Hanging Context
MANIFEST · #1781745252803793223

New Professorship: Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität Braunschweig Strengthen Research on AI and Mobility

Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität Braunschweig are partnering to establish a new professorship focused on "AI Methods in Product Development." This initiative aims to significantly expand top-level research in mobility, accelerate the transfer of AI-driven scientific findings into industrial practice, and foster new AI-based development processes. The professorship will be based at TU Braunschweig's Institute of Engineering Design, working closely with the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen.

Tags

HSIs ing Motive VER volkswagen Angela Ittel Hauke Stars Braunschweig Europe Germany Lower Saxony Wolfsburg AI Agents Artificial Intelligence Autonomous Vehicles

Key points

Notable quotes

Artificial intelligence is a key technology for the future of the Volkswagen Group.

— Hauke Stars

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming product development.

— Angela Ittel

The close transfer of knowledge between research and industry enables us and our partners in the supplier industry to secure crucial know-how at an early stage.

— Hauke Stars

Structured claims — 34

  1. 1
    Monitor this partnership as a key initiative for AI integration in automotive product development, indicating a strategic shift in research and talent acquisition for both organizations.
    “Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig establish a new professorship focusing on "AI Methods in Product Development"”
    Entities: Volkswagen Group, Technische Universität Braunschweig, AI Methods in Product Development
  2. 2
    Track the scope of AI applications in mobility research, as this claim outlines the broad ambition for the professorship's impact on the field.
    Entities: Artificial intelligence
  3. 3
    Monitor for new methodologies and process innovations emerging from this professorship, which could influence industry standards for AI-driven development.
    Entities: Artificial intelligence
  4. 4
    Benchmark this initiative against other industry-academia collaborations for its effectiveness in bridging the gap between research and practical application, a key challenge in AI adoption.
    “Goal is to accelerate transfer of scientific findings into industrial practice”
    Entities: Volkswagen Group, Technische Universität Braunschweig
  5. 5
    Track the specific areas of AI application within mobility research, as these represent key focus areas for future innovation and potential competitive advantage.
    Entities: Artificial intelligence, autonomous driving functions
  6. 6
    Route inquiries about collaboration or talent acquisition to the specified institute, as it will be the operational hub for this AI research.
    “The professorship will be located at the Institute of Engineering Design at TU Braunschweig”
    Entities: Institute of Engineering Design, Technische Universität Braunschweig
  7. 7
    Identify NFF as a key collaborator, indicating potential for leveraging its existing infrastructure and network for AI mobility research.
    Entities: Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen
  8. 8
    Benchmark NFF's scale and network against other research centers to understand the potential impact and reach of the new professorship's collaborations.
    Entities: Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen, Europe
  9. 9
    Track the hiring timeline for this professorship, as the appointment of a lead researcher will be a critical milestone for the initiative's progress.
  10. 10
    Note the long-term commitment to this research area, indicating a sustained investment beyond the initial five-year period.
  11. 11
    This statement from a Volkswagen Group Board Member signals a high-level strategic priority for AI within the company, impacting future R&D and investment decisions.
    “Artificial intelligence is a key technology for the future of the Volkswagen Group”
    Entities: Artificial intelligence, Volkswagen Group, Hauke Stars
  12. 12
    Model the potential impact of AI adoption on Volkswagen Group's time-to-market and operational efficiency, as stated by a key executive.
    Entities: Artificial intelligence, Volkswagen Group, Hauke Stars
  13. 13
    Track Volkswagen Group's talent acquisition and internal training initiatives related to AI, as this indicates ongoing investment in human capital.
    Entities: Volkswagen Group, Artificial intelligence, Hauke Stars
  14. 14
    Monitor this initiative as a data point for Germany's national strategy to bolster AI research capabilities and maintain competitiveness.
    Entities: Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany, Hauke Stars
  15. 15
    Identify this as a strategic move to de-risk future technology adoption and ensure a competitive advantage for Volkswagen Group and its supply chain.
    Entities: Volkswagen Group, Hauke Stars
  16. 16
    This statement from TU President Angela Ittel highlights the perceived disruptive impact of AI on product development, indicating a need for companies to adapt their strategies.
    “Artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming product development”
    Entities: Artificial intelligence, Angela Ittel
  17. 17
    This claim underscores the increasing importance of software engineering and digital capabilities in the automotive industry, impacting talent needs and R&D focus.
    Entities: Angela Ittel
  18. 18
    This strong assertion positions AI as central to future mobility innovations, guiding strategic investments and partnerships in the sector.
    “AI is the driving force for the next generation of mobility.”
    Entities: Artificial intelligence, Angela Ittel
  19. 19
    This highlights a best practice for fostering impactful research, suggesting a model for other institutions and corporations seeking to drive innovation.
    Entities: Angela Ittel
  20. 20
    Track the specific research outcomes and contributions from this professorship to assess its impact on future mobility solutions.
    Entities: Artificial intelligence, Angela Ittel
  21. 21
    Monitor the professorship's role in regional economic development and innovation, particularly its ability to attract and foster startups and research partners in Lower Saxony.
    Entities: Lower Saxony
  22. 22
    Identify potential collaboration opportunities for external entities within the Lower Saxony region, indicating a broader impact beyond the immediate partners.
    Entities: Lower Saxony
  23. 23
    This highlights a mechanism for effective knowledge transfer, suggesting a model for other research initiatives aiming for practical industrial application.
  24. 24
    Track the professorship's impact on the speed of technology adoption and the sustainability of industrial processes, indicating its potential for broad economic and environmental benefits.
  25. 25
    This foundational statement explains the underlying driver for the need for advanced technologies like AI in automotive development.
  26. 26
    This indicates a growing market for high-performance technologies and a shift in R&D priorities across the automotive value chain.
  27. 27
    This reinforces AI's critical role in the automotive industry, guiding investment and strategic focus for technology providers and manufacturers.
    Entities: Artificial intelligence
  28. 28
    Identify digital twins as a key AI application in automotive development, indicating a trend towards virtual prototyping and testing.
    Entities: digital twins, Artificial intelligence
  29. 29
    Track the adoption and impact of digital twin technology on development efficiency and innovation capacity in the automotive sector.
    Entities: digital twins
  30. 30
    This indicates a fundamental shift away from traditional physical prototyping towards digital methods, impacting manufacturing and R&D budgets.
    Entities: digital twins

Source

Source
volkswagen-group-news
Record title
New Professorship: Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität Braunschweig Strengthen Research on AI and Mobility
Published
May 28, 2026
URL
https://volkswagen-group.com/en/press-releases/new-professorship-volkswagen-group-and-technische-universitaet-braunschweig-strengthen-research-on-ai-and-mobility-20416
Manifest ID
1781745252803793223
Significance
medium
Sentiment
positive