Audi 2014 Annual Report Download - page 97

Species protec-
tion starts right
outside the
door. The Audi
Environmental
Foundation
supports bee
projects large
and small.
Researching the world of bees
In cooperation with the Audi Environmental
Foundation and Klett MINT, Prof. Dr. Jürgen
Tautz has published a book presenting the
latest fi ndings of bee research. A wealth of
new data and insights have emerged from the
HOBOS project. The overarching theme is
the life cycle of a bee colony, from its forma-
tion to swarming to equipping the new home
to the breeding of o spring. Readers will be amazed and
impressed by the book, which features photographs by
Helga R. Heilmann and presents an engrossing picture of
the honey bee and bees as a superorganism.
For a free copy of the German book, just email your order to :
[e-mail]
The partnership for more in-depth research – and thus more
extensive protection of the honey bee – goes beyond purely
fi nancial support. Together with AUDI AG, the Audi Environmen-
tal Foundation is providing the site for the HOBOS 4.0 research
station : on the Audi Münchsmünster plant premises near
Ingolstadt. The plant primarily produces components used to
perfect the systematic use of lightweight construction, and
observations of the honey bees has given Audi insights relating
to bionics. So it is only natural that Apis mellifera should get
something in return.
Like all Audi Environmental Foundation projects, this one is
also oriented towards promoting a system that will be sustain-
able for humans and the environment. It befi ts the founda-
tion’s mission therefore to not only initiate projects, but also to
support them and play an active role in their ongoing develop-
ment over the long term.
PHOTOS : Sam Droege, AUDI AG, Stefan Warter, Anja Theismann