Volkswagen extends research agreement with UTK
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Volkswagen Group of America is extending their research deal with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
They have signed a second, five-year agreement to extent the Innovation Hub in Knoxville through 2028.
The research focuses on making auto products more sustainable and more efficient.
Volkswagen officials say the Hub has produced 27 active research projects over the last five years, which include several pending patents.
The researchers are full time Volkswagen employees, who are working on PhD dissertations at the university.
“Partnering with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for research has accelerated Volkswagen Group’s ability to bring practical innovations to our products,” said Chuhee Lee, vice president of mobility design and technology at Volkswagen Group Innovation Center California. “With this extension, we’ll be able to continue this invaluable research and bring more materials and power electronics solutions for more sustainable mobility. UTK has been an invaluable partner, bringing incredible research talent with an interest in the automotive industry and sustainability.”
“The partnership with Volkswagen is already one of the most fruitful industry relationships in university history, and as the partnership continues to deepen, we expect to see even more innovations making their way to market,” said UT Research Foundation President Maha Krishnamurthy, who is responsible for the intellectual property management.
