Clemson University has made history by awarding the nation’s first-ever Bachelor of Science degrees in Automotive Engineering. A brick-laying ceremony held this week at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) honored the inaugural graduating class—four students whose names are now permanently engraved in a brick pathway at CU-ICAR, symbolizing their role in paving the way for future automotive engineers.

This milestone comes more than two decades after the Clemson University Board of Trustees approved the creation of an automotive engineering degree program—the first, and still the only, academic program of its kind. Initially established as a graduate-level initiative, the program began enrolling students in 2006 and awarded its first master’s and Ph.D. degrees in 2009. Since then, over 1,110 graduate degrees have been conferred. In 2022, guided by input from leading industry partners, Clemson expanded its program to the undergraduate level, aiming to meet the growing demand for engineers with specialized automotive training.”

“Looking back now, after almost 20 years, I see a vibrant graduate program that has really found its footing and offers a unique learning experience to students from around the world,” said Laine Mears, Director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and BMW SmartState Chair of Automotive Manufacturing. “Launching the undergraduate program three years ago was the next step in providing one-of-a-kind experiences to an even broader cohort of students. The Department of Automotive Engineering has built something never before seen, and I could not be prouder to be a part of it.”

The Automotive Engineering program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the mobility industry. The interdisciplinary curriculum integrates deep technical training with a modern systems-engineering approach, while also incorporating leadership and business acumen critical to thriving in today’s global economy. Students are immersed in practical, hands-on experiences, as well as cutting-edge research in emerging areas such as autonomous vehicles, electrification, and sustainable transportation. The program’s effectiveness is evident: over 96% of graduates are currently employed in the mobility industry.

Anand Gramopadhye, Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, noted that this moment reflects years of vision, partnership, and purpose. “This milestone is a testament to Clemson’s commitment to aligning education with the evolving needs of industry,” said Gramopadhye. “From concept to execution, the undergraduate program in automotive engineering was designed in close collaboration with our industry partners. I’m so proud to see our students stepping directly into impactful roles and advanced study, ready to drive innovation in a sector that shapes the future of mobility.”

Although most of the first undergraduate cohort will graduate at ceremonies later this year or early 2026, these four students accelerated their path by applying previously earned credits and completing required senior-level courses early, becoming the first to finish the undergraduate program:

• Garrison Bishop (Spartanburg, SC) also earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and has accepted a role at Imperial Die Casting.
• Matthew Flaim (Yorktown Heights, NY) will begin graduate studies in Automotive Engineering at CU-ICAR this fall.
• Trevor Levine (Irmo, SC) served on staff at the Makerspace at CU-ICAR and has accepted a position at Bertrandt US Inc.
• Colin Luongo (Oxford, GA) will begin graduate studies in Automotive Engineering at CU-ICAR this fall.

The brick-laying ceremony not only honored these students’ individual achievements, but also celebrated Clemson’s pioneering role in shaping the next generation of automotive leaders. As the field continues to evolve, Clemson remains at the forefront of innovation, education, and industry collaboration.

Key Milestones in Clemson’s Automotive Engineering Program:

• 2002: BMW, Timken and Michelin endow professorships to help establish Automotive Engineering program
• 2002: Graduate program approved by Board of Trustees
• 2006: First students enrolled in Automotive Engineering program
• 2007: Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research established
• 2009: First master’s & Ph.D. degrees awarded
• 2010: Department of Automotive Engineering formed
• 2010: Deep Orange education program established
• 2022: Undergraduate program approved by Board of Trustees
• 2023: Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering launched with 35 students
• 2025: First Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering degrees awarded

For more information about Clemson’s automotive engineering programs, visit clemson.edu/automotive-engineering.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) and Clemson University have announced a partnership to enhance the diesel electric drivetrain of ARA’s autonomous robot. The collaboration brings together industry and academia to deliver the robotic platform to the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).

