Rockets, maglev trains, AI university: Söder focuses on high-tech

Parliament - Rockets, maglev trains, AI university: Söder focuses on high-tech

A test center for rocket propulsion, a test track for a maglev train in Nuremberg and a university solely dedicated to artificial intelligence: Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder (CSU) wants to place a clear focus on future research and technologies in the new legislative period.

"We are Europe's Silicon Valley and want to develop Bavaria into the leading high-tech location on the European continent," said Söder on Tuesday in his first government statement in the new legislative period in the state parliament. The state government will therefore continue the High-Tech Agenda as announced and "even top it". The Free State is not in competition with other federal states, but "with our friends from the USA and partners from Asia".

In order to give the High-Tech Agenda an additional boost, Söder announced a new future prize from 2024 - the "High-Tech Oscar" for the brightest minds and start-ups in Bavaria.

"We will also establish Germany's first AI university in Bavaria, in Nuremberg," announced Söder. "We are turning the TU Nuremberg into Germany's first university specializing purely in AI: the Franconian University of Artificial Intelligence."

In his own words, Söder wants to develop the German Space Operations Center in Oberpfaffenhofen into the "Houston of Germany" - Houston is the headquarters of the US Space Operations Center. It is "very likely" that the European Moon Control Center will be located in Oberpfaffenhofen. Söder had already expressed this idea in the past. In addition, Bavaria is now also aiming to establish a test center for future-oriented rocket propulsion systems. "May the force be with us."

Söder also wants to examine new transportation projects on the ground. "Similar to Berlin, we want to investigate a magnetic levitation train. It is cheaper than a subway train, silent and climate-neutral," said Söder. "To this end, we have considered a possible test route in Nuremberg between the university, exhibition center and hospital."

Söder did not initially comment on specific timetables.

Read also:

• Frankfurt considers building lightweight halls for refugees

1. In his vision for the future, Söder sees Bavaria as a rival to Silicon Valley, aiming to become the leading high-tech location in Europe.
2. To boost the High-Tech Agenda, Söder announced a new prize called the "High-Tech Oscar" for the brightest minds and innovative start-ups in Bavaria.
3. Söder revealed plans to establish Germany's first AI university in Nuremberg, turning the TU Nuremberg into the Franconian University of Artificial Intelligence.
4. Additionally, Söder aims to develop the German Space Operations Center in Oberpfaffenhofen into the "Houston of Germany," potentially hosting the European Moon Control Center.
5. In order to advance rocket technology, Bavaria is also planning to establish a test center for future-oriented rocket propulsion systems.
6. With a focus on cost-effectiveness, climate neutrality, and silenceness, Söder suggested investigating a magnetic levitation train in Nuremberg, considering a test route between the university, exhibition center, and hospital.
7. In his statement, Söder did not provide specific timelines for these ambitious high-tech projects across Bavaria.

Source: www.stern.de