Brief Introduction

Ma Jun, Ph.D. in Engineering, is currently a tenured professor and Ph.D. supervisor at Tongji University, with a dual appointment at the College of Design and Innovation and the College of Automotive and Energy. He holds the Chair Professorship for Human-Machine Interaction(HMI) at the Sino-German College for Postgraduate Studies (CDHK). He also serves as the Deputy Director of the Intelligent Cabin Branch of the China Society of Automotive Engineers (China SAE). Professor Ma is the founder of the XAI Lab and the Human-Vehicle Relationship (HVR) Lab at Tongji University. He is a renowned expert in the fields of automotive Human-Machine Interaction(HMI),Human-Agent Interaction(HAI), and AI technologies for intelligent cabins.

In the industry and academia, Professor Ma Jun possesses nearly 30 years of cross-dimensional experience encompassing "research + industrial practice + investment and incubation". This includes 15 years of management and R&D experience in the overseas automotive industry. He has served as Vice Dean of the School of Automotive Studies at Tongji University and held executive positions at Continental AG and the AUDI Group. Since returning to China in 2004 to establish the direction of automotive product management, he has anchored his team's efforts on the strategic path of "technology introduction – deepening development – technology export". Over the past 20 years, his team has been deeply involved in the evolution of the Chinese automotive industry, witnessing China's cockpit transition from a follower to a global leader.

Focusing on the interdisciplinary integration of "Automotive + AI + Design", Professor Ma Jun has established two core academic systems:

1、In the field of Human-Machine Interaction(HMI), he proposed a full-process methodology for intelligent cockpit development: "Culture - Scenario - Concept - Validation". He positions cultural context and cross-cultural adaptation as the core anchors for intelligent cockpit experience design, aiming to resolve experience pain points in global market expansion and local implementation, thereby introducing China's intelligent cockpit technologies, products, and ecosystem to the world.

2、In the field of Cockpit Human-Agent Interaction(HAI), he leads the construction of a closed-loop "industry-academia-research" innovation system for cockpit intelligence, covering the entire spectrum from "theory - technology - validation - mass production". He founded the theoretical framework for intelligent cockpit HAI (Human-Agent Interaction). Centered around the "cloud-edge integrated cockpit agent", he established a comprehensive technical system encompassing "perception - cognition - execution - deployment". He has also facilitated the mass production and implementation of related technological achievements in mainstream automotive models from manufacturers such as Toyota, Volkswagen, and Zeekr.

In terms of academic achievements, Professor Ma Jun has published 2 monographs on automotive Human-Machine Interaction(HMI), 1 monograph on artificial intelligence for automotive cockpits, and has edited 2 textbooks on intelligent cockpits. He has also authored nearly 100 SCI/EI indexed papers, providing crucial support for talent cultivation, technological innovation, and the establishment of industry standards in the field.

Team Showcase

XAI Lab

Founded by Professor Ma Jun at Tongji University, the XAI Lab is a leading interdisciplinary research platform in the field of intelligent cockpit Human-Agent Interaction(HAI) in China. It focuses on the deep integration of "Automotive + AI + Design" with core objectives centered on theoretical originality, technological breakthroughs, industrial implementation, and standard setting. The lab conducts systematic research on directions such as intelligent cockpit HAI theory, vertical domain on-device large model training, intelligent infrastructure for cockpit agents, and user experience evaluation and standardization. It has established a complete research chain spanning theoretical construction, technology R&D, evaluation and validation, to industrial application.

The lab maintains deep collaborations with mainstream domestic and international automotive manufacturers, component suppliers, and industry organizations. It possesses scientific research support conditions including real-vehicle testing environments, scenario-based data platforms, and on-device inference capabilities, enabling direct translation of research findings into mass production.

Human-Vehicle Relationship (HVR) Lab

Originating from the Department of Automotive Product Management and Marketing at Tongji University, the Human-Vehicle Relationship Lab pioneered the concept of the "human-vehicle relationship." It formally established the first on-board usability laboratory in 2014 and has continuously refined and released its human-vehicle relationship evaluation system and research reports.

The lab focuses on exploring and establishing directions such as innovative automotive product definition, automotive Human-Machine Interaction(HMI) and human-vehicle relationship evaluation, automotive intelligent cockpit design and development, and innovative product design and business models. It has currently formed strategic partnerships with organizations including the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) and J.D. Power.

