Following similar moves in Potsdam, Germany, and Belmont, in Silicon Valley, California, Volkswagen Group has opened a Future Center in Beijing, China the Future Center Asia.
“With these centres, we are breaking down the traditional barriers by bringing together exterior and interior designers; user experience experts; and specialists for AI, smart city, startup scouting and engineering,” said Jochem Heizmann, member of the board of management of Volkswagen as well as the president and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.
The Future Centers have been established in key regions to address “increasing regional differentiation” in the mobility market and access best talent pools. Future Center Asia will provide mobility solutions specifically for the Chinese and Asian markets and ideas and concepts that also can be transferred to the world.
“Future Center Asia is a strategic step for the future development of mobility solutions in China,” said Heizmann. “The breakneck speed at which our Chinese customers embrace a digital lifestyle and electric vehicles needs to be reflected in designs and services. Future Center Asia will be an inspiring think-tank for the region and worldwide. Above all, it will be guided by the demands of our current and future customers.”
While Future Center California draws on influences from Silicon Valley and focuses on the best digital user experience, UX software and accessible mobility solutions, Future Center Europe mainly works on the development of future mobility concepts based on self-driving automobiles like SEDRIC, as well as overall vehicle design.
Future Center Asia, meanwhile, works intensively on special design concepts for Chinese and Asian markets.