The design architectures of road vehicles - for both personal and freight transport - are being transformed by digital technologies. The high functionality of these technologies, and their speed of development, represent a new era in the century-long progress of automotive engineering.
The new digital backbone of the vehicle allows a number of electronic systems composed of sensors, actuators and interfaces to interact and create a new level of mobility experiences and outcomes. Moving rapidly beyond “drive by wire” and driver assistance systems, elements of machine vision, artificial intelligence, wireless connectivity, automation, and electrification are penetrating globally-available automotive consumer product. A more interactive customer experience is being created with online sales, online performance options, data analytics, over-the-air updates and usage-based insurance.
Behind the scenes, digial supply chains, modular platforms, data networks, cybersecurity and 3D printing are all playing an important part. Digital technologies will continue to drive safety improvements, and will positively impact energy consumption and greenhouse emissions.
Recording
Panellists
Dr Peter F. Sweatman
Enterprise Professor in Transport Technologies / The University of Melbourne
Dr Sweatman has over 30 years of experience in transportation research and innovation, and the application of R&D. That experience encompasses vehicles, drivers, and infrastructure and impinges on technology, policy, and strategic planning. He is a trusted international voice on connected and automated vehicles, safety, ITS, transportation research and education, and freight technology and policy. He has worked extensively in Europe and Asia-Pacific as well as the United States.
Dr Sweatman is the recipient of the 2020 Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award, read more here.
John Wall
Program Manager Future Vehicles / Austroads
John Wall is recognised as one of Australia’s leading specialists in the application of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for road safety. He has over 25 years of experience in the development of road safety strategies and countermeasures and holds tertiary qualifications in applied science, education and public health.
At the beginning of 2019, he commenced in the role of Program Manager for Connected and Automated Vehicles for Austroads; the peak organisation of Australasian road transport and traffic agencies. Austroads members are collectively responsible for the management of over 900,000 kilometres of roads valued at more than $250 billion representing the single largest community asset in Australia and New Zealand.
John is the recipient of the National Medal for Service and a Commendation for Courage for his work as a volunteer first responder with the New South Wales State Emergency Service. For more than 34 years he has been on the front line of responding to rescue incidents in his local community and has experienced first-hand the tragic consequences and cost of road trauma to communities. This is a primary driver for the work that he does with Austroads.
Zack Bolton
Head of Innovation Management, Holistic Engineering and Advanced Technology Group / Continental North America
Zachary Bolton serves as Innovation Manager for North America within Continental’s Holistic Engineering and Advanced Technology group, a position he has held since June 2017. In this role, Bolton leads the division’s innovation projects, efforts in intellectual property protection and strategic cross-industry partnerships.
Bolton joined Continental in 2005 working on anti-lock brake systems testing, an experience that also took him to Berlin, Germany, to help develop hybrid-electric powertrain test fixtures. Upon returning to the U.S., Bolton focused on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, developing software and algorithms for adaptive cruise control and brake assistant systems. More recently he managed the cross-domain Driver Focus Vehicle project, concentrating on the involvement of driver monitoring systems in semi- and fully automated driving vehicles.
Bolton received his bachelor of mechanical engineering degree from the University of Detroit Mercy where he graduated summa cum laude. He’s sat on the university’s board of athletics and also serves as an elected member of the board of directors for the school’s Titan Athletic Club.
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