07:13 (all times in German time for now).Another day, another early start. The weather’s pretty dismal in Vienna today but there’s lots to look forward to before I fly back to the UK later. At least I managed some decent sleep – even if there wasn’t enough of it! Here’s the view from my hotel room, looking back to the hill and the location of the vineyard we ate at last night.
The hotel’s in two parts as there’s offices above until you get to the roof, where there’s a restaurant and bar. Here’s the view from last night.
08:35After an excellent breakfast we’ve checked out of our hotel and been loaded into a coach to head off to our first assignment. The chance to see an autonomous bus at the new Viennese suburb of Aspern Seestadt.10:08.Here’s the bus we came to see.
The whole area’s fascinating. The suburb’s designed to be a modern city that has a low ecological impact. I’ll add some more details and links later. Right now we’re on the move again..11.29.We’re currently being conducted around Siemens Vienna factory which is building a variety of main line, metro and light rail vehicles. Here’s new vehicles being constructed for Nuremberg.
This is one of the cars for the Rhine-Ruhr Express.
13:32.
It’s been a fascinating tour of the Siemens factory and chance to learn a lot about developments at the plant since my last visit in 2012. I’ll add more pictures and details later. Right now it’s time to head off to the airport and begin the journey back to the UK…
14:51
A small group of the British contingent and a friend from Siemens UK are now camped out at Vienna’s Terminal 3 where we’ve got a couple of hours to kick our heels before we catch the plane to Heathrow. Sadly, this new terminal has been ‘Jamie Olivered’. I’ve nothing against the guy but when all three eateries in the place are his, it’s a bit overkill!
May 1st Update.
I’ll add more to the end of this rolling blog when I get home. Right now, another day’s got in the way!
As airport terminals go T2 is one of the better ones, even if it can be a long walk to your gate. I’m flying from B47, which is a long way from the main terminal. To get there you disappear deep underground and cross a large chunk of the airport via travelators.
05:48.Having bumped into another colleague at the gate we’re now on board and waiting for take-off. The musak on the plane is the Viennese waltz used in “2001, a space odyssey” when the Pan-Am space shuttle is docking with the space station. Hopefully, my flight will be less problematic. Next stop, Vienna!
09:32We had a pretty good flight, although much of mainland Europe was covered in cloud. Ironically, this made the numerous power stations we passed even more obvious.
Now we’re stuck in our chauffeured limo which has taken 25 mins to move 200 metres! The queues to get out of the airport car parks are horrendous!10:03.We’re still in the limo. Having finally escaped the airport we’re now enjoying a tour of industrial Vienna (docks, chemical plants etc) en-route to the hotel.10:33.Finally, we’ve arrived at the hotel. Nice!
11:27Journalists from various EU countries have all gathered at the hotel, now we’re being bussed to Siemens HQ for lunch.12:33Chance to eat before the hard work starts. The foods very good and beats the sandwiches that are a staple of so many UK events.
13:00.The presentations are underway. The first one I’m attending is on autonomous trams. Siemens have one test system running in Potsdam, but (like the concept of driverless cars) it would be many years before a successful system could be developed and rolled out – if at all. The concept is far more suitable for closed systems rather than unpredictable streets. Think of Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester!
The second presentation is an interesting one on ‘digital solutions for seamless transportation’. How technology is allowing people to access the information they need to choose integrated transport options.
The mining and analysis of data from peoples travel plans is fascinating! I’ve now learned that the band Depeche Mode has a strong following in the former East Berlin because the band gave a concert there before the wall came down and this fan base can still be seen in data today!15:11.The third and final session of the day is “Seamless digital chain in material supply – the easy spares app”. How a mobile phone app can identify parts of a vehicle, find the spare part number and order it for you – amongst other things!
14:40Two very different views of Manchester! First up is Japanese drummers outside a new branch of Uniqlo, which only opened two days ago. 
12:09.
12:57.
Here’s the token system.
15:10.
This has been our lunch stop and I couldn’t resist ordering a traditional Lancashire delicacy: rag pudding with mushy peas and chips!
We’ve now stepped through a door into a 5th dimension where it feels like we’re in London, or Paris, not Rochdale – and Otto’s found the piano..
18:10.
Paul Bigland 