The HFU team and professors in front of the high-fidelity simulator. © HFU
Human Factors students visit BMW driving simulation centre
Students on the Internal link opens in the same window:Human Factors Master's programme at Furtwangen University (HFU) visited the world's largest driving simulation center at the BMW Group in Munich. HFU professor Dr. Gerald Ackner and DHBW professor and guest lecturer Dr. Jens Häcker initiated and supervised the excursion as part of the elective subject “Driving Simulation”.
The car manufacturer has 14 simulators and usability laboratories at the center, covering 11,400 square meters of space for its research and development. The HFU visitors were particularly impressed by the ultra-modern LED wall − part of the simulation system. “This advanced technology enables a very realistic display, which is advantageous when simulating night driving and makes daylight conditions appear more lifelike,” explains Tuttlingen psychology professor Ackner.
Svenja Paradies and Dr. Frederik Naujoks from the “User Interaction and User Experience” team at the BMW Group gave the HFU students a look over their shoulders and presented their day-to-day work. “We were shown potential career paths through to doctoral studies and learned about the diversity and practical application of simulation technologies,” reported the students. The enriching visit provided a glimpse behind the scenes of the automotive industry and left no questions unanswered. “The excursion was fantastic,” summarised student Oliver Scharer.
The event underlines HFU's commitment to strengthening the link between academic education and industrial application. “Our university is characterised by the fact that we provide our students with practical insights into future-oriented technologies and close contacts with industry,” concludes Ackner.