Research

Automotive Intelligent Cockpit HMI Theory and Methods

Automotive Intelligent Cockpit Human-Agent Interaction(HAI) Theory and Methods

Vertical Domain Large Model Technology for Intelligent Cockpits

International Cooperation and Exchange

Served as Guest Editor-in-Chief for the journal Automotive Innovation.
Engaged in exchanges regarding joint discipline development in HCI and intelligent cockpits with the University of Graz (Austria) and the Technical University of Munich (Germany).
International Academic Conferences:
2022 Forum on Automotive Electrification and Intelligent Technologies (Speaker)
2023 International Conference on Intelligent Connected Vehicles (Speaker)
2023 International Congress of Intelligent Cockpit (Speaker)
2023 World New Auto Technology Collaboration & Ecosystem Expo (Speaker)
2024 International Congress of Intelligent Cockpit (Speaker)
2025 The 33rd Gerpisa International Colloquium (Panelist)
2025 International Congress of Intelligent Cockpit (Sub-forum Moderator)
2025 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (Sub-forum Moderator)

Education Background

1992.06-1997.06  B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering and Automation, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
1997.09-1998.06  M.Sc. in Electronic Engineering and Automation, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
2003.09-2009.11  Ph.D. in Vehicle Engineering, School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, China

Work Experience

2017.02-present  Dual-Appointed Professor, College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University
2017.12-present  Professor, School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University
2005.11-2017.12  Associate Professor, School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University
2005.04-2016.09  Vice Dean, School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University
2001.04-2004.05  After-sales Service Director, AUDI AG, Germany
2000.09-2001.10  Automotive Electronics Project Manager, BMW Group, Germany
1998.08-2000.09  Project Manager, Continental AG, Germany

Design

Government-Sponsored / Vertical Projects:

[1] 2024.12-2026.09  Beijing Natural Science Foundation: "Research on Modeling and Evaluation of User Behavior Analysis Based on Multimodal Data of Intelligent Cockpit Interaction"
[2] 2023.01-2026.12  Strategic Research and Consulting Project, Chinese Academy of Engineering: Sub-project Leader - "Research on the Development Strategy of Hydrogen Energy for Ensuring Energy Security"
[3] 2019.01-2020.12  National Key R&D Program of China: Sub-project Leader - "Research on Charging Infrastructure Optimization based on Large-scale Electric Vehicle Application"
[4] 2019.01-2020.12  National Key R&D Program of China: Sub-project Leader - "Research on Hydrogen Leakage Safety Monitoring Technologies and Intelligent Test System Development"
[5] 2011.05-2014.04  National 863 Program: Project Leader - "Research on Key Technologies for High-performance Electric Vehicles Compatible with V2G Technology"
[6] 2011.01-2012.12  International S&T Cooperation Project: Project Leader - "Research on Key Technologies of Sino-German Electric Vehicle Powertrains and their Sustainable Commercial Promotion and Demonstration"
[7] 2011.04-2015.07  AUDI China Market Research Project (Intelligent Connected Telematics and MMI 3G+) (Project Leader)
[8] 2013.08-2017.12  AUDI Interior Concept Development (International Cooperation) (Project Leader)
[9] 2013.11-2014.12  Legislative Opinions/Interpretation for New Energy Vehicles in China (Project Leader)
[10] 2010.01-2012.09  International S&T Cooperation Project: Key Member - "R&D on Key Technologies for Powertrain, Power Supply, and Motors for Sino-German Clean Energy Vehicles"

Industry-Funded / Horizontal Projects:

