WMG is pleased to announce the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WMG, at the University of Warwick signed by its Chairman Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, and the Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR), signed by CEO Wilfried Enzenhofer and its shareholder representative, Deputy State Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer.

The MoU will see both parties work side-by-side to collaborate on key research projects relating to intelligent vehicles, lightweight materials, metrology, and energy storage.

Upon signing the agreement, Thomas Stelzer, Wilfried Enzenhofer and the Upper Austrian delegation were given a guided tour of WMG’s world-class research and development facilities for these areas.

Dr Stewart Birrell, one of WMG’s intelligent vehicles experts, introduced them to the state-of-the-art ‘3xD Simulator for Intelligent Vehicles’ and WMG’s work with local partner RDM to test driverless pods.

They were also shown the latest developments in the Automotive Composites Research Centre, before participating in an interactive demonstration from the Product Evaluation Technologies (PET) group which including the 3D power wall in Premium Vehicle Customer Interface Technologies.

The visitors were also interested to hear about the impact and reach of major programmes such as the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and their work with industry to accelerate the delivery of innovations to market.

Wilfried Enzenhofer said: “With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between WMG and the Upper Austrian Research we are very confident that we have created the basis for an efficient cooperation and know-how transfer between our research organisations in the future.”

“We highly appreciate having had this unique opportunity to visit WMG and to get an insight into its impressing research activities”, concludes Upper Austrian Deputy State Governor and delegation lead Thomas Stelzer after the signing of the MoU.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said “It was a great pleasure to meet with both Thomas Stelzer, and Wilfried Enzenhofer and for them to see first-hand the projects we are working on. This will be important as we start to explore the opportunities for both parties.”

Notes to Editors

Background information Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR):

The Upper Austrian Research GmbH is the leading company for non-university research of the federal province of Upper and a key player in the research, technology and innovation policy. It supports the province in the development of research programmes and the strategic continued development of Upper Austria’s key technologies and fields of action. Together with its associated companies it promotes innovative solutions at the crossroads where fundamental research meets applied research and offers businesses of every size access to R & D of the highest quality.

Associated Companies of Upper Austrian Research GmbH are:

· Center for Advanced Bioanalysis GmbH (CBL)

· Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH (WOOD K plus)

· Linz Center of Mechatronics GmbH (LCM)

· Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL)

· PROFACTOR GmbH

· Research Center for Non Destructive Testing GmbH (RECENDT)

· RISC Software GmbH

· Software Competence Center Hagenberg GmbH (SCCH)

· Transfercenter für Kunststofftechnik GmbH (TCKT)

· tech2b Inkubator GmbH (tech2b)