BMW Tech Offices

OPEN INNOVATION AT THE BMW GROUP.

Our global network of Technology Offices plays a vital role in securing the BMW Group’s innovation leadership and is a key aspect of our open innovation approach. For the BMW Group, open innovation means:

Actively identifying new technology trends and being open to them (Technology Trend Radar)
Tapping into external and internal innovation potential (startups, intrapreneurs, cross-industry technologies, universities)
Thinking about AND beyond our core business, i.e. also beyond the car
Building new collaborations (BMW Startup Garage)
Acting quickly, in an agile manner, with proof of concept projects and minimum viable products
Transferring innovations sustainably into the BMW Group

BMW GROUP TECHNOLOGY OFFICES.

Our BMW Group Technology Offices are strategically located around the world – mainly in major technology and innovation hubs. Our customers worldwide benefit from our Technology Offices having experts on site who explore the latest technologies long before they are market-ready. The potential of these technologies is sounded out in pilot projects and then transferred to central divisions – and not always just vehicle development. The Technology Offices work on innovations for all areas of business, from production to smart city solutions to future mobility.

Goal #3

Transfer relevant innovations to the central organisation.

Goal #1

Scout relevant innovations and generate trend reports.

Goal #2

Networking with startups, universities and cross-industry partners, with proof of concept and research projects.

“In Korea, especially the field of consumer electronics is a rich source for scouting relevant innovations for the BMW Group."

Aram Kim, Technology Scout Technology Office Korea

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“The proximity of our Tech Office to plant Spartanburg allows us a swift transfer of innovations from the research phase to industrialisation. For example we have worked very closely with the plant in bringing Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision to production.”

Marcin Ziolkowski, AI Research Specialist Technology Office Greenville

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“Here in Japan we are scouting a large field of technologies for the BMW Group: New types of sensors, robotics, battery materials, hydrogen technology, artificial intelligence, optics and displays.”

Miho Sakai, Technology Scout and Research Project Leader Technology Office Japan

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"One of our tasks in the Tech Office Shanghai is to conduct studies to gain a deeper understanding of urban mobility and develop ideas and concepts for BMW Group products and services for 2025+."

Sam Lai, Technology Scouting and Open Innovation Technology Office China

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"With the open innovation approach at the BMW Group we are unlocking the innovation potential of start-ups, cross-industry technologies, innovation crowds and our BMW intrapreneurs."

Kai Petrick, Head of Open Innovation, BMW Group

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Cihan Albay, Head of Tech Office Singapore

"In Singapore we evaluate a wide range of technologies with Blockchain being our biggest focus."

Cihan Albay, Head of Technology Office Singapore

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A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE TECHNOLOGY OFFICES.

Join us on a journey around the globe and gain interesting insights on the work of the BMW Group Technology Offices.Throughout the next few months one video on each Technology Office will be published here.

Employees of the Greenville Tech Office talking to each other

Learn more.

BMW Accelerator.

BMW Startup Garage.

BMW Technology Scouting.

Page Overview: BMW Tech Offices