May/June 2021
CAAT TRACKS
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CAAT Holds Virtual Information Session for Vehicle Engineering Technician Degree Program |
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Prospective students and their families were invited to participate in a virtual information session to learn more about Macomb’s Vehicle Engineering Technician (VET) program. The session was held via Zoom on Wednesday, June 23 from 12:30 -1:30 PM and was offered through the CAAT and Macomb Community College's (MCC) Office of Admissions and Outreach. Industry participation was also included with speakers from Roush Enterprises. Presenting were Ben Cruz from the CAAT, Sarah Williams and Colleen Hutchings from MCC Admissions and Outreach, and Amanda Alanouf and Paul Bowser of Roush Enterprises. Five prospective students attended the informative event. View the PowerPoint presentation in our resource library or watch a recording of the session on YouTube.
The VET Associate of Applied Science degree was developed by the CAAT in conjunction with Macomb Community College’s automotive faculty and college leadership. It was designed to allow students to develop the skills, knowledge, and abilities required for entry-level positions in the automotive industry.
Auto companies and suppliers are looking for a combination of technical skills for product development jobs in electrified, automated/connected vehicles and experimental vehicle testing. Macomb’s VET program uniquely blends aspects of mechanical, electronic, and software skills to provide students with expertise specifically designed to work in the engineering and development areas of the automotive industry. Students successfully completing this program will have the entry-level technical skills, knowledge, and abilities required to assist engineers in the development of electromechanical systems.
What Do Vehicle Engineering Technicians Do?
- Support development of the next generation of safe, efficient, and intelligent vehicles
- Work on electronic and network components
- Set up experimental testing
- Manipulate systems for prototype vehicles
- Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
- Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
- Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
Other related job titles students may qualify for after completing the VET program include automotive test technician, engine component technician, prototype vehicle build technician, process engineering electronic technician, automation technician, automotive technician – electronic diagnostics, and more.
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CAAT to Make Presentation on the Development of a Course on Automotive Cybersecurity at HI-TEC |
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The High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC) is a national conference supported by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, which is charged with preparing America’s skilled technical workforce. The event focuses on the preparation needed by the existing and future workforce for companies in high-tech sectors that drive our nation’s economy. The conference gives NSF ATE centers and other grantees an opportunity to share their expertise with secondary and postsecondary educators, counselors, industry professionals, trade organizations, and technicians from across the country.
Attendees leave with updated knowledge and skills in a convergence of scientific disciplines and technologies including:
- Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
- Bio and Agricultural Technologies
- Energy and Environmental Technologies
- Engineering Technologies
- Information, Communications, and Geospatial Technologies
- Learning, Evaluation, and Research
- Micro and Nanotechnologies
- Security Technologies
- Workforce Diversity
HI-TEC 2021 Virtual will feature live keynotes, sessions, and panels on Wednesday and Thursday, July 21–22, beginning at Noon EDT. The conference will also feature 50+ “on-demand” pre-recorded sessions. The on-demand sessions can be viewed at your convenience and will be available for six months beginning July 21. The CAAT’s presentation will also be available in the CAAT’s free resource library beginning July 21.
This year, CAAT Assistant Director, Nelson Kelly will present a session titled, “Development of a Course on Automotive Cybersecurity”. The CAAT presentation will describe the seed funding process that has been used by the CAAT to create 17 complete courses and 13 course modules over the last 10 years that are free to download from the CAAT’S Seed Funded Programs page and in the CAAT’s free resource library which includes hundreds of additional resources.
Prior to developing the cybersecurity course, CAAT conducted research on the topic and obtained input from outside. CAAT then put out a request for proposal, carefully reviewed the eight proposals received and selected the proposal submitted by Kettering University to prepare the course materials. The input from experts, including the Center for Automotive Research’s Michigan Connected and Automated Vehicle Working Group, was especially helpful in disseminating CAATs RFP and in developing a course outline that all RFP responders had to consider in developing their proposal. View the course materials resulting from this work.
The automotive cybersecurity topic was especially important because vehicles are increasingly connected to the outside world via wireless technology. The same technology that adds safety and convenience to the vehicle driving experience also exposes vehicle systems to hackers who can do malicious things, such as taking over acceleration, steering, and braking. Hackers can also penetrate vehicle control systems to demand ransom payments from vehicle manufacturers. As such, cybersecurity must be considered from the inception of the vehicle’s design and hiring managers need new hires to have knowledge of cybersecurity for automotive microcontrollers that are used in most automotive systems.
In collaboration with Macomb Community College’s (MCC) automotive faculty, the CAAT successfully added its new cybersecurity course to the MCC automotive curriculum: AUTO 2600, Automotive Cybersecurity.
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CAAT Participates in Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program’s All Things STEM Event |
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On May 18, the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) hosted a STEM event called All Things STEM. More than 800 Detroit area 7th-8th graders attended this free educational event held at the Michigan Science Center.
