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SOUTHFIELD—Lawrence Technological University has received a $192,791 grant from the DENSO North America Foundation for a project to advance data analytics for the future of autonomous vehicles.
Under the grant, students from LTU’s electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, audio engineering technology, and architectural engineering programs will measure roadside acoustic data, providing another form of input for autonomous vehicles to detect possible hazards ahead. That information will be integrated into autonomous vehicles’ existing cameras, LiDAR (laser radar), and GPS sensors.
The project aims to integrate data from acoustic sensors along with those other systems, creating algorithms for data synchronization and fusion. In later phases, students will develop predictive algorithms for improved path planning and collision avoidance and integrate them into real-time embedded systems.
Those systems will be tested in real-world settings to validate their performance, and the system will be prepared for potential commercialization or further research.
The grant will pay for sensors, cameras, and simulation and data processing equipment.
Principal investigator of the grant is Mostafa Rahbar, Ph.D., assistant professor in LTU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Co-principal investigators in the research effort will be Nabih Jaber, Ph.D., chair of the ECE department and director of LTU’s Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. programs in ECE, and George Pappas, Ph.D., assistant professor of ECE and director of LTU’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program.
According to Rahbar, “The grant aims to create a safer future for self-driving cars. It will support the development of a system that helps these cars better understand their surroundings and make smarter decisions to avoid accidents. The project will bring together students from different engineering fields, giving them hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the advancement of autonomous vehicle safety and potentially save lives on the road.”
Jaber wholeheartedly agrees: “This project not only enhances safety but also paves the way for future research and potential commercialization, marking an advancement in autonomous vehicle technology. By integrating roadside acoustic data with existing sensor systems, our students will play a key role in improving data synchronization, predictive algorithms, and real-time systems. It is a great opportunity for our students, and we are eager to start working on this with them.”
“DENSO is committed to enabling early-career talent to grow their knowledge and pursue successful careers in STEM areas. Through these grants, our aim is to inspire the next generation of engineers and skilled trades experts,” said Marty Deschenes, president of DNAF and leader of DENSO North America South Sub-Region Manufacturing.
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932 and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU as part of its growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report list it in the top tier of the best Midwest colleges. And LTU is included in the Princeton Review’s “The Best 390 Colleges 2025 Edition,” a list of the nation’s top 15 percent of colleges and universities. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.
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