Hosted at ������Ƶ’s GM Mobility Research Center (MRC), the MichAuto Mobility Meetup on March 20 brought together Michigan’s mobility leaders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and educators for an evening focused on building connections among innovators across the state. Co-hosted by MichAauto — an initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber — and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the event connected automotive and manufacturing leaders, start-ups, service firms, and students around a shared goal: accelerating what’s next in mobility. Guests also toured the MRC, a 21-acre proving ground for testing autonomous vehicles, electric propulsion systems, and sensor technologies. 

At the Intersection of Industry and Education

Jennifer Umberger, Vice President for University Marketing and Communications, welcomed attendees and emphasized the University’s legacy as a talent engine for the automotive and mobility industries. “Whether you’ve known us as GMI or as ������Ƶ, we’ve always existed to build the future of industry — and the talent that powers it,” she said.

Kettering’s 50-50 model — equal parts rigorous academics and paid full-time Co-op — equips every student with up to two and a half years of real-world experience by the time they graduate. “That’s why our graduates are hired not just to contribute — but to lead,” Umberger added.

MichAuto: Driving Michigan’s Mobility Leadership

MichAuto is focused on strengthening Michigan’s role as a global mobility leader by advancing public-private partnerships, business innovation, and talent development. Its Mobility Meetup series creates opportunities for industry leaders, educators, startups, and students to collaborate in meaningful ways that grow careers and companies alike.

Investing in Michigan’s Talent Pipeline

Suzanne Petrusch, Interim Vice President of Enrollment, spotlighted Kettering’s leadership in the Michigander Scholars Program, which provides $5,000 to students who complete a Co-op with a Michigan employer or $10,000 to students who spend 12 months or more working full-time in the state after graduation.

“Kettering has named more Michigander Scholars than any other participating university,” Petrusch said. “That’s a reflection of our Co-op depth, employer partnerships, and our students’ readiness to drive real results — right here in Michigan.”

Built for What’s Next

The Mobility Meetup at ������Ƶ wasn’t just a networking event but a proving ground for collaboration. For students, it reinforced how education and industry can work hand in hand. For employers, it showcased the next generation of problem solvers ready to lead Michigan’s mobility evolution. And for the state, it highlighted the power of shared investment in talent, innovation, and impact.

Sun glare is a major hazard for drivers, often causing temporary blindness that leads to accidents. Two ������Ƶ Computer Science students, Omar Ibnouf ’27, a graduate of Delta International School in Saudi Arabia, and Jiten Ponnam ’27, a graduate of Athens High School in Athens, Michigan, have spent months developing an innovative solution: a pixel-blocking system that dynamically shades the sun while keeping the driver’s view clear.

Their AI-driven display technology, currently being tested on a school bus in partnership with International Motors LLC, uses real-time sun and eye detection to determine precisely where glare hits a driver’s eyes. The system then selectively darkens pixels on a transparent LCD screen, blocking only the sun while maintaining complete visibility of the road ahead.

From Concept to Working Prototype

“We wanted to reduce distractions and make driving safer,” Ibnouf said. “Our system detects the sun’s position, finds where it hits the driver’s eyes, and blocks only that specific glare — helping reduce accidents caused by temporary blindness.”

The current prototype consists of:

• An outward-facing camera that detects the sun’s position
• An inward-facing camera that tracks the driver’s eyes
• AI-powered software that calculates 3D coordinates to align the shading
• An LCD screen that dynamically adjusts pixels to block the sun

Ponnam explained the technical challenge behind making the system work. “The hardest part wasn’t just writing the Python code — it was getting all the components to communicate with each other in real-time,” he said.

Mehrdad Zadeh, Ph.d., Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, advised the students on the project. “Students gain real-world problem-solving skills, apply STEM knowledge, and work with emerging technologies like AI when tackling projects like this,” Zadeh said. “The project enhances teamwork and communication while fostering innovation and critical thinking. Students also gain ethical awareness and exposure to future tech careers, making learning more engaging and purposeful.”

Next Steps: Smarter, Slimmer, and Scalable

The system is currently being tested with a large LCD screen mounted on the exterior of a school bus windshield. However, the students are working toward a thinner, more transparent version that would be integrated directly into vehicle windshields.

“In the future, this could be in all cars,” Ponnam said. “We’re looking at flexible, transparent LED screens to make it lighter, easier to install, and more cost-effective for manufacturers.”

The students are also aware of potential legal challenges, such as window tinting laws. However, they are working with International Motors’ legal team to ensure compliance while maintaining visibility.

A Future of Safer Roads

While the current focus is on reducing sun glare for school bus drivers, the technology has broader applications. The team envisions integrating heads-up displays, pedestrian detection alerts, and adaptive shading for different lighting conditions.

At ������Ƶ, students don’t just study technology — they build real-world solutions. Whether through Co-op experiences or hands-on research, they create the curve instead of following it.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist was off to the races Tuesday at Square One’s 16th Annual Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) Competition at the ������Ƶ GM Mobility Research Center.