“GVSC has been a longtime robotics partner of ARA, and this platform is a critical development in autonomous innovation,” said ARA Vice President Matt Fordham. “This partnership between industry, academia, and government is a testament to our collective commitment to growing the technology sector in and around Greenville, S.C. We are excited to leverage the expertise at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) to deliver an advanced system that meets the dynamic needs of the Army.”

The research of the Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) Research Center at CU-ICAR will extend the shared research expertise with ARA and GVSC to leverage the university’s unique lab capabilities. “This partnership exemplifies the culture of innovation and collaboration at CU-ICAR. Expanding our relationship with ARA and the U.S. Army further enables us to produce meaningful research on our campus and advance the economic development mission of the university in our region,” said David Clayton, Executive Director of CU-ICAR.

“Our collaboration with ARA and the U.S. Army not only allows for an incredible real-world learning environment, but these partnerships also keep our research grounded in what matters in the industry,” said Rob Prucka, Director of VIPR-GS Research Center. “Our students and faculty are gaining invaluable industry experience while developing autonomous technologies that actively protect civilians and military personnel.”

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) was founded in 1979, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to offer science and engineering research to solve problems of national importance. ARA delivers leading-edge products and innovative solutions for national defense, energy, homeland security, aerospace, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. With over 2,000 employee-owners at locations in the U.S. and Canada, ARA offers a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil engineering, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, biomedical engineering, environmental technologies, and blast testing and measurement.

Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) is a 250-acre advanced-technology research campus where university, industry and government organizations collaborate. The university offers master’s and Ph.D. programs in automotive engineering at CU-ICAR and is conducting leading-edge applied research in critical areas, such as advanced product-development strategies, sustainable mobility, intelligent manufacturing systems and advanced materials. CU-ICAR has industrial-scale laboratories and testing equipment in world-class facilities.

The Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) Research Center at Clemson University is a premier research initiative focused on advancing digital engineering, autonomy, propulsion systems, and virtual prototyping for next-generation military ground vehicles. In collaboration with the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) and industry partners, VIPR-GS is driving innovation in autonomy-enabled ground systems to support the Army’s modernization priorities. VIPR-GS works closely with a diverse network of stakeholders, these partnerships facilitate the transition of cutting-edge research into field-ready solutions and accelerate the development of military and commercial vehicle technologies. VIPR-GS is committed to shaping the future of autonomy-enabled ground systems by combining cutting-edge research, digital innovation, and strong collaborations. Its ongoing efforts contribute to the Army’s Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program and ensure that U.S. military ground systems remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

Acknowledgment: This work was supported by Clemson University’s Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS), under Cooperative Agreement W56HZV-21-2-0001 with the US Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).

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In February nearly 300 interdisciplinary researchers, industry leaders and government officials converged on Clemson, SC for three days of research discussions and demonstrations on the future of mobility.

The gathering was part of the annual review of the VIPR-GS Research Center, a partnership between Clemson University and the US Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) aimed at developing innovative digital engineering tools for rapid exploration and design of the next generation of on- and off-road vehicles. VIPR-GS, an acronym for Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems, consists of 80 Clemson faculty from across 13 departments and more than 130 student researchers. Together, they are working on 43 active translational research projects in labs throughout South Carolina.

“Our partnership with the US Army and industry leaders helps ensure that our research is grounded in real-world application. The ability to take our foundational research and transition it into something that moves the industry forward is really meaningful.”

– Dr. Rob Prucka,
Director, VIPR-GS Research Center
Director, Deep Orange Vehicle Prototyping Program
Alan Kulwicki Professor of Motorsports Engineering

After a tour of the VIPR-GS Research Center facilities at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville, SC, the events moved to the Madren Conference Center in Clemson, SC for two days of demonstrations and presentations. In addition to sessions featuring faculty and industry professionals, student researchers had the opportunity to highlight their work during a poster display exhibition. Each presentation was aligned with ongoing research based on the key components of the VIPR-GS Research Center: autonomy, power systems, and digital engineering. In recent years some research has been tested and displayed through vehicles produced by the Deep Orange program, an accelerated and immersive vehicle concept development framework within the Department of Automotive Engineering. In partnership with GVSC and the VIPR-GS Research Center, Clemson students produced two high-speed autonomous vehicles designed for off-road, non-combat missions. These prototype vehicles will continue to serve as platforms for real-world validation of joint research projects.

