Cognata appoints senior strategy and policy director

Autonomous deep learning simulation firm Cognata has announced the appointment of US-based Heikki Laine as Senior Director of Strategy and Policy, with a focus on autonomous vehicle safety.

Laine will be responsible for executing on the company’s strategy for safety standards and regulations and for establishing strategic partnerships.

"Safety and regulations will be a crucial determining factor in the smooth transition to autonomous vehicles"

– Heikki Laine, Cognata

“Appropriate guidelines are critical for the rollout of Autonomous Vehicles,” said Alon Podhurst, the company’s VP of Sales.

“Heikki brings a wealth of experience in executive roles in the automotive space. We are certain that Heikki’s deep industry knowledge and ties will prove invaluable to establishing simulation as a cornerstone of safe deployment of autonomous vehicles.”

Prior to joining Cognata, Heikki served as Technology Strategy Manager at Honeywell, a diversified Fortune 100 aerospace, controls, and industrial technology company. Before Honeywell, Heikki was a key contributor for automotive cybersecurity standards and guidelines in senior managerial roles at automotive Tier 1 supplier HARMAN.

“I am excited to join Cognata at the inception of public policy development around autonomous vehicles and public safety,” said Laine.

“Safety and regulations will be a crucial determining factor in the smooth transition to autonomous vehicles. The industry is aware that safety and innovation need to come hand-in-hand as the automotive industry makes this leap forward.”