[1] 2025.07-2025.09  Research on Generative AI Consulting for Intelligent Cockpits (Project Leader)
[2] 2024.10-2025.03  Overseas Market Research for Automotive Intelligent Cockpits (Project Leader)
[3] 2024.10-2025.02  Ford Model Benchmarking and Evaluation (Project Leader)
[4] 2023.10-2024.04  Co-creation Activities for Automotive Intelligent Experience (Project Leader)
[5] 2023.10-2024.04  CSAE Multimodal Human-Computer Interaction Research (Project Leader)
[6] 2023.04-2023.07  PSA In-vehicle Air Quality Research (Project Leader)
[7] 2023.11-2024.01  Strategic Consulting Research on Open Innovation (Project Leader)
[8] 2021.05-2023.05  Research Methods for Future Intelligent Cockpits (Project Leader)
[9] 2022.10-2023.02  2022 Tongji-BMW Co-creation Camp (Project Leader)
[10] 2022.12-2023.03  Research on PATEO Automotive Experience Management and Operation Methods (Project Leader)
[11] 2020.11-2021.12  BMW App User Research (Project Leader)
[12] 2021.05-2021.12  Multimodal Interaction Research (Project Leader)
[13] 2021.05-2021.12  PSA Annual Operation Collaboration (Project Leader)
[14] 2021.10-2021.12  2021 Tongji BMW Day - BMW China (Project Leader)
[15] 2021.10-2021.12  2021 Tongji BMW Day - BMW Brilliance (Project Leader)
[16] 2022.01-2022.12  Research on Trust Mechanisms for Intelligent Connected Vehicles (Project Leader)
[17] 2022.01-2022.12  Material Evaluation and Virtual Reality (VR) Technology Research (Project Leader)
[18] 2022.01-2022.12  Research on J.D. Power Emotional Experience Framework (Project Leader)
[19] 2022.01-2022.12  Research on PATEO Automotive Experience Management and Operation Methods (Project Leader)
[20] 2022.01-2022.12  BMW Metaverse Innovation Research (Project Leader)
[21] 2019.04-2019.12  Research and Development of AUDI's Future Facial Recognition Interaction Concepts (Project Leader)
[22] 2019.01-2019.12  2019 PSA Intelligent Connected Human-Computer Interaction Research Collaboration (Project Leader)
[23] 2018.12-2021.12  CATARC HMI Testing and Evaluation Strategic Cooperation System Development and Model Building Service (Project Leader)
[24] 2018.01-2018.12  2018 PSA Intelligent Connected Human-Computer Interaction Research Collaboration (Project Leader)
[25] 2017.07-2019.12  BMW China Air Lane Concept Development Project (Project Leader)
[26] 2017.01-2019.12  2017 PSA Intelligent Connected Human-Computer Interaction Research Collaboration (Project Leader)
[27] 2017.01-2017.12  2016 PSA Intelligent Connected Human-Computer Interaction Research Collaboration (Project Leader)
[28] 2016.01-2019.12  BMW New On-Demand Mobility Model In-depth Research Project (Application Scenario Development for Intelligent Connected Vehicles) (Project Leader)
[29] 2015.11-2019.11  2015 PSA Intelligent Connected Human-Computer Interaction Research Collaboration (Project Leader)
[30] 2014.05-2017.12  Peugeot Citroën (PSA) Agreement 2014 Air Quality (Intelligent Connected HMI) (Project Leader)
[31] 2014.05-2016.12  Peugeot Citroën (PSA) 2014 HMI (Intelligent Connected HMI) (Project Leader)
[32] 2012.06-2016.12  AUDI Technical Standard Research (Intelligent Connected Vehicles) (Project Leader)
[33] 2010.09-2011.09  ECHO Performance Testing (BMW Electric Vehicle Integration and Testing) (Project Leader)
[34] 2010.06-2010.12  BEV Audi A6L Project Agreement (AUDI Electric Vehicle and Traction Battery Development) (Project Leader)
[35] 2010.05-2010.10  Preliminary Concept Study for PSA Electric Vehicles in China (Project Leader)
[36] 2009.08-2011.05  E60 CHL BEV Conversion Development (BMW Electric Vehicle and Traction Battery Development) (Project Leader)
[37] 2009.09-2009.12 User Survey on Voice Recognition Functions for HMI Prototypes (Intelligent Connected HMI) (Project Leader)
[38] 2008.10-2009.09  Study on Mobile Phone Usage Patterns in Vehicles in China (Communication Technology and Models for Intelligent Connected Vehicles) (Project Leader)
[39] 2008.05-2011.05  Research Project on 3G-based In-vehicle Applications (Intelligent Connected Communication) (Project Leader)

Patents:

[1] Integrated Steering and Suspension System, 2015.11.18, China, Patent No. ZL201110326306.2
[2] Braking System with Integrated Manual and Drive-by-Wire Control, 2015.08.26, China, Patent No. ZL201110317442.5

Publications

Books and Textbooks:

[1] Ma, J., Feng, X., & Hu, Z. (2025). Innovative Design and Entrepreneurship Frontiers. Tongji University Press.

[2] Gong, Z., & Ma, J. (2022). Automotive Human-Machine Interaction Evaluation Methods. China Machine Press. (Monograph)

[3] He, Y., Ma, J., & Xu, W. (2013). Automotive Marketing Planning (2nd ed.). Beijing Institute of Technology Press.

[4] Zhu, S., Yu, Z., Chen, Y., He, Y., & Ma, J. (2008). A Brief History of Automobiles. Tongji University Press.

[5] Ma, J., Ni, M., He, Y., & Xu, W. (2007). Automotive Financial Services. Beijing Institute of Technology Press.

