Clemson to collaborate with Canadians on next-generation vehicle networking

Published: March 8, 2012

CU-ICAR image by: CU-ICAR

GREENVILLE — Clemson University and a city at the heart of Canada’s technology region have entered into a memorandum of understanding to explore joint initiatives for research and development of next-generation vehicles.

The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) and the city and region of Stratford, Ontario, have agreed to exchange information on research programs, share talent pools and facilities, and develop pilot programs, among other initiatives.

The agreement was signed Thursday at CU-ICAR by automotive research professor Joachim Taiber; Gerald Sonnenfeld, Clemson University vice president for research; and  Mayor Dan Mathieson of Stratford.

Taiber said partnerships between the automotive and information technology industries are key for connecting vehicles to modern mobile broadband communication infrastructure. This connection will close the gap between home, personal and work connectivity.

Vehicles today are in a transition phase from autonomous systems to a fully integrated parts of a highly connected network that covers all aspects of communication, Taiber said. “We will create in our vehicles the ‘digital lifestyle’ we experience in our everyday modern lives.”

Stratford is located in Canada’s fastest-growing technology region, central to its most-advanced intellectual assets and leading technology hub. The city also is within an hour’s drive of four major universities, including the University of Waterloo.

The city is linked to Waterloo’s population of 30,000 high-tech professionals through initiatives such as the Waterloo Stratford Digital Media Campus. The Stratford region also has a background in automotive manufacturing and service.

Mathieson said the traditional automotive supply chain is focused on cost-efficient production of physical parts, systems and engineering services. In next-generation vehicles, large parts of the new automotive supply chain will be built around software applications, digital content and network services. 

Most important for the new automotive supply chain is the development of powerful linkages to collaborate on the delivery of digital services to the consumer in the vehicle, added the mayor.

“Proven business models for software, digital content and network services from the information and communication industry need to be customized to the requirements of the automotive industry,” said Mathieson.

The connection between the two regions was facilitated by the Networked Vehicle Association, which brings together executives in the information and communications technology sectors with leading organisations in traditional automotive and supply sectors.

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