Hundreds of middle school and high school students from across the state competed.

Gilchrist spoke to the students about how the skills they’re learning through this competition are just the beginning. He also posed for photos and waved the flag to start the Mini Innovative Vehicle and Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle races.  

Teams participated in three on-site challenges during the event:

• Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
• Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
• Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Challenge

Some V2X Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge students who previously competed virtually also gave demonstrations. The V2X challenge simulates the sensors and coding necessary for successful autonomous movement.

The Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge project tasks students with re-engineering a Power Wheels Jeep into an autonomous vehicle. The Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Racing Challenge requires teams to re-engineer an electric 1/10th-scale RC vehicle for optimal performance. The Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge inspires teams to transform a gas-powered go-kart kit or build a car from the ground up into an electric or hybrid electric vehicle featuring an innovative component that sets it apart.  

The winners in each competition were:

Autonomous IVD

• Innovation Award: Divine Child High School 
• Engineering Award: Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team A1902 
• Perfect Pitch Award: Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team A2309
• Performance Award: Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team A2309 (first); Divine Child High School (second); Northwest High School (third)
• Ambassadorship Award: Northwest Education Services Career Tech  (Traverse City) Team A1901 
• Square One Award: Divine Child High School
• Craftsmanship Award: Clinton High School 
• Presentation Award: Hartland High School 

Full-Scale IVD

• Innovation Award: Williamston High School
• Engineering Award: Oxford High School Team F1504
• Perfect Pitch Award: Oxford High School Team F1504 and Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (tie)
• Performance Award: Southfield High School (first); Williamston High School (second); Oxford High School Team F1504 (third)
• Ambassadorship Award: AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School Team F1505 and Team F2303 (tie)
• Square One Award: Stevenson High School
• Craftsmanship Award: Oakland Schools Technical Campuses 
• Presentation Award: Oxford High School Team F1503

Mini IVD

• Innovation Award: Stevenson High School Team M2319 (first); Jackson Area Career Center (second)
• Engineering Award: Roseville High School (first); Stevenson High School Team M2318 (second)
• Perfect Pitch Award: Oak Park Middle School Team M2323 (first); Kingston Jr./Sr. High School (second)
• Ambassadorship Award: Reese High School (first); Flint Cultural Academy (second)
• Square One Award: Huron Area Tech Center (first); Glenn W. Levey Middle School (second)
• Performance: Stevenson High School Team M2319 (first); Clinton High School Team M1204 (second); St. Louis High School (third)
• Craftsmanship Award: Oak Park High School Team M1203 (first); Clinton High School Team M1205 (second)
• Presentation Award: Kingston Jr./Sr. High School (first); Reese Middle School (second)
• Top Speed Challenge: Stevenson High School Team M2319

V2X IVD (Virtual)

High School

• Innovative Engineering: Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team V2331 (first); Roseville High School (second); Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School Team V2217 (third)
• Performance Award: Oak Park High School (first); Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School Team V2213 (second); Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team V2335 (third)
• Square One Award: Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team V2329
• Presentation Award: Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) Team V2335 (first); Martin Luther King Jr. Senior School Team V2213 (second); Jackson Area Career Center (third)

Middle School

• Innovative Engineering: EIT Academy (first); Davis Middle School Team V2211 (second)
• Square One Award: Algoma Christian School (first); Glenn W. Levey Middle School (second)
• Performance Award: Davis Middle School Team V2015 (first); EIT Academy (second); Algoma Christian School (third)
• Presentation Award: Reese Middle School Team V2203 (first); Reese Middle School Team V2314 (second)

Elementary

• Engineer’s Journal Award: Escanaba Upper Elementary School
• STEM Steward Award: Reese Elementary, Middle and High School
• CS Superstar Award: Barkell Elementary School (Hancock)
• Innovative Design Award: Escanaba Upper Elementary School
• Square One Award: R.B. Havens Elementary
• Performance Award: Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools (first); Barkell Elementary School (Hancock) (second); R.B. Havens Elementary (third)
• Presentation Award: Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools

Scholarship winners

• ITS Michigan Masters of Mobility Scholarship: Garrett Roels of Fraser High School, Riley Burns of Hartland High School and Jacob Snover of Northwest Education Services Career Tech (Traverse City) 
• Mike Bammer Memorial Scholarship: Noah Brown of Oakland Schools Technical Campuses
• Zach MacLean Memorial Scholarship: Steven Jones of Oak Park High School

Square One is a Michigan-based non-profit educational organization focused on developing talent in under-resourced communities and growing the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce for tomorrow. Through partnerships with higher education institutions and the industry, Square One empowers teachers and students with hands-on learning experiences around high-quality STEM projects.

This was the fourth time the competition took place at ������Ƶ. To check out a photo gallery of the day, click .

������Ƶ will host the Square One Education Network’s 16th Annual Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) Challenges on May 16, 2023 at the ������Ƶ GM Mobility Research Center (MRC) in Flint.

