Audi 2015 Annual Report Download - page 31

Seventy-two days later and almost , kilometers away : After
the theoretical discussion at the meet-up, today some of the par-
ticipants are experiencing what piloted driving really feels like. On
the racetrack near Barcelona, Audi shows that this is no longer
science fi ction – it is reality. Jay is thrilled : “What I didn’t expect
is that the piloted cars drive very organically. As if they have their
own personality. The driven lines deviate a tiny bit from each
other despite identical programming, since the cars adapt to the
EXPERIENCING
THE FUTURE TODAY
current road conditions. It felt as if a human was driving.” Albert
is surprised as well : “I wouldn’t have thought that I could take my
eyes o the steering wheel so soon. You trust the car very quickly.”
After the drive the discussion is rekindled. The ideas from the
meet-up enter the next round, are refi ned and made more
and more specifi c. Paolo is confi dent : “This is the future. It
was impressive to already be able to experience that today.”
If you would like to get a taste of the kinds of driving
adventure awaiting us in the future, you can get a first
impression right now. Better buckle up tight. Click here
to view the video.
AUDI INNOVATION RESEARCH
The interdisciplinary think tank AIR is an important com-
ponent of the worldwide innovation network of Audi and
has o ces in Beijing and San Francisco. AIR Beijing regu-
larly compiles market research analyses and, based on the
results, has contributed signifi cantly to the brand strate-
gy for the Chinese market. The focal point of digitalization
lies in San Francisco, the gateway to Silicon Valley : “We
identify trends here and cooperate with start-up compa-
nies whose products could be interesting for Audi and
that
create value for our customers,” says Boris Meiners,
Head of Audi Brand Development. “We are driving the
digitalization of the automotive sector forward this way.”
Audi is demonstrating its presence this way locally – since
it is crucial in Silicon Valley to not only answer the phone,
but to knock on doors as well. “This way we are integrat-
ing the innovative power of Silicon Valley into our Audi
network,” adds Markus Auerbach, Head of AIR in San Fran-
cisco. In the long term, Audi Innovation Research wants
to establish an innovation platform with experts from all
over the world who can work with Audi in various projects.
www.audi.com/air/en.html
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