Institute for Motor Vehicles Aachen
The Institute for Motor Vehicles (ika) belongs to the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen .
history
In 1902, the Royal Technical University of Aachen was probably the first university in Germany to begin teaching and researching automobiles. Above all , it is thanks to the initiative of the professor for steam turbines and internal combustion engines as well as the head of the machine laboratory Paul Langer that the construction of a vehicle research laboratory began in the early 1920s, which finally became the institute for vehicles and internal combustion engines of the TH in 1923 Aachen started work. The first courses, which were personally set up and led by Langer, dealt with the construction and operation of motor vehicles, laws and regulations on motor vehicle traffic. In addition, exercises for working on constructive tasks in these areas were carried out.
After the Second World War, Ernst Essers, Ilse Essers's husband , rebuilt the Institute for Motor Vehicles and became head of the institute and full professor for motor engineering and piston engines. In addition, he was often requested as an expert to clarify the question of guilt at court hearings on traffic accidents. The 68-year-old Ernst Essers died unexpectedly on September 5, 1969.
Jürgen Helling, who headed the institute from 1971 until his retirement in 1993, added many aspects to the research spectrum. In particular, he placed a focus on the areas of alternative drives, ambulances, local public transport, energy saving and the reduction of emissions. In addition, he campaigned for the construction of his own test track, which was completed in 1989.
Henning Wallentowitz headed the institute from 1993 to 2008. Among other things, the international master’s course Automotive Systems Engineering was launched under his leadership, which made a significant contribution to making ika known abroad. During this time, the move from the old institute building on Templergraben to the new premises in Aachen-Melaten took place in order to create more space for the now numerous test stands, which were continuously expanded under Wallentowitz's direction.
After Henning Wallentowitz retired in July 2008, Stefan Gies headed the ika until December 2009 , who also changed the name of the institute. Until 2008 it was still called the Institute for Automotive Engineering Aachen and has now been changed to the Institute for Automotive Engineering, RWTH Aachen University .
Lutz Eckstein took over the management in December 2009 and continues the tradition of expanding and converting the test bench and research facilities. Together with other institutes, he participated in setting up the Aldenhoven Testing Center, which opened in 2014, in Aldenhoven-Siersdorf in the Düren district .
Supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research ( BMBF ), the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and with financial resources from the university management and the institute, a highly dynamic driving simulator was put into operation in October 2016. With the help of the driving simulator, analyzes of driver behavior, evaluations of driver assistance systems and representations of future control and monitoring concepts can be researched.
description
The central task of the university institute is the scientific training of future engineers. The ika fulfills this core task through the extensive range of courses that has existed for a long time, which has been expanded through overarching international courses as well as through newly established English-language lectures and exercises for the Master of Science in Automotive Systems Engineering . The number of automotive engineering students in Aachen has almost doubled.
Every year more than 250 student papers are created at ika. The ika organizes English-language workshops and events. In addition, the ika organizes the Aachen Colloquium Vehicle and Engine Technology with the Chair for Combustion Engines (vka), at which an international specialist audience from the automotive and supplier industry appears.
The ika cooperates with fka GmbH . ika and fka employ a total of more than 400 people, including around 120 engineers, 55 in workshops and administration, and over 200 student assistants. Customers include domestic and foreign automobile companies, component manufacturers and suppliers as well as public institutions. The research achievements of the areas suspension , body , drive , Electrical / Electronics and Automated Driving , Vehicle Concepts , thermal management , acoustics and automotive system evaluation include nearly all relevant development steps for vehicle development. The tasks range from conception, construction and simulation to prototype construction and experimental testing. The offer is rounded off with strategic and technical advice.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d History of the Institute for Motor Vehicles Aachen , accessed on February 7, 2016.
- ^ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (September 9, 1969, p. 25): Family advertisements.
- ↑ Highly dynamic driving simulator , RWTH Aachen / ika website
Coordinates: 50 ° 47 ′ 14.6 " N , 6 ° 2 ′ 49" E