The Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Google have agreed on joint research projects in a framework agreement. One focus of the collaboration will be on the topic of artificial intelligence. The "UnternehmerTUM" Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TUM launched the "AppliedAI Initiative" in October 2017. This program aims to support start-ups and companies in the development and, above all, the application of artificial intelligence. Google will invest around 250,000 euros in financial and material resources as well as personnel support over the next three years through its Munich branch.

Munich is Google's largest location in Germany after its headquarters in Hamburg. The company has had its own office in the Bavarian capital since 2006. In 2016, a new development center was opened with over 500 employees. Its activities focus on software products for data protection, data security and artificial intelligence (AI) in the cloud.

TUM and Google have been working together for years. On the subject of augmented reality, for example, a joint team developed 'ScanComplete', a method for automatically completing and semantically analyzing 3D scans of rooms.

Voices on the partnership

"The concept of Industry 4.0 was developed here in the motherland of all industries, Germany. We are delighted to be able to work together on this key topic as part of our partnership with the Technical University of Munich and UnternehmerTUM," said Eric Schmidt, long-time Executive Chairman and Technical Advisor of Google parent company Alphabet Inc.

TUM President Herrmann added: "We are delighted to be working with one of the most innovative and visionary companies in the future. The fact that Google has shown its trust in us by making a significant donation for a specific purpose is a good start to this partnership."