Recent Key Publications:

[1] Feng, X., Du, H., Ma, J., Wang, H., Zhou, L., & Wang, M. (2025). Crafting user-centric prompts for UI generations based on Kansei engineering and knowledge graph. Advanced Engineering Informatics, *65*, 103217.

[2] Ma, J., Zhang, X., Xu, W., Li, J., Gong, Z., & Zhao, J. (2025). One-pedal or two-pedal: Does the regenerative braking system improve driving safety?. Accident Analysis & Prevention, *210*, 107832.

[3] Ma, J., Zuo, Y., Du, H., Wang, Y., Tan, M., & Li, J. (2025). Interactive Output Modalities Design for Enhancement of User Trust Experience in Highly Autonomous Driving. International Journal of Human--Computer Interaction, *41*(10), 6172-6190.

[4] Ma, J., Zuo, Y., Gong, Z., & Meng, Y. (2025). Design methodology and evaluation of multimodal interaction for enhancing driving safety and experience in secondary tasks of IVIS. Displays, *87*, 102991.

[5] Xu, W., Zhao, J., Li, J., Zhang, X., Huang, H., Gong, Z., & Ma, J. (2025). Effects of Smart Cockpit Steering Wheel Control Gestures on List Selection Tasks. International Journal of Human--Computer Interaction, 1-16.

[6] Guo, M., Wei, Y., Zhang, J., Huang, Q., Jin, X., & Ma, J. (2024). Optimizing Driver Vigilance Recognition: Examining the Characterization and Cumulative Effect of Physiological Signals Across Manual and Automated Driving and Durations. Applied Sciences, *14*(22), 10482.

[7] Lin, Q., Hu, Z., & Ma, J. (2024). The personality of the intelligent cockpit? exploring the personality traits of in-vehicle llms with psychometrics. Information, *15*(11), 679.

[8] Ma, J., & Bai, Y. (2024). Research on In-Vehicle Navigation Interaction Design Based on Contextual Engine. Automotive Engineering, *46*(1), 18-28.

[9] Ma, J., & Feng, X. (2024). Analysing the effects of scenario-based explanations on automated vehicle hmis from objective and subjective perspectives. Sustainability, *16*(1), 63.

[10] Ma, J., Gong, Y., & Xu, W. (2024). Predicting user preference for innovative features in intelligent connected vehicles from a cultural perspective. World Electric Vehicle Journal, *15*(4), 130.

[11] Ma, J., Li, J., Wang, W., Huang, H., Zhang, X., & Zhao, J. (2023). The impact of copilot displays use on driver workload and driving performance exploring the impact of copilot display on drivers' workload and driving performance. Applied Ergonomics, *114*, 104138-104138.

[12] Ma, J., Li, Y., & Zuo, Y. (2024). Design and Evaluation of Ecological Interface of Driving Warning System Based on AR-HUD. Sensors, *24*(24), 8010.

[13] Ma, J., Zuo, Y., Jolimoy, O., Gong, Z., & Xu, W. (2024). ADAS Alarm Sound Design for Autonomous Vehicles Based on Local Optimization: A Case Study in Shanghai, China. Applied Sciences, *14*(22), 10733.

[14] Ma, J., Guo, Y., Xu, W., & Li, J. (2023). Effect of directional auditory takeover request on takeover behavior and eye movement in conditionally automated driving. World Electric Vehicle Journal, *14*(3), 70.

[15] Ma, J., Li, J., & Gong, Z. (2022). Evaluation of driver distraction from in-vehicle information systems: A simulator study of interaction modes and secondary tasks classes on eight production cars. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, *92*, 103380.

[16] Ma, J., Li, J., & Huang, H. (2022). Evaluation of multimodal and multi-staged alerting strategies for forward collision warning systems. Sensors, *22*(3), 1189.

[17] Ma, J., Pan, W., & Xu, W. (2022). Usability Evaluation of In-Vehicle Instant Messaging Applications with Multimodal Interaction. Transactions of Beijing Institute of Technology, *42*(12), 1264-1272.

[18] Ma, J., & Rong, W. (2022). Pedestrian crossing intention prediction method based on multi-feature fusion. World Electric Vehicle Journal, *13*(8), 158.

[19] Ma, J., Li, J., Gong, Z., & Huang, H. (2022). An adaptive multi-staged forward collision warning system using a light gradient boosting machine. Information, *13*(10), 483.

[20] Ma, J., Gong, Z., Tan, J., Zhang, Q., & Zuo, Y. (2020). Assessing the driving distraction effect of vehicle HMI displays using data mining techniques. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, *69*, 235-250.

Contact

Email：majun.tongji@foxmail.com