The University of Windsor's Centre for Hybrid Automotive Research and Green Energy (CHARGE) is at the North American International Detroit Auto Show for Technology Days taking place Wednesday and Thursday before the show opens to the general public.
Technology Days will showcase nearly 150 startups at the AutoMobili-D technology showcase, along with more than 50 technology displays.
CHARGE Lab is an internationally recognized research and development, system design and commercial test centre that fosters collaborative research.
Madeline McQueen, Research And Development Engineer, CHARGE says they specialize in the whole electric-vehicle power chain.
"From motors to power electronics to vehicle level stuff, like vehicle dynamics. So our students work a lot with the design of these components. We have real research projects that are given to us by our industry partners. They try to solve these research problems and if the industry likes the results, then they can commercialize those in the form of patents."
She says there's an industry shift where things are moving in the direction of electric vehicles.
"Which is a great opportunity for the students that are working in our lab. They're getting the skills that they need to be able to have a future in that industry."
She says they're looking to network with other manufactures at the event.
"Whether that's OEM's, Tier 1's, Tier 2's, stuff like that. Getting new partnerships and getting some networking opportunities for our students for their future careers as well."
Centre for Hybrid Automotive Research and Green Energy (CHARGE) with the University of Windsor at Technology Day at the North American International Detroit Auto Show. September 13, 2023. (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)
Ten cars, five trucks and ten utility vehicles have advanced to finalist round of the 'Best of 2024' North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards.
2024 North American Car of the Year Candidates:
-BMW 5 Series
-BMW i5*
-Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
-Ford Mustang
-Honda Accord
-Hyundai Ioniq 6*
-Subaru Impreza
-Toyota Crown
-Toyota GR Corolla
-Toyota Prius/Prius Prime
2024 North American Truck of the Year Candidates:
-Chevrolet Colorado
-Chevrolet Silverado EV*
-Ford Ranger
-Ford Super Duty
-GMC Canyon
2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Candidates:
-Chevrolet Blazer EV*
-Chevrolet Equinox EV*
-Dodge Hornet
-Genesis Electrified GV70*
-Honda Pilot
-Hyundai Kona
-Kia EV9*
-Mazda CX90
-Toyota Grand Highlander
-Volvo EX30*
* Indicates electric vehicle
The finalists will be announced in Los Angeles on November 16, and winners will be announced at a special event in metro Detroit on January 4, 2024.
The Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on Saturday, September 16 at 10 a.m. until Sunday, September 24 at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. Tickets can be purchased here: naias.com/public-show-tickets/
-With files from AM800's Rob Hindi