As part of the automaker’s commitment to developing new sustainable technologies and promoting innovation in engineering, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development of AUDI AG and head of cross-brand Research Development at Volkswagen AG, delivered a keynote address at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS). In his address, Prof. Dr. Hackenberg discussed strategies and solutions for shaping the “Sustainable Mobility of the Future” which was also the title of his speech.
Both Volkswagen and Audi are committed to sustainability across all product segments and throughout the supply chain. The companies offer a comprehensive set of drive technologies including optimized high-tech combustion engines, fully electric vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and e-gas powered cars. Alternative drivetrains from Volkswagen and Audi will be tailor-made to meet customer expectations in terms of performance and driving pleasure, benchmarking efficiency and cost-effectiveness. More than 150 Stanford students, faculty and media who attended the keynote, had the chance to learn more about several sustainable mobility exhibits on display. Central to the showcase was the sporty and efficient Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid and the VW XL 1, the first one-liter car ready for series production.
Stanford University, located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, is one of the leading teaching and research universities of the world. It continues to be a shining example for universities all around the globe through its creative fusion of scientific research and entrepreneurial spirit. Volkswagen AG and Stanford University cooperate on a number of projects related to automotive technologies.
Prof. Dr. Hackenberg is an internationally recognized industry veteran with proven expertise in innovative car manufacturing. He is the creative head of the modular matrix strategy for efficient automotive engineering, a concept that has been implemented throughout the brands of Volkswagen Group with the goal of effectively transferring groundbreaking technical innovation into actual series production.
Prof. Dr. Hackenberg has been a dedicated lecturer to engineering students around the world for many years and is personally committed to igniting engineering students’ passion for technology by sharing his expertise from three decades in research and development with AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG. Since 2007, Prof. Dr. Hackenberg has lectured as a visiting professor at Tongji University in Shanghai, China. Since 2000, Tongji and Volkswagen AG have worked together to develop close relationship dedicated to engineering research and education. In addition, Prof. Dr. Hackenberg holds a teaching engagement at Tsinghua University in Bejing, China.
Prof. Dr. Hackenberg is an alumnus of Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen/Germany, one of the leading technical universities in Europe, where he studied mechanical engineering.
As a leading premium car manufacturer and sought-after employer with 12 production sites in ten countries, Audi has always been committed to building and maintaining sustainable relations with universities worldwide. At present, there are almost 30 international universities involved in projects that support the company’s global research and development network. Audi continues to build relationships with students and scientists to learn about future mobility trends and customer expectations.