Momentum - February 2020 - 16

TODAY'S
ENGINEERING

PROVING GROUND
HEROES

THE WORLD'S INDEPENDENT vehicle test-track operators often
are the unsung heroes of new-vehicle development. They work
in an atmosphere of secrecy that arguably exceeds that of
individual auto companies, having to ensure that the hush-hush
R&D projects of manufacturers remain cloaked from the gaze of
media and public.
Independent proving grounds also must operate in an impartial
atmosphere of automotive diplomacy, ensuring that they do not
spill the beans about how, for instance, particular customers are
making the jump to the next SAE level of autonomous vehicle (AV)
technology, tackling electric-vehicle (EV) range enhancement,
making new strides in aerodynamics, or helping to advance safety
assets that may prove to be a significant marketing tool.
An example of the
Photo credit: Millbrook
caution typical of such
facilities recently came
from a spokesperson
at Millbrook Proving
Ground in the U.K.
Asked about enduser expectations
regarding technology,
including the important
subject of autonomous Millbrook Proving Ground aerial view.
driving-induced motion
sickness, the reply was, "Millbrook cannot provide an answer to
this question."
We also wondered how Millbrook, together with other
proving grounds, is changing to meet the new demands of AV
development? The cautious answer: "By listening to the needs
of the customer base and maintaining a constant dialogue in the
run-up to testing. If new resources are needed, as long as there is
a business need, these will be looked at." And are those resources
needed? The guarded reply? "Yes. The exact definition of these
depends on the needs of the customer."
These ultra-cautious ripostes demonstrate the difficult position
in which independent proving grounds must operate, fully aware
that they have multiple clients who are utter commercial enemies
in the marketplace. However, in a one-on-one interview with SAE's
Autonomous Vehicle Engineering, Phil Stones, Millbrook's Chief
Engineer, was able to broadly discuss the new importance of
proving grounds without giving away any secrets.
"Compared to 10 years ago, the automotive world has become
more financially focused in the changing technical and commercial
times, with now more need than ever to spend capital in core
product rather than test facilities," Stones said. Those in-house
facilities had become increasingly expensive, with so much detail
now required. "And there is the matter of diversity; today's cars are
considerably more complex," Stones added, stressing that every
aspect of measurement now is far greater because regulations and
customers demand so much.

By Stuart Birch, European Editor, Autonomous Vehicle Engineering

16 February 2020

ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE AND
FULL PROFESSORSHIPS
Institute: Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT)
Type: Full Time
Area: Mechanical Engineering Program and Centers for Robotics,
Sustainable World, Science & Engineering in Health & Medicine.
Location: Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
Submission Email: gtiitrecruit@technion.ac.il
Description: Technion - Israel Institute of Technology manages
the academics of a new university established in Shantou City,
Guangdong Province, China http://www.gtiit.edu.cn/en.
GTIIT follows the academic model of the Technion campus in Haifa,
Israel. It is dedicated to high quality research and education in
science and technology. Courses will be taught in English.
GTIIT has established undergraduate programs in Chemical
Engineering, Biotechnology & Food Engineering and Materials
Engineering.
An undergraduate program in Mathematics (major) with
Computer science (minor) is expected to start in October 2020.
Guangdong Technion branch intends to launch an undergraduate
education program in Mechanical Engineering, which will
include Tracks for Robotics, Mechanics of materials and Energy.
A graduate program in these areas will also be offered in
coordination with the Technion's Graduate School.
GTIIT is also opening / establishing the Centers for Robotics,
Science & Engineering in Health and Medicine and Sustainable
World. Its members are expected to develop vigorous research
program and commit to high-level teaching.
Tenure-track faculty positions at all ranks are now available
for exceptional candidates, who will be appointed members of
Mechanical Engineering teaching program and also members of
one of the above mentioned Centers in the following areas:
*
*
*
*
*
*

Robotics, mechatronics, dynamics and control
Solidmechanics, bio- and opto-mechanics
Micro- and nano-technology
Computational fluid and solid mechanics
Energy, thermofluids, propulsion technology
Mechanical design and CAD, Additive manufacturing and
3-D printing

Members of the centers are expected to initiate and conduct
intensive state-of-the-art research and to be involved in graduate
students supervision and teaching of undergraduate courses.
GTIIT will offer generous start-up packages, modern research
infrastructure, and qualified technical personnel. Successful
candidates will be offered generous compensation, convenient
housing and family care facilities in the beautiful and newly
constructed campus.
Established research leaders in their fields will be provided with
exceptional packages.
Several fixed-term teaching positions (non-research) are
available in all fields of science for the undergraduate program.

Please send CV, list of publications, research plan
and teaching statements to the Search Committee at:
gtiitrecruit@technion.ac.il
MOMENTUM
http://www.gtiit.edu.cn/en
Momentum - February 2020

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