ANN ARBOR ? The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute is hosting its second vehicle safety conference on Feb. 12 focusing on How will Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Affect Automotive Safety?

The conference examines the technology trajectory of connected and autonomous vehicles and how these technology advances will affect vehicle safety over the next 10 years. Manufacturers are implementing technology strategies that support improved safety today, such as adaptive cruise control, forward, side, and rear collision warning systems, and lane departure warning systems. These systems also are required technologies in autonomous vehicles that will connect with other vehicles on the road, as well as local infrastructure, to protect vehicle occupants from collisions.

Some of the key questions we will address include: What are the technology evolutionary paths for these technologies? Are there key missing pieces in technology, infrastructure, or regulations that will hold back or accelerate connected/autonomous driving? What are the industry opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers in connected and autonomous vehicles? How does government see the evolution of connected and autonomous vehicles playing out? Finally, what opportunities do these technologies offer drivers in terms of safety and convenience, and when should we expect to see them.

To answer these questions U-M has invited manufacturers, suppliers, government, and academic speakers to address these issues.

Confirmed speakers include:

Bruce Belzowski, Automotive Analysis, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, will introduce the key issues and moderate the conference.

John Capp, Director, Electrical and Controls Systems Research and Active Safety Technology Strategy will discuss GM?s evolutionary technology strategy related to safety systems.

Prasanth Jeevan, Research Engineer, Volkswagen/Audi Electronics Research Lab, will discuss his company?s research on ?piloted? vehicles (i.e. autonomous). We may ask him how Germany?s Angela Merkle responded when he presented his group?s work to her.

Collin Castle, Connected Vehicle Technical Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation, will talk about a number of connected vehicle initiatives on Michigan roads today that focus on safety, including work on weather data collection via MDOT vehicles.

Andre Weimerskirch, Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, will provide his insight into the issue of automotive cyber security. As an expert on this issue, he will provide his insight into how auto companies around the world are addressing this key issue that affects the future of connected and autonomous driving.

Wednesday, February 12, 9 am to 4:pm

University of Michigan, The Michigan League, Michigan Ballroom (2nd Floor), 911 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1265

The UM Alumni Discount

Alumni who sign up for five consecutive conferences receive a $250 discount

To register, click on UMTRI-Proto.UMTRI.Umich.Edu