Today started with a visit to Aumovio, located in a larger business park alongside other companies like Siemens. The setting already felt different from the earlier factory visits on this trip because everything was more clustered and industrial, almost like one connected ecosystem of companies working side by side.
We started with a short presentation about the company before going on a site tour. Before entering the factory area, we had to put on protective gear and make sure everything was worn correctly. It even had to be checked by a machine to confirm we were properly prepared. That process alone showed how strict and precise the environment needed to be.
Inside the factory, the process was heavily automated, but humans were still clearly important. The machines handled the main production line, which involved long strips of component parts being assembled into larger electronic systems used in vehicles, like hardware and control units. Human workers were mostly responsible for feeding materials into machines and making sure everything stayed running smoothly. It felt like a constant balance between automation and human oversight.
One thing I noticed was how much emphasis there was on diversity within the company. There was a strong female presence, and the company seemed intentional about highlighting inclusion. It felt more meaningful because it also matched what we actually saw on the production floor rather than just being something mentioned in a presentation.
After the visit, we traveled to Regensburg, a city known for its medieval history and modern economy. For lunch, a few of us went to Hans im Glück, a burger restaurant we had also tried in Munich. We originally planned to try a bratwurst spot, but many of us did not have enough euros on us, so we ended up sticking with burgers instead. After that, we explored the city, got ice cream, and walked around the old streets before visiting the Altes Rathaus.
The town hall tour was one of the most interesting parts of the day. We were taken through different rooms and learned how they are still used today, including for events and music performances. We also went down into the basement areas, which included a dungeon that was once used for interrogations and punishments, as well as rooms with historical weapons and artillery. It was a mix of political, cultural, and difficult history all in one building.
Later, we explored more of Regensburg. I stopped at the Lindt chocolate store where I bought different truffles, including a popcorn-flavored one, and I am super excited to try them. The city felt very layered, with modern shops and historic architecture existing side by side. I also stopped by a cafe and got a strawberry matcha latte. It’s been cool trying different cafes and seeing matcha culture worldwide.
Overall, the today showed how interconnected modern production and historical commerce really are. Aumovio showed how complex and automated today’s supply chains are, while Regensburg showed how long cities like this have been centers of trade, power, and culture.