Written by: Grace McQuirter
At the heart of innovation in the automotive industry stands General Motors (GM). As a Headline Sponsor of EcoCAR, GM provides cutting-edge vehicles and resources, as well as valuable mentorship and industry insights. This support is essential to the Mississippi State University team’s success, helping students develop innovative skills through hands-on vehicle design challenges.
A major contribution from GM is their donation of the Rear-Wheel Drive 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ, which the team is converting to an all-wheel-drive model with custom electric drive units, control systems, and Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) features. GM also provides access to a 3D design model of the LYRIQ, which is crucial for the team to efficiently redesign and package components for optimal performance. Additionally, GM’s advanced Vehicle Intelligence Platform encryption system allows the team to securely integrate their control and autonomous algorithms, providing students with experience using real-world technology. This system also helps ensure the safety and reliability of the CAV vehicle systems the team is developing.
General Motors provides each of the 13 teams a seasoned industry mentor to help guide the teams through each series. Gary Rushton, Feature Owner and Product Manager of Vision and Visibility, is a longstanding mentor of the Mississippi State University EcoCAR Team. Gary offers guidance and insights on redesigning the Cadillac LYRIQ. Through his expertise, students gain valuable industry knowledge and hands-on experience that will shape their careers. His mentorship highlights GM’s commitment to student development and innovation.
The partnership between GM and the EcoCAR team goes beyond competition. Many EcoCAR alumni have launched successful careers at GM and other leading companies, supported by the skills they gained through the program.
GM’s support is vital to the EcoCAR team’s success, equipping them with advanced tools, mentorship, and technology to innovate and compete at the highest level.
We invite you to follow the Mississippi State EcoCAR team on social media (@msuecocar) for the latest updates and to see firsthand how this innovative team, in partnership with GM, is driving forward the future of vehicle technology.
