2016 CAAT Conference
The Road to Autonomous Vehicles

May 6, 2016, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Macomb Community College
South Campus, K building

The event targeted automotive industry workforce development representatives, secondary and post-secondary automotive educators, counselors, and school administrators, as well as representatives from government agencies and automotive professional associations.

About the Conference

This FREE event, offered by the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), was held at Macomb Community College's South Campus in Warren, MI, on Friday, May 6, 2016.

Participants learned about the many complexities involved in the development of automated and connected vehicles, including the infrastructure needed to support these high tech vehicles. There are also many legal, insurance and cybersecurity concerns that must be addressed by the industry and government before full implementation of autonomous (self-driving) vehicles can occur. The conference included a keynote presentation on the future of the automotive industry by Jeff Klei, President of Continental North America, and three Tech Talk sessions on the challenges, infrastructure and cybersecurity of automated and connected vehicles. Our impressive lineup of Tech Talk speakers and panelists provided insights on these complex issues from industry, government and educator perspectives, providing attendees with the information necessary to assess the technical training needs of future workers in advanced automotive technology.

Download the presentations now.

Read the News Coverage of the Conference

Macomb Daily | Tech Center News | Detroit Auto Scene

Review the Conference Resources

Conference Agenda | Conference Materials | Conference Photos

Keynote Speaker

Jeff Klei
President - NAFTA Region,
Continental Automotive Divisions

Mr. Klei provided the keynote address for the conference. His remarks addressed the current state of the auto industry from record sales to challenges of new fuel economy/emission standards. He provided insight on why connected and automated technology in the automotive industry is one of the most exciting areas of new technology and how it will affect our lives. Participants learned about the levels of automated vehicles and the timeframe for adoption as well as some of the key issues still to be addressed.

Tech Talk Sessions

Featured Speakers

Tech Talk 1
Challenges

Tech Talk 2
Infrastructure

Tech Talk 3
Cybersecurity

Gary O'Brien
Global Director of Advanced Engineering, Delphi Electronics & Safety Division

Sensor fusion for automated and connected vehicles.

Steve Buckley
Senior Technical Fellow for Electrical and Electronics, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Challenges of automated and connected vehicle technology.

Jim Sayer
Director, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and unofficial mayor of Mcity.

Infrastructure requirements of automated and connected vehicle technology.

Sarah Fall
Associate Dean, Information Technology, Macomb Community College.

Cybersecurity of automated and connected vehicle technology.

Tech Talk 2 - Infrastructure Panelists

Al Lecz, Director, Advanced Transportation Center, Washtenaw Community College
Matt Smith, Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation
Hideki Hada, General Manager, Integrated Vehicle Systems, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA), USA

Tech Talk 3 - Cybersecurity Panelists

Keith Nabozny, Professor, Information Technology, Macomb Community College
Richard Wallace, Director, Transportation Systems Analysis, Center for Automotive Research (CAR)
Meg Novacek, President, Novacek Services Inc.; former Director, Vehicle Cybersecurity, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - North America