Groundbreaking ceremony on THI campus Ingolstadt: Building project for the digital future

Another building will be added to the campus of the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI): Between the existing THI buildings and the Kavalier Dalwigk, a new building with 4000 sqm of main floor space for research, teaching and administration is to be built in the years up to 2026.

The so-called Digital Building will be financed through the High-Tech Agenda Bavaria. The THI is a hub for research on AI-based mobility in the Bavarian-wide AI network that is being established as part of the Hightech Agenda. Accordingly, the new building offers space for five research and teaching laboratories on topics including autonomous driving, unmanned flying and digital production, as well as an AI server room. In addition to lecture halls and seminar rooms, the Faculty of Computer Science and the university administration will also move into the new building. In total, 100 workplaces will be available there.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, 27 January was accompanied by a small ceremony. THI President Prof. Dr. Walter Schober said in his welcoming speech: "THI is Bavaria's AI mobility hub. With the Digital Building, a priobuilding as part of the high-tech agenda, we are creating space for over 100 primarily scientific workplaces, our AI labs and our currently over 1200 students in the Faculty of Computer Science. With our graduates and our research results, we are creating a future in these premises for the benefit of the Ingolstadt region and the Free State of Bavaria."

In his speech, Minister President Dr. Markus Söder emphasised: "With around 80 million euros, we are creating a milestone for the region and the AI mobility hub of Bavaria. Mobility is being thought ahead here. Digitalisation and AI are the steam engine of tomorrow. The High-Tech Agenda Bavaria is an international leader. With our transformation strategy, we are investing 3.5 billion euros and making the leap into the future. This is how we develop the prosperity and jobs of tomorrow. Thanks to all involved!"

Science Minister Markus Blume added: "Node by node, we are linking Bavaria's future: with the THI's Digital Building, the Bavarian science network continues to grow! The new building creates the best conditions for AImotion Bavaria: Here, space is created for innovative research as well as state-of-the-art teaching and learning concepts - networked, sustainable and inviting! As a mobility university, THI ensures the right speed on our roads. The High-Tech Agenda is accelerating the development of our AI hubs throughout Bavaria."

Ingolstadt's Lord Mayor Dr. Christian Scharpf emphasised the importance of the new building for Ingolstadt as a business location: "A strong business location like Ingolstadt also needs a strong science location. I am therefore very pleased that we can give the starting signal for the new Digital Building of Technische Hochschule with the ground-breaking ceremony today. It is remarkable how vigorously and with such commitment the THI is pushing ahead with the expansion of the university, especially on important topics of the future. I would like to thank all those responsible for this commitment and the Free State of Bavaria for its sustained support. Research, teaching and innovation - these are our keys to the future! They are the basis for new, sustainable jobs in our city."

In addition to its importance for Ingolstadt as a science location and for Bavaria, the digital building can also score points on the topic of sustainability with 800 square metres of façade greening, a photovoltaic system, a biodiversity roof and waste heat utilisation from the server room.