I have had the opportunity to visit the BMW Group Information Technology Research Center, promoted by this company together with the State of South Carolina. Clemson University has developed the CU-ICAR Technology Centre where this International Automotive Research Centre has been set up.

This center, located on the campus of Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research, is an integral part of BMW’s research and development network. The ITRC provides an important platform within the BMW Group for joint innovation projects with leading U.S. IT companies. A very similar concept to that promoted by the University of Salamanca, that has facilitated the development and growth of one of the largest BMW car plants in the USA, as well as this center.

As for the center of gravity for Information Technology innovation, the U.S. is the natural place to develop and refine applied technologies. It is fascinating to see students and professors from different universities collaborate with BMW engineers on some of the company’s most innovative projects.