Subaru aims to apply electrification technologies to all of its vehicles sold worldwide by the 1st half of 2030. Students on this project will focus on the customer usage aspects of the vehicle to design and build a system to capture and store the data necessary to measure the comfort zone of drivers of electric vehicles through sensors, driving control, and data collection focusing on acceleration and deceleration.
Abstract:
Subaru aims to develop “Reliability and Longevity” in all of our vehicle development. With the help of talented individuals, we aim to continue that passion into the Electrified vehicle (EV) space. Battery degradation, a key factor to the longevity of EVs has 5 main causes:
- Time
- High Temperature
- Operating at high/low state of charge
- High electric current
- Energy cycles
Of these, operating at a high/low state of charge, high electric current, and energy cycles are impacted by customer usage patterns. Subaru wants to optimize battery performance and customer satisfaction in electric vehicles. Students on this project will focus on the customer usage aspects of the vehicle to design and build a system to capture and store the data necessary to measure the comfort zone of drivers of electric vehicles through sensors, driving control, and data collection focusing on acceleration and deceleration
Impact:
By understanding customer driving behavior, Subaru can work on configuring the system in a more efficient manner, thus fine-tuning the standards of vehicle’s performance, cost, and overall longevity.
Students will have the opportunity to work alongside Subaru and contribute towards Subaru’s goal of diversifying our vehicle portfolio by helping apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide by the 1st half of 2030.
Full Project Details
Electronic Sensor Systems Development (2-3 students)
Specific Skills: Sensor selection and integration. Interest or experience with OBD-II data, vibration sensors, and audio collection.
Prior or concurrent coursework and/or practical experience EECS 215: Introduction to Electrical Circuits/EECS 314: Electrical Circuits, Systems, and Applications or Applied electrical circuits and systems
Likely Majors: CE, EE, ROB, ME
Database Design/Dynamic Data Acquisition (1 student)
Specific Skills: Database Design, I/O Data systems (WIFI) EECS 484 preferred. Please highlight in your personal statement
Likely Majors: CS, EE, CE
Web GUI Tool Development (1 student)
Specific Skills: Web-based GUI design, audio processing. Must have completed EECS 281
Likely Majors: CS, Or relevant experience
Mechanical Design with Sensor integration (1-2)
Specific Skills: Incorporation of a wide range of sensors into a greater system. Basic Knowledge of embedded systems, signal processing, etc. Priority given to students who have completed EE 314 (or equivalent) and/or have a sensor integration experience.
Likely Majors: ME, ISD-AUTO, ISD-GAME
Sponsor Mentor
Wei Orm
Engineer – Powertrain and Emissions
Wei has worked in Subaru R&D since 2016 after graduated from Nagoya University with a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He was involved for 3 years in the electric vehicle development and switched to powertrain and emissions as a senior engineer. He has worked mainly on drivability and handling of vehicles through benchmarking and development projects.
Assistant Mentor
John Hoo
Engineer – ADAS & Vehicle Performance Engineering
John has been working for Subaru since 2017. He has his BSc in Materials Science & Engineering from Purdue University. His primary focus area is ADAS. John received further training from Subaru in the USA and Japan, where he developed cross-language and cultural communication skills. To ensure the success of collaborative research efforts, he recently relocated to Michigan. He likes building PCs and motorcycling.
Executive Mentor
Brandon Hasegawa
Manager – Powertrain and Emissions
Brandon has been with Subaru since 2015 and is a manager in powertrain and emissions. He has his Mechanical Engineering degree from California State University Fullerton. He is responsible for management of transmission and xEV engineering. Also supports vehicle emissions and on road development testing
Faculty Mentor
P.C. Ku
Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
Professor Ku’s research focuses on energy-efficient optoelectronics using nanostructured materials; for example, how to reduce the laser threshold, how to increase the efficiency of light-emitting diodes and solar cells, how to efficiently transmit the data while maintaining the security, and how to reduce the power requirement for nonlinear optical devices.
Course Substitutions: Honors, ChE Elective, CS MDE/Capstone, CE MDE, EE MDE, IOE Grad Cognate, ISD AUTO 503, ISD GAME, MECHENG 490, ROB 590, SI Elective, SI Grad Cognate
Legal Requirements:
- Citizenship Requirements
- This project is open to all students on campus
- Intellectual Property Agreements / Non-Disclosure Agreement Requirements
- Students will sign IP/NDA document(s) that are unique to Subaru R&D.
- On-Campus Participation Requirements
- Students on this team must be able to be physically present on campus in Ann Arbor and able and willing to travel to Subaru R&D in the Ann Arbor area to work on physical prototypes as local safety protocols allow.
Summer Project Activities
- Students who have the legal right to work in the US will be guaranteed an interview for a 2022 internship. The interviews will take place by the end January of 2022. The internship program may not be confined to the project’s subject matter.
In-Person/Remote Participation Options:
Most of the work will take place on-campus in Ann Arbor. Weekly/Bi-Weekly project update meetings may take place online through Microsoft Teams/Facility. Use of our test tracks for vehicle testing is highly welcomed (MDP will provide transportation to the R&D facility). Students on this team must be able to be physically present on campus in Ann Arbor and able and willing to travel to Subaru R&D in the Ann Arbor area to work on physical prototypes as local safety protocols allow.