Topics

When Software Meets Hardware: Technical Communication for Cyber-Physical Products

Cyber-physical products, such as connected vehicles, smart machines, medical devices, and robots, combine software, hardware, data, and human interaction. As products become increasingly connected, intelligent, and continuously updated, technical communication faces new challenges beyond traditional software or hardware documentation.

Technical communicators must increasingly explain not only individual components, but also how systems behave, evolve, and interact throughout the product lifecycle. At the same time, increasing demands for safety, security, transparency, and regulatory compliance add new layers of complexity.

NORDIC TechKomm Stockholm 2027 explores how technical communication can help users understand, trust, operate, and maintain these software-defined products and systems. It creates an important space for practitioners, researchers, engineers, and designers to share new methods and approaches.

Here are some topic examples. We do, however, welcome as well other suggestions of associated topic areas:

• Legal, Regulatory and Standards: EU AI Act, EU Cyber Resilience Act, Machinery Regulation, product liability, IEC/ISO standards, Digital Product Passport
• Safety, Risk, and Trust: Safety communication, warnings, error scenarios, risk analysis, safety engineering, cybersecurity, Compliance-by-Design, traceability
• AI and Automation in Technical Communication: Generative AI, AI-assisted authoring, RAG, AI agents, automation, quality assurance, ethics and trust
• UX, Information Design, and Human-Machine Interaction: Information architecture, usability, User-Centered Design, visualization, UX writing, dashboards, interfaces, Human-Machine Interaction
• Information Modeling and Intelligent Content: Knowledge Graphs, ontologies, semantic data, structured content, content reuse, legacy documentation, intelligent language
• Documentation in Modern Product Development: Agile, DevOps, system engineering, CI/CD, Docs-as-Code, integrated documentation workflows
• Communicating Software-Hardware Systems: API documentation, embedded guidance, firmware documentation, service documentation, connected product ecosystems, Digital Twins, software-hardware integration
• Product Lifecycle, Service and Sustainability: Integrated Product Support (IPS), maintenance, service information, training, spare parts, lifecycle support, sustainability, repairability, circular economy, Digital Product Passport

Presentation Formats

You can choose between these formats:

• Presentation, 45 min (conveys information, presentation with subsequent discussion).
• Partner presentation, 45 min (conveys information, presentation of a case study or real practice. Manufacturers and service providers: The starting point is the situation at the manufacturer's site).
• Tutorial, 60 min (for learning purposes, practical demonstration of an application or method).
• Workshop, 90 min (for learning purposes, interactive group work with participants, strong practical relevance).
• Meetup, 30 min (serves the exchange and networking between the participants in small groups, moderated discussion between the participants).

Target Audience

NORDIC TechKomm 2027 is aimed at technical communication professionals eager to explore and discuss the latest industry trends. With a particular focus on ‘Technical Communication for Cyber-Physical Products’ the conference will explore how regulation and standards, technology-enabled compliance, user experience, and integrated product support frameworks are shaping technical communication for cyber-physical products, among other topics.

We anticipate 100 international participants from a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including technical writers, UX writers, information designers, technical communication managers, content architects, and many others.

How to submit your proposal

Please submit your proposal (including your presentation title, abstract and bio) by registering and logging in with the "my conference tool". You can find all the information on how to submit your proposal on this page.

Evaluation of the Papers Submitted

Papers will be selected exclusively by the advisory board, consisting of local and international experts in the field of technical communication, for an audience of professionals with extensive experience and technical backgrounds.

How do you become a speaker?

Of course we won't leave you stranded – especially if you are planning to become a speaker for the first time. There are questions that we would be happy to clarify with you and uncertainties that we will gladly clear up for you. You can find more information on how to become a speaker here.