IAV Automotive Engineering Inc. To Host Square One Racing Event

03.02.2011 // Square One Education Network supports unique, hands on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) projects in K-12 learning environments. Educators and corporate partners collaborate to nurture the creative potential of students through hands-on learning and unique project design.

IAV Automotive Engineering Inc. has been supporting this organization for about a year now for their Autonomous IVD project.  “We truly enjoy working with students and witnessing their enthusiasm for engineering and technology.  These students are potentially future members of the IAV team,” states Nayan Patel, Engineer at IAV Inc. and volunteer for Square One.

“We are so grateful for the $5,000 donation from IAV and the unbelievably valuable support from Nayan in this complex project.  The Autonomous IVD project started with a Barbie Jeep style vehicle that would be transformed into an autonomous vehicle via sensors, actuators, and other digital means to traverse a course, avoiding obstacles and reaching given destinations.  It is very challenging for high school students and IAV has been just amazing in prototyping the project and working with the kids,” stated Barb Land, Program Director, Square One Education Network.

Andy Ridgway, President of IAV Automotive Engineering, was surprised to learn thThis winter the students have been working very hard to build the vehicle.  Four teams representing Hazel Park, Oak Park, Utica, and Detroit had a Challenge Day at the IAV North American headquarters in Northville, MI on March 30th.

The Autonomous IVD students will return to Brooklyn, MI with their vehicles and will have the chance to put them through their paces as a part of the Square One larger electric car event on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Michigan International Speedway.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 is the Synergy Summit at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. This is a full day conference uniting professionals from industry and education with students to look for ways to ignite student interest in pursuing careers in the sciences. IAV will be presented with the "Winning Combinations with Education" Award. Lou Glazer, State of Michigan Science Consultant Kevin Richardson, and three time Space Shuttle Astronaut David Leestma will also be attending the event. Everyone is welcome to attend!

About IAV Automotive Engineering

IAV Group is an engineering and technical consultancy servicing the global automotive industry with over 4,500 employees worldwide. As a recognized leader in the specification, design, development, validation and production launch of advanced vehicle and powertrain systems, IAV Inc. deploys a leading team of technical experts, engineering tools and program processes from its North American technical center in Northville, Michigan.