Kulwicki Endowed Professor
Professor
rprucka@clemson.edu
(864) 283-7223
4 Research Drive
Greenville, SC 29607
Robert Prucka is the Alan Kulwicki Professor of Motorsports Engineering within the Department of Automotive Engineering at the Clemson University. His research and teaching interests include the design, control, calibration, performance and emissions of advanced powertrain systems. He is currently researching the use of artificial intelligence and/or optimal control strategies for the design and operation of electrified powertrains used in autonomous off-road vehicles. Robert also has active research related to novel low-emissions internal combustion engine concepts. In additional to research, Dr. Prucka is currently the director of the Deep Orange 12 vehicle-prototyping program at Clemson University. For this project he is leading a team of 40 students through the design, construction and verification of a high-speed driverless race car. Previously, Robert led the Deep Orange 9 ‘Next-Gen Rallycross’ project that developed a 600 hp hybrid electric car with a team of 20 students. He is also active in other motorsports engineering initiatives at the Clemson University Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. Robert is a Select Committee member for the Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Combustion Committee, and an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Powertrains. He received the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award in 2017 and the Murray Stokely Award for Excellence in Teaching at Clemson University in 2015. Robert earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2008.