With the Carl Benz commemorative lecture, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Carl Benz School of Engineering will honor the ingenious automotive pioneer and graduate of the former Polytechnical School, the precursor of Universität Karlsruhe. Parallel to the Carl Benz commemorative lecture on Thursday, November 26, 16.30 hrs, KIT will celebrate the kick-off of the “Mobility Systems” focus.
Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, will make the Carl Benz commemorative lecture on the occasion of the 165th anniversary of the inventor of the automobile. The development of Carl Benz revolutionized individual mobility – the automobile that was produced in series for the first time in 1894, is considered a symbol of individual freedom. Nevertheless, automotive industry today is facing growing challenges. In the future, it will be important to offer sustainable driving solutions for all mobility requirements. Which chances does electromobility have in this respect? This will be a major aspect of the lecture by the Member of the Daimler Board of Management.
Mobility in the 21st century will then be dealt with by Wolfgang Dürheimer, Board Member for Research and Development of Porsche AG, and Dr. Bernd Bohr, Chairman of the Bosch Automotive Group. They will focus on the change of mobility in the past decades and on energy-efficient technologies in order to ensure mobility in the future.
The orientation and research topics of the KIT “Mobility Systems” Focus will be presented by Professor Frank Gauterin. Gauterin is the spokesman of the management of the Institute for Vehicle Technology and Mobile Working Machines. Together with Professor Albert Albers, who heads the Institute for Product Development, he also is the spokesman of the new KIT Focus.
Journalists are cordially invited. The event will take place on Thursday, November 26, 16.30 hrs at the Tulla-Hörsaal, building 11.40, KIT Campus South, Englerstraße 11. For registration, please use the form enclosed.
The KIT Mobility Systems Focus
The new KIT research focus that integrates the KIT Center of Automotive Research and Technology (KIT-CART) bundles KIT activities in the field of vehicle technology. Research concentrates on technologies for tomorrow’s mobility. Methodological and technical fundamentals are developed for future vehicles. KIT research focuses on land-bound vehicles, such as cars, commercial vehicles, mobile working machines, and railcars. It is the objective to develop energy-efficient, low-emission, and safe vehicles and mobility concepts. KIT research considers the entire system “vehicle, driver, transport, and society”. At the moment, more than 30 institutes on KIT Campus South and Campus North with a total of about 800 employees are involved in the KIT Mobility Systems Focus.
The International Department
The Carl Benz commemorative lecture at KIT is initiated and organized by the International Department (ID). Since its foundation in 1998 by Professor Hartmut Weule, former Daimler board member for technology, the International Department and Daimler AG have been closely related. The ID offers studies courses in English in engineering sciences to attract excellent foreign students. Apart from expert qualification in mechanical engineering, the studies also include internships at industry and accompanying studies of applied cultural science. In 2007, the bachelor studies course in mechanical engineering in the English language was given the name “Carl Benz School of Engineering” on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. With this, the university honored one of its most famous graduates and honorary doctor Carl Benz.
In addition, the ID offers five advanced training courses for management staff at the HECTOR School of Engineering and Management. The third pillar of activities of the ID is the Karlsruhe School of Optics with research-oriented master and Ph.D. studies courses in the fields of optics and photonics.
Program
16.30 hrs Welcome Address
Prof. Dr. Horst Hippler
President of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
16.45 hrs Carl Benz Commemorative Lecture
Dr. Thomas Weber
Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG,
responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars
Development
17.10 hrs Mobility in the 21st Century
Wolfgang Dürheimer
Board Member for Research and Development,
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Dr. Bernd Bohr
Chairman of the Bosch Automotive Group
18.00 hrs KIT Mobility Systems Focus – Objectives, Our Approach, Resources, and Structure
Prof. Dr. Frank Gauterin
Institute for Vehicle Technology and Mobile Working Machines
Moderated by
Prof. Dr. Frank Gauterin
The commemorative lecture will be followed by a small reception.