Sixty middle and high school teams will compete. Kicking off at 9 a.m., the event includes demonstrations from V2X students who previously competed virtually and three separate competitions: 

• Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
• Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
• Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist will be on site from 2 to 3 p.m. to speak with students and wave the flag to start the Mini Innovative Vehicle and Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle races.

The Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge project tasks students with re-engineering a Power Wheels Jeep into an autonomous vehicle. The Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Racing Challenge requires teams to re-engineer an electric 1/10th-scale RC vehicle for optimal performance. The Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge involves transforming a gas-powered go-kart kit into an electric or hybrid electric vehicle or building an electric or hybrid car from the ground up. Vehicles must feature an innovative component that sets them apart. 

“Square One students are problem solvers. They’re working on things like sensors and controls, autonomous development, vehicle efficiency—just like the biggest mobility-focused companies in the world—and they’re learning these concepts and applications in a hands-on way, in collaborative teams, with real deadlines and budgets, just like Kettering students and just like professional engineers,” said Scott Travis, ������Ƶ Director of Specialty Admissions. “Kettering has a 100-year legacy in automotive and mobility industries. These are students who would thrive here as undergraduates.”

Square One is a Michigan-based non-profit educational organization focused on developing talent in under-resourced communities and growing the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce for tomorrow. Through partnerships with higher education institutions and the industry, Square One empowers teachers and students with hands-on learning experiences around high-quality STEM projects.

This is the fourth year the University has partnered with Square One to host the event.

“Square One’s Innovative Vehicle Design program provides youth with a real-world, relevant experience that not only builds their skills in science, technology, engineering and math but also builds their awareness for college and career pathways to a brighter future for themselves and for Michigan’s role as a leader in the future mobility industry,” said Barb Land, CEO of Square One Education Network.

New this year is a career expo that will take place the morning of the event. Exhibitors expected to showcase their opportunities include the Michigan Department of Transportation, WSP, AECOM, Washtenaw Community College, Integral Blue and the Michigan Works! Association.

Leaders in mobility will give remarks in the morning, including Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of MICHauto and Vice President of Automotive and Mobility Initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber; Tim Slusser, Chief of Mobility Innovation in the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation; and Elaina Farnsworth, Chief Executive Officer of the NEXT Education. 

In his role, Stevens leads the MICHauto program in its efforts to promote, grow, and retain Michigan’s automotive and next-generation mobility industries. Slusser directs the development of public and private partnerships and informs policies related to various mobility initiatives and deployments. At NEXT Education, people receive certification and training to upskill or reskill to become the workers of tomorrow in fields such as vehicle electrification, industrial mobility, cybersecurity and smart city technologies.

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������Ƶ students are working on ways to make school buses safer.

The team is in the fourth year of a five-year project with Navistar, an Illinois-based manufacturer of school buses and semi trucks. This year, the Kettering team is developing the automation of vehicle sensing behavior capabilities to classify human transient behavior to detect when a child and/or an article of a child’s clothing is pinched in the bus door, to automate passenger counting, and to detect bullying and other dangerous passenger situations.

Students are using artificial intelligence, algorithms, and models to develop a low-cost platform to take photos of the children and keep a count to report to the driver, ensuring the drivers don’t leave students on the bus when they park and leave the garage for the day. Other artificial intelligence-based software will detect if a child and/or their backpack or clothing is in the danger zone of getting pinched in the door.

So far, Navistar is pleased with the students’ work.

“This is thinking outside of the box,” said Dr. Teik-Khoon Tan, Navistar Senior Technical Specialist. “We need innovation, so our strategy is to partner with universities. Without it, we lack other innovative perspectives. Kettering students, the learning and growth are very high. I’m very impressed.”

He praised Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh for his “high emotional quotient” or ability to understand others’ emotions.

“[Zadeh] listens, and [the students] can learn what our customer really needs,” Tan said. “Listen to what our pain points are so we can be in a good marriage. This is a perfect marriage. I’m very glad.”

In the first three years of the partnership, students worked on autonomous sensors and video, segmentation and behavioral learning.

“All of this is part of artificial intelligence, and now we’re getting into behavioral learning when you step into the bus. They will know who you are, when you’re bullying kids,” Tan said, noting the system will know this behavior is inappropriate.

Instead of using computers, the team uses recycled cell phones to capture the data, which is a cost-efficient way to provide customers with the safety applications they need. 

“This is important for production because we don’t have to redevelop everything off the shelf,” Tan said.  

He and Noah Wilson, advanced technology engineer at Navistar, have been working with the team.

“The students are very bright and clearly hardworking,” Wilson said. “Pretty much all of the work has been done by the students. We’ve been in more of an advisory role.”

Amanuel Weldemichael (‘23, CE) has been working on the automatic passenger counter portion of the project.

“I am interested in [Advanced Driver Assistance Systems] ADAS and autonomous vehicle solutions,” he said.

His biggest challenge has been using well-known models on edge devices for real-time applications.​  

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