automotive – Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering PhD student Ted Sender configures the physical MRZR vehicle platform, interfaced with a synthetic off-road environment in the Digital Engineering (DE) lab of the Automotive Research Center. A wraparound screen creates an immersive experience. This DE setup supports integrated autonomy and mobility testing in mission-relevant scenarios. Photo: Levi Hutmacher/Michigan Engineering

Off-road autonomy and digital twins: a Q&A with Bogdan Epureanu
05/08/2025

Going beyond driving or tele-operating single vehicles, an up-to-date digital environment is needed to help humans operate fleets of autonomous vehicles.

University of Michigan professor of Mechanical Engineering, Wei Lu, conducts research on batteries in a lab.

U-M researchers receive $3M to advance EV battery analysis, lowering cost and optimizing production
04/15/2025

U-M Mechanical Engineers received an ARPA-E award totaling nearly $3 million to develop an approach that combines physics-based modeling and machine learning to rapidly and accurately determine the state of health and remaining useful life of battery cells.

University of Michigan student plugs in an electric vehicle in snowy conditions on the University of Michigan North Campus.

U-M engineers addressing EV battery shortcomings in cold weather
04/02/2025

A modified manufacturing process for electric vehicle batteries, developed by University of Michigan engineers, could enable high ranges and fast charging in cold weather, solving problems that are turning potential EV buyers away.

Akshat Gattani wearing a blue shirt and glasses, smiling.

Mind Over Machine
03/19/2025

U-M Automotive Engineering graduate Akshat Gattani drives innovation and the future of mobility.

André Boehman stands in front of an engine. Boehman is a professor of engineering, professor of mechanical engineering, and the director of the Walter E. Lay Automotive Laboratory. He will serve as a co-director of the new Hydrogen Engine Alliance of North America.

U-M and UCR Launch New Alliance to Promote Hydrogen Fuel for Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles
03/06/2025

Officials at the University of Michigan and University of California, Riverside, along with several industry partners have launched the Hydrogen Engine Alliance of North America.

Forged by Industry, Inspired by Innovation: The Journey of Mihaela Banu
02/19/2025

From welding in a Romanian shipyard to pioneering lightweight materials at the University of Michigan, Mihaela (Miki) Banu has spent her career pushing the boundaries of engineering innovation. Discover how Miki’s early fascination with materials, her deep-rooted passion for problem-solving, and her dream of becoming a pastry chef shape her inspiring career in engineering.

Upwardly Mobile
11/11/2024

How Campus Plan 2050 Is Reimagining the Future of Transportation and Accelerating U-M’s Leadership Toward a More Sustainable, Effective and Equitable Mobility Future

Automotive Research Center at U-M marks 30th anniversary, looks to the future
07/12/2024

Digital engineering for autonomous vehicles will be the main focus of the center’s next five years.

U-M’s Automotive Research Center gets $100 million through 2028
01/25/2024

The U.S. Army has has reached a new five-year agreement of up to $100 million with U-M’s Automotive Research Center to boost work on autonomous vehicle technologies.

Engineering for a healthier Earth
04/22/2023

A gathering of a few of the many efforts mechanical engineers are putting towards a greener future. Happy Earth Day!