Harman champions fast-paced innovation in China's evolving tech scene

Harman International Industries, a global leader in automotive and consumer electronics innovation, expressed its deep admiration for the strength and dynamism of the Chinese market, recognizing its important role as a center for commercial growth and technological innovation, said its top executive.

As China redefines speed in the auto industry with rapid model launches, Christian Sobottka, Harman's president and CEO, said that to keep pace, Harman has created the "Ready" products - pre-developed solutions to deliver "Consumer Experiences, Automotive Grade" within a relatively short timeframe through modular, collaborative innovation.

"There are building blocks available from the Ready product family. If they are applied in the right sense and in the right way, in close collaboration with the automakers, it is possible to achieve the kind of speed that is currently well recognized in China," said Sobottka.

While taking media interviews in Shanghai, Sobottka marked his first visit to China since assuming the role of Harman's CEO in early April, highlighting the vitality and opportunities the Chinese market offers within the company's broader vision.

"This enables automakers to reduce development cycles from years to mere months and significantly reduce their operational costs. These technologies feature AI-driven personalization, real-time updates, satellite connectivity and emotionally intelligent in-car experiences through interactive avatars like Luna," he added.

After showcasing Luna during the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this year, Harman received significant market recognition in a short period and brought this advanced technology to the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2025) from April 23 to May 2.

Sobottka described today's vehicles as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds, noting that automotive innovation now extends beyond traditional engineering to focus on providing personalized and seamless user experiences that integrate into all aspects of daily life.

"I think these factors are now further driven by the availability of data and AI. As AI is highly likely to significantly transform human-machine interaction, our mission is to connect these different industries through a seamless user experience," he noted.

As expectations for AI applications in vehicles grow rapidly in China, Sobottka noted that in-vehicle intelligent technologies have advanced swiftly in the country. This represents a clearly tailored approach.

His remarks align with broader market trends. According to a study released by Beijing-based North China University of Technology, Chinese automakers have notably accelerated efforts to integrate cutting-edge technologies into their vehicles. From autonomous driving to AI-powered cabins, modern vehicles are evolving into intelligent terminals that seamlessly combine mobility, connectivity and artificial intelligence.

Standing out amid the intense competition, Harman has long been a leader in designing, engineering and producing innovative products and connected solutions for automakers, consumers and corporate clients.

The company focuses on advanced technologies across its three core business segments: automotive, lifestyle and digital transformation solutions, also known as tech services.

With well-known brands including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson and Revel, Harman's products are widely used by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with the company's audio and connected car systems.

Its tech services enable secure and integrated connectivity across billions of devices and systems, ranging from home and office environments to vehicles and mobile platforms.

Supported by more than 30,000 employees across the world, Harman has a workforce exceeding 5,000 in China, with over 1,200 of them engaging in product development and design.

"We have had a strong team in China for many years, deeply immersed in the unique speed and rhythm of the market," said Sobottka, adding that it is truly inspiring to see them embrace and drive innovation at the remarkable pace that defines China's dynamic environment.

To meet the expectations of tech-savvy Chinese consumers, who are known for demanding speed, style and constant evolution, Sobottka said that Harman will continue to tailor its offerings based on local insights.

As China advances consumption upgrading and technological innovation, the country has a growing demand on high-tech products and service solutions from multinational corporations to enhance industrial capabilities, foster smart development and jointly build a more sustainable and intelligent future, said Sun Fuquan, a researcher at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Harman has been leveraging its parent company Samsung's ecosystem to expand interoperability across home, mobile and mobility scenarios. This approach aims to build a future where users enjoy uninterrupted digital experiences from their living room to their car and beyond.

"With this advantage, we are driving and innovating on consumer experiences in all kinds of situations in life. We have a large portfolio of brands, and we are building cultural relevance around them," said Sobottka. "So that is a bit of the story of Harman looking backward, and looking forward, I think we have some great ideas on how we can shape the future."

Sobottka praised the company's lifestyle team as a dynamic and high-performing group that has built a remarkably successful business in China, centered around its flagship brands JBL and Harman Kardon.

These brands are not only widely recognized, but also culturally relevant. From a technology standpoint, the products are highly compelling, offering standout features. But what truly sets them apart is their identity - a blend of cutting-edge tech and fashion-forward lifestyle appeal, he said, stressing that strengthening the cultural and technological resonance of Harman's iconic brands remains a core focus of its China innovation strategy.

In addition, while these product solutions currently operate independently, Sobottka said they are progressively evolving into components of a larger, connected ecosystem. Harman's long-term ambition is to unify consumer experience across diverse environments - automotive, lifestyle and audio - through a fully interoperable platform, with future integration into Samsung's ecosystem envisioned to further extend its reach.

"With this, we hope to create a higher level of user engagement, and a better and deeper impact regarding the user experience we create," he said.