Ford, U-M Accelerate Autonomous Vehicle Research with Ford Researchers In-House at New Robotics Lab on U-M Campus
September 15 2016 - 5:23PM
Business Wire
- Ford becoming first corporation to
co-locate in an academic building as it works side-by-side with
University of Michigan researchers in a new state-of-the-art
robotics center
- Long-running alliance strengthened by
naming U-M professors Matthew Johnson-Roberson and Ram Vasudevan as
leaders of the autonomous vehicle collaboration
- Later this year, Ford is moving a team
of researchers and engineers to university’s North Campus Research
Complex, kicking off the first phase of expanded presence
Ford and the University of Michigan today announce they are
teaming up to accelerate autonomous vehicle research and
development with a first-ever arrangement that embeds Ford
researchers and engineers into a new state-of-the-art robotics
laboratory on U-M’s Ann Arbor campus.
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Ford becoming first corporation to
co-locate in an academic building as it works side-by-side with
University of Michigan researchers in a new state-of-the-art
robotics center (Photo: Business Wire)
While the new robotics laboratory opens in 2020, by the end of
this year Ford will move a dozen researchers into the North Campus
Research Complex (NCRC).
The announcement is the latest in a series of actions by Ford as
it moves toward having fully autonomous SAE-defined level 4-capable
vehicles available for high-volume commercial use in 2021.
Autonomous vehicles are part of Ford’s expansion to be an auto and
a mobility company.
“Ford engineers and researchers will begin working
shoulder-to-shoulder with U-M faculty and students to test and
learn about autonomous vehicle technology and innovation,” said
Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. “We are aiming to show the
world what we can achieve when leaders in business and academia
work together to make people’s lives better.”
Ten years into the Ford-University of Michigan Innovation
Alliance, the two parties have agreed Ford will lease the fourth
floor of the new robotics laboratory. It is an approximately
140,000-square-foot building on Hayward Street, east of the
university’s Space Research Building.
The planned robotics laboratory will have space where machines
walk, fly, drive and swim. The building will house labs, offices
and classrooms, continuing a tradition of robotics leadership at
U-M that includes the creation of MABEL, the world’s
fastest-running robot with knees.
By locating a team of more than 100 employees on campus, Ford
benefits from being close to technical leaders as well as
facilities, such as Mcity – a one-of-a-kind urban simulation test
environment in Ann Arbor.
Ford has been testing autonomous vehicles for more than 10
years, last fall becoming the first automaker to begin testing at
Mcity. It also is tripling its fleet of autonomous research
vehicles this year – making Ford’s fully autonomous vehicle fleet
the largest of all automakers.
New leaders
Today, Ford and U-M also announce professors Matthew
Johnson-Roberson and Ram Vasudevan will serve as leaders of a new
autonomous vehicle research team comprising graduate students,
postdoctoral fellows and researchers.
Both professors, who began collaborating with Ford earlier this
summer, bring a wealth of autonomous vehicle research experience.
Dr. Johnson-Roberson is an assistant professor of Naval
Architecture and Marine Engineering, and has worked in autonomous
vehicles since the first DARPA Grand Challenge in 2004. His
research focuses on robotic systems perception. Dr. Vasudevan is an
assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering with a background in
robotics and next-generation automotive technologies.
“We’re at the point where you are beginning to see the positive
impact driverless cars could have on people’s lives,” said
Vasudevan. “Sometimes, the challenge for us as professors and
engineers is knowing what the relevant research problems are that
need to be addressed to guarantee the success of autonomous
vehicles. Working closely with Ford gives us the data and equipment
to better understand and resolve the challenges that lie
ahead.”
U-M’s College of Engineering also named Professor Jessy Grizzle
as Director of Robotics. Dr. Grizzle also serves as the key liaison
between Ford’s autonomous vehicle research program and the College
of Engineering. Grizzle’s familiarity with Ford will be of
great value as the college and Ford strengthen their
bonds. A U-M professor of engineering since 1987, Grizzle has spent
nearly two decades as a Ford consultant working on programs such as
environmentally friendly emissions, enhanced fuel economy and
hybrid-electric vehicles.
“Ford is the University of Michigan’s deepest and most engaged
industry partner,” said Prof. Alec Gallimore, Robert J. Vlasic Dean
of Engineering. “As leaders in the fields of robotics and
transportation, we’re excited to grow our partnership at a time –
and place – in which these sectors are converging.”
U-M is one of only a handful of universities to offer master’s
and doctoral degrees in robotics, with the Ph.D. program now in its
third year. More than 35 faculty members work in the field.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company
based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 67
plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars,
trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its
business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging
opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and
mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its
products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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Ford Motor CompanyAlan Hall313.337.9618ahall32@ford.com
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