Having participated in previous DAPCEP STEM Day events, the CAAT was again invited to participate. Saleta McMurray, CAAT’s STEM Outreach Coordinator, presented a hands-on session on hovercrafts where students designed and built a hovercraft that could float a CD on a cushion of air over a tabletop or floor surface. After each trial, students were asked to improve upon their design. Ms. McMurray also shared with the students information about engineering, engineering careers, and the importance of a STEM-based education.
Materials to build the hovercrafts were provided to the students by the CAAT. The session was presented three times during the event, reaching approximately 90 middle school students.
DAPCEP is a non-profit organization that provides historically underrepresented youth with innovative, educational programming in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
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CAAT Attends Square One’s Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge |
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Students demonstrate headlights that come on automatically when darkness is sensed by their adapted toddler-sized electric Jeep. |
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The theme of this year’s event was recognizing determination, perseverance, and problem-solving. Students were offered remote and in-person mission challenge opportunities and were awarded trophies across five unique competitions.
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Some students participated entirely remotely while others attended the fun and educational event in person!
For participating high schools, the IVD Challenges supplement existing STEM curricula and help teachers better integrate engineering practices that are recognized in Next Generation Science Standards instruction. Each IVD Challenge was designed to provide a holistic learning experience, exposing students to all facets of a modern engineering challenge. Student vehicles compete in a variety of performance missions at multiple competitive events throughout the year, but also vie for a series of “Judged Awards” at the annual Square One IVD Challenge day each spring, the culmination of the IVD Competitive season.
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Yellowstone National Park Pilots Electric Autonomous Shuttle Service |
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America’s first national park is piloting an electric, autonomous shuttle service. Earlier this month, Yellowstone National Park launched TEDDY, 'The Electric Driverless Demonstration in Yellowstone’.
TEDDY, the first 3D-Printed autonomous shuttle, operates in Yellowstone’s Canyon Village and the name is in recognition of Teddy Roosevelt, “the conservation president who designated 5 national parks."
Visitors can ride one of two low-speed, electric automated shuttles through August 31. The goal is to understand how automated vehicle shuttle technology can be used in parks and how visitors perceive and engage these services. The data from this pilot will help guide long-term management decisions regarding transportation in national parks.
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Larry Burns Interviewed on Perfecting the Autonomous Vehicle, It’s History and the Road Ahead |
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Burns currently advises organizations on mobility logistics, manufacturing, energy, and innovation. He was interviewed on May 26, 2021, by Scott McCormick, President and CEO of the Connected Vehicle Trade Association, a CAAT partner. The interview was offered and hosted by Meetup Detroit Motor City Self Driving Cars 101.
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An overview of the existing framework for the regulation of Automated Vehicles (AVs) in the United States and recommendations for a federal safety framework. |
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Students will examine the benefits, risks, and unintended consequences of driverless vehicles in this informational video and supporting teaching tips. |
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In this lesson plan, students will practice Newton's third law by crashing model cars that they build themselves. Crash avoidance technologies can be introduced as examples of the vehicle safety component in advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). |
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A summary from the study of crash avoidance features that compares rates of crashes and insurance claims for vehicles with and without the features. |
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This guide for autonomous vehicles provides five areas of testing and development best practices including real-world and synthetic environments and data. |
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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) |
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Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) continue to improve and expand their capabilities and are working their way into more and more vehicles. In order to make more people aware of the capabilities now offered, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has partnered with Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained to introduce these technologies.
Last year Ford, Bosch, and Bedrock debuted an automated valet parking demonstration in downtown Detroit. This system is designed to allow drivers to exit a vehicle and the vehicle would park itself in the parking structure. Blind-spot detection and cross-traffic alerts are making it much easier to navigate chaotic roads and parking lots, while adaptive headlights can help you see the road at night without blinding others, and backup assist can help you navigate your trailer.
ADAS technologies are becoming required standard equipment. In 2018, NHTSA required backup cameras on all passenger cars, and now some cars are able to brake automatically if the backup camera detects an obstacle. Knowing what is available, what it is capable of (and what it is not capable of), and how to properly use these technologies will be key in their safe development and deployment.
CAAT is working to raise awareness of AVs and ADAS technology as it becomes available and to train the next generation of technicians who will build and maintain these vehicles.
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At the CAAT’s Drone Programming Challenge held during Engineers Week, Girl Scouts participated in a variety of challenges that demonstrate basic engineering concepts.
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This driver takes vehicle weight reduction to a new level and improves his car’s acceleration by removing 430 lbs. worth of parts, over 10% of the car’s original weight.
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Consumers Energy has launched a new electric vehicle program that provides rebates and consultation to businesses looking to transition to electrified fleets.
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How long will it take for your electric car to fully recharge depends on how big the battery is, and how much power it can take in one charge.
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A 20-hour road trip in a Chevy Bolt electric vehicle provides insight into the challenges of finding a charging station.
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... Argo AI, the self-driving startup backed by Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen, has developed a sensor it believes will be key to commercializing autonomous transportation in cities, suburbs, and on the highway? The lidar sensor can reportedly see down the road a distance of four football fields with near-photographic detail.
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... Lane-keeping assistance automatically and gently steers to prevent your vehicle from leaving the lane?
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