WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
About
West Virginia University has competed in Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs) since they began in 1988 with the Methanol Marathon. After participating in 10 of the last 13 AVTCs, the West Virginia University EcoCAR team is thrilled to continue its efforts in Year 3 of the EcoCAR EV Challenge.
Made up of over 50 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in different fields such as engineering, computer science, public administration, social work and marketing communications, the WVU EcoCAR team is prepared to refine the modifications made in Year 3. EcoCAR provides WVU students the opportunity to experience an innovative team dynamic that is invaluable to their future careers with hands-on experience and exposure to cutting edge hardware and software tools used by industry. The team leadership consists of two faculty advisors and six graduate students.
WVU EcoCAR’s SDI team will continue with testing and calibration work in Year 4 while refining vehicle functionality. Along with this work the team will be cleaning up visual aspects of the vehicle as well as the interior to enhance consumer appeal.
The CAVs team will be digging into calibration this year. The team’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have been developed and evaluated in simulations, and now it’s time to tune them for the real world. Throughout the year we’ll be taking the LYRIQ out to closed courses to fine tune our vehicle with Level 2 autonomy capabilities focusing on features including: Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, and Automatic Intersection navigation.
The WVU EcoCAR team is dedicated to expanding STEM education by welcoming students into the EcoCAR garage and traveling to communities across West Virginia, especially those with limited access to educational resources. During these visits, the team introduces students to the competition, highlights emerging technologies like electric vehicles, and shares pathways into STEM careers. Beyond sparking curiosity, these efforts strengthen connections across the state, showing young people that innovation and opportunity can start right here in West Virginia.
Mission
West Virginia University EcoCAR focuses on bringing together a diverse team consisting of faculty members, graduate, and undergraduate students to guide and sharpen technical skills. Incorporating the competition’s vision as well as improving soft skills helps students engage and prepare for professional work environments, allowing our team to advance towards our goal of increased automotive job placement. Improving the team’s ability to work in diverse environments will produce more opportunity for engagement with local communities, which will be the focus of most of the planned outreach events in Year 4.
Team Members
Dr. Andrew Nix
Lead Faculty Advisor
West Virginia University
Dr. Brian Woerner
Lead CAVs Faculty Advisor
West Virginia University
Homer Butcher
PCM Lead
West Virginia University
Angelina McGuire
Communications Manager
West Virginia University
Demetrios Svingos
Mobility Challenge Lead
West Virginia University
Dalton Wiggins
SDI Lead
West Virginia University
Jared Behr
CAVs Lead
West Virginia University
Joseph Swartz
Project Manager
West Virginia University
Leader Team Quotes
“EcoCAR is a fantastic opportunity to gain industry-related experience, as well as a quality education. Working with professionals to accomplish project deliverables will help you to relate knowledge gained through coursework with real-world business experience, while teaching important networking skills.” – Joseph Swartz, Project Manager
“My favorite part of EcoCAR has been the travel opportunities. In just one semester, I had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C., Riverside, California, and San Diego, California. Without this program, I would have never seen the West Coast. Traveling across the country alone has made me a more confident traveler, and along the way, I’ve experienced new cultures and gained a broader worldview.” – Angelina McGuire, Communications Manager
“Since becoming a team lead for WVU EcoCAR, I’ve gained a network of friends and colleagues spanning every discipline of engineering as well as computer science and marketing communications. The connections I’ve made have enriched every aspect of my graduate life and inspire me to do my best in all of my endeavors.” – Demetrios Svingos, Mobility Challenge Lead
Get Involved & Contact Information
Students can volunteer with WVU EcoCAR starting as a freshman and can begin earning course credit through the university in technical electives as a sophomore and Capstone Design courses as a senior. The team meets every Tuesday and Thursday for class from 2 p.m.- 4:50 p.m. in the EcoCAR labs (Engineering Sciences Building G-15/G-17/G-20).
Address
395 Evansdale Drive Morgantown, WV 26505
Joseph Swartz – Project Manager
[email protected]
