Jan. 11, 2017
Spartan students are showcasing their projects on an international stage this month with two automobiles at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
MSU, a leader in autonomous vehicle research, is displaying a cutting-edge vehicle and related technology during AutoMobili-D at Cobo Center — a premier feature of the NAIAS in Detroit.
Among those who will be helping MSU display the car will be Garrick Brazil (above left), a doctoral student in computer science and engineering, and Mohammed Al-Qizwini (above right), a doctoral student in electrical and computer engineering.
They are part of a team led by Hayder Radha, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of MSU's Connected and Autonomous Networked Vehicles for Active Safety. Brazil specializes in object detection outside the vehicle and Al-Qizwini is an expert on the technical aspects of the vehicle.
The other vehicle at the show is student-designed and developed, and no stranger to the NAIAS.
MSU’s Formula SAE Racing Team is regularly displayed at the show each year, attracting hundreds of alumni and fans to see the racecar’s newest innovations.
This year’s car earned first place honors in the driver's championship — by setting the fastest lap of the day — and second place overall during the 15th Annual University of Toronto Shootout at Mosport Kartways in Ontario.
In May, the racing team ranked fifth out of 120 international teams in the 2016 Formula SAE-Michigan competition at Michigan International Speedway. The Spartans were the second-highest ranked American team at MIS this year.
NAIAS runs through Jan. 22.
Read more about MSU’s autonomous vehicle research in the MSUToday feature, Smarter. Safer. More connected.