Volkswagen Group of America has announced plans to expand its partnership with Stanford in automotive research through the contribution of $1.7 million and the appointment of a Volkswagen chairman to Stanford Engineering’s Advisory Board.

The latest investment follows a 2009 gift of $5.75 million that created the Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Laboratory on campus. The laboratory has already successfully introduced an autonomous Audi TTS, among other breakthrough research projects.

The new funds will go towards initiatives in artificial intelligence, data security and vehicle dynamics research. Martin Winterkorn, chair of Volkswagen’s board of management, will join the advisory board to add a corporate perspective on issues facing the School of Engineering.

The contribution comes as part of Volkswagen’s plans to invest more than $5 billion in North America over the next three years.

“Through partnerships like the one with Stanford University, Volkswagen Group is actively investing in the future of automotive innovation, paving the way for the development of next-generation solutions that will transform the vehicles of tomorrow,” said Peter Oel, executive director of the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory, to The Chatanoogan.