Daimler strengthens international research and development network with new site in India

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Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) formally opened its new site in Bangalore today. With 1,200 employees, MBRDI is the largest Daimler research and development centre outside Germany, and it also is the largest and ultramodern centre run by any German car manufacturer in India.

The company's Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development unit is strengthening its international knowledge network as part of the Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy. Already today, research and development staff is working at 22 sites in eight countries in order to meet the challenges of the future. Around 21,000 people work in research and development within the Daimler AG, including 4,300 outside Germany, creating a vast pool of knowledge covering a wide range of disciplines.

"Our new centre of competence in Bangalore gives us direct access to a highly qualified workforce and excellent networking with the locally based international and national supply industry," states Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "With enormous growth potential, India is one of the core markets within our global strategy Mercedes-Benz 2020. With our new research site MBRDI we are further expanding our presence on the market, in order to be closer to the customer also in terms of research and development."

MBRDI started off with just ten employees in 1996 and has since transformed itself from a purely research-based site for IT and vehicle electrics/electronics into a centre of competence with know-how in the fields of design (Computer Aided Design), simulation (Computer Aided Engineering), electrics/electronics (EE) and information technology (IT) for all divisions across the Daimler AG. The Indian site MBRDI filed 50 patent applications in 2012 alone.

"Our international research and development sites are the perfect complement to the R&D activities in Germany, helping to ensure the long-term success and the competitiveness of our traditional research and development sites," adds Professor Weber.

One project that exemplifies the cooperation between the world-wide sites is the "Human Body Modelling" (HBM) simulation tool, which was developed in close collaboration with the German research and development sites. In accident simulations, HBM enables a wide range of parameters to be taken into account, such as biomechanics, physical properties of the human body and many different crash situations. This globally unique system therefore allows evaluation of very complex accident situations and thus helps to make vehicle designs even safer by considering numerous different factors.

Wilfried Porth, Management Board Member for Human Resources, Labor Relations Director and responsible for IT at Daimler AG: “The close cooperation between our global R&D sites is of major strategic importance. It is only possible with a strong and integrated IT structure. Bangalore is a crucial part of our global IT landscape, both in engineering and non-engineering. We will use this IT know-how of the Indian “Silicon Valley” for the whole Daimler Group in order to support our profitability and growth.“

Global knowledge network

The company has representation wherever the centres of competence for relevant fields of knowledge are based – with highly qualified researchers and the appropriate "scientific community". Other local focal points of development are situated near the key production plants. These international activities focus on creating direct benefit for the customer through greater innovative pace and strength as well as shorter development times. This enables tailored solutions for particular growth markets.

The global knowledge network and the high level of investment in research and technology are essential investments in the future of the automobile and, therefore, in the competitiveness of the entire Daimler AG. In 2012, as in the prior year, Daimler invested €5.6 billion in research and development, with further investment totalling €10.8 billion planned for the period 2013 to 2014.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Daimler AG infusing more cash for R&D activities

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As part of the daring challenge to reach the summit of the premium automotive industry by the end of 2020, Daimler AG (through its Mercedes-Benz brand) has understood that the core of a sustainable development is the massive investment in R&D activities. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, head of the Daimler management board and boss of the Mercedes-Benz Cars division, together with Dr. Thomas Weber, leader of the R&D department, have set up a coherent plan to technologically enhance the forthcoming vehicle generations with an extensive package of systems and dedicated solutions to ease the life of the driver and passengers and make driving an even safer and more enjoyable experience.

The extensive research in key areas such as vehicle security, on-board telecommunication or efficiency, helps gather crucial knowledge and understanding about the stringent areas that need urgent improvement. Moreover, along with the release of quality, state-of-the-art, pioneering technologies ahead of the competition that can make a difference on the market, it also forms a solid basis for future revenue. More money now means even more money in the future.

One of the very first technical masterpieces that will usher the automobile world very soon is the new S-Class, which comes packed full of latest technology. The W 222 will be the first luxury model to feature an Autonomous Driving Pilot and the first to recognize whether the driver travels on the wrong side of the road through the Real Life Safety system. Moreover, the new S-Class will be able to anticipate an imminent accident and mitigate as much as possible the negative consecutive effects of the incident. In some circumstances, the new Merc will also be able to take control of the car and increase the brake pressure or veer off to minimize the damages in the event of a head on/rear end collision with the help of an advanced Collision Prevention Assist (CPA) system.

You can read more interesting stuff about the new S-Class in our dedication section at http://bit.ly/V6daqo !

Returning back to the main topic of the article, the key approach directions for Mercedes-Benz in the next years are:

- the development of powerfully efficient internal combustion engines, which aim to achieve increased performance, more fuel economy and low levels of CO2 emissions;

- the development of sustainable powering solutions as an attractive alternative to traditional IC powerplants - all-electric and plug-in hybrid are the ways to go;

- the development of futuristic, yet highly helpful in-car communication systems that enhance the interactions: car-to-car, car-to-driver, car-to-internet

- the continuous involvement in the research and development of new technologies which provide a greater level of road safety and improve driving dynamics;

- seeking new opportunities and developing new means of personal mobility in the all-so crowded cities of the future that can ensure a smooth, rapid, safe and comfortable transportation from A to B

- a rigorous analysis of the ways that could help further improve the production process while also taking care of the environment

- the implementation of new (partially or fully recyclable), intelligent materials for the construction of the bodywork, the engine, the subsequent technical equipment and the customization of the interior: the biggest achievements are obtaining more advantages concerning kerb weight loss, torsional integrity and crash resistance compared to previous materials, as well as retaining the premium 'look & feel' for the shuttle-destined materials (in addition to creating a whole new 'touch' experience)

- further development in the areas of body aerodynamics and progressive-organic design for the future implementation of a new philosophy and visual identity that can be both fully practical, efficient, striking and immediately identifiable as a true Mercedes-Benz

The chart posted above shows the amount of cash some of the most important global companies spend on R&D, as well as the total number of employees involved. The analysis concerns the year 2010 and reveals Daimler AG occupies the 5th position in the rankings with a total of 4,852 millions of euro. Nearing the end of this decade, the investments made by the German entity into research and development is expected to double up to around 9,000 millions of euro.

Chart Source: www.bpb.de

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