Auto researchers receive federal funding

Monday, June 4, 2012

A University of Waterloo team, headed by Eihab Abdel-Rahman of systems design engineering, is receiving a $1.2 million boost in federal funding. Abdel-Rahman leads a team working on a system of sensors that will detect, through hand movement on a steering wheel, whether a driver has any alcohol in his or her system.

The three other uWaterloo researchers who are receiving funding through the AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence include Behrad Khamesee of mechanical and mechatronics engineering. The $175,700 he's receiving will support his team’s work in the development of energy-harvesting shock absorbers that may improve vehicle comfort, stability and efficiency. 

The funding announced May 30, by Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, is part of a $22-million investment by the AUTO21 network that includes contributions from Canada's automotive sector, including numerous automakers, parts manufacturers, and material suppliers. It will support 40 automotive R&D projects at Canadian universities for two years in partnership with more than 100 public and private sector companies. [DB article]