference and exhibition will run January 29–31, 2019. For more information, visit www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org.
IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 4,400 member-company sites which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Brussels, Belgium; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Suzhou and Beijing, China.
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