#228 – Dr. Robert Prucka | Clemson Deep Orange – Real Project Experience for Future Automotive Engineers

Rob Prucka the Professor of Motorsports Engineering within the Department of Automotive Engineering at the Clemson University and director of the Deep Orange program. He joins to discuss the importance of real-world experience in engineering education, the role of systems engineering and problem-solving skills, and how understanding customer needs is crucial in vehicle design. Rob shares insights on unique selling propositions in vehicle development, the balance between innovation and practicality, and the significance of mentorship and learning from failure.

Links:

• Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/robprucka
• Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
• About (cuicardeeporange.com)
• Deep Orange 15 (cuicardeeporange.com)

Takeaways

• Real-world experience is crucial for engineering students.
• Systems engineering is essential for understanding complex problems.
• Identifying customer needs is a key part of vehicle design.
• Unique selling propositions help guide product development.
• Technology integration is vital for modern vehicle design.
• Balancing innovation with practical constraints is challenging.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in student development.
• Learning from failure is an important part of the process.
• Communication skills are critical in engineering teams.
• Continuous learning is necessary to stay relevant in the industry.

Dr. Robert Prucka

Dr. Prucka is the Professor of Motorsports Engineering within the Department of Automotive Engineering at the Clemson University. His research and teaching interests include the design, control, calibration, performance and emissions of advanced powertrain systems. He is currently researching the use of artificial intelligence and/or optimal control strategies for the design and operation of electrified powertrains used in autonomous off-road vehicles.

Clemson University Automotive

Clemson is at the forefront of shaping the future of mobility. From electric vehicles, to self-driving cars, to off-road vehicles that can withstand the most treacherous terrains, Clemson is driving innovative transportation solutions for a changing world.

Deep Orange is a vehicle prototype program at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research for the pioneering education, research and industry collaboration within the graduate degree programs in automotive engineering.

The program gives graduate students the extraordinary opportunity to create a prototype vehicle in two years—this marks the only student program of its kind that begins with an idea and culminates with the fabrication of a fully-functional vehicle concept. Students create their own full[1]scale vehicle from scratch and pitch their prototypes to industry partners. Skills and experience gained during this two-year journey make our graduates highly desirable hiring targets for major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tier 1 suppliers, and innovative startups.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an i