Now in its sixth year, the VIPR-GS Research Center produces an impact far beyond any single project by compressing design and development timelines producing tools for smarter, faster and more cost-effective autonomous vehicles. Two critical themes of this process and the future of the VIPR-GS Research Center are digital engineering and Human Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF), the optimization and integration of technology and human capabilities. Dr. Philip Frederick, Deputy Chief Scientist for the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center, emphasized each discipline and the value of the VIPR-GS Research Center during his keynote address.

“As demonstrated through the recent Deep Orange projects, VIPR-GS is ideally positioned to utilize the knowledge of faculty and students, along with digital engineering and industry relationships, to not only create valuable research for today, but that continually builds for a lasting impact.”

– Dr. Philip Frederick, Deputy Chief Scientist for the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems

A common theme in the presentations was the importance of people and relationships. In addition to the touted Clemson faculty and students, GVSC and the VIPR-GS Research Center maintain strong partnerships with universities and industry leaders across South Carolina and the nation. Dr. Frederick stressed that while the research has valuable real-world applications, “it’s always the people who ultimately develop and use the technologies.” To illustrate this value, Dr. Prucka told the story of Drew Girshovich, a graduate of the Department of Automotive Engineering and Deep Orange 15 team member, who, after graduation began working for an industry partner in Greenville, SC, where he is continues to collaborate with VIPR-GS and GVSC on ongoing projects.

“The mission of the VIPR-GS Research Center is to help the US Army produce research and resources to develop better vehicles, but perhaps our most meaningful product is our students and future industry leaders. Ultimately the industry is run by people, and I couldn’t be prouder of the role Clemson plays in developing the future workforce and pushing the industry forward.”

– Dr. Rob Prucka,
Director, VIPR-GS Research Center
Director, Deep Orange Vehicle Prototyping Program
Alan Kulwicki Professor of Motorsports Engineering

Acknowledgment: This work was supported by Clemson University’s Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) under Cooperative Agreement W56HZV-21-2-0001 with the US Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC

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Samaritan Biologics, a medical technology company, today announced it is expanding its operations in Greenville County. The company’s $5 million investment will create 85 new jobs.

Each year, natural disasters cause significant damage and disruption to the nation’s transportation infrastructure, destroying delivery routes to affected populations and complicating efforts to assess the situation.

In 2022 alone, natural disasters caused an estimated $165.1 billion in damages in the United States, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

To expedite the delivery of supplies and to gather real-time data for emergency responders, Clemson University students at the International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville, S.C. developed an off-road reconnaissance and relief vehicle that can navigate all on its own.

Equipped with lidars, cameras and high-accuracy GPS (GNSS), the autonomous vehicle can sense and navigate on unknown terrain. The vehicle can reach 45 mph, scale 18-inch high obstacles, maneuver 60% grade surfaces and pivot 360 degrees in place in two seconds.

Its adaptable series-hybrid powertrain allows for powerful maneuverability and improved fuel economy as well as silent travel in electric-only mode. When the vehicle arrives at its destination, it can deliver emergency supplies and act as a mobile generator in case of electricity disruptions without putting humans in harm’s way.

The vehicle is a result of Clemson’s flagship rapid vehicle prototype program, Deep Orange, housed within the University’s two-year master’s degree focused on systems integration in automotive engineering. To make such an ambitious project possible, two cohorts of Deep Orange students collaborated across three years to develop this autonomous, high-speed, off-road relief vehicle from the ground up.

Students worked with faculty and staff at Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), along with the project’s primary sponsor U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).

Clemson announced its strategic partnership with GVSC in 2020 when the University founded its Virtual Prototyping of autonomy-enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) center, backed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The partnership was designed to propel research breakthroughs in off-road vehicle autonomy, powertrain electrification, and digital engineering tools to more effectively support the mission of GVSC.

“Reliable and robust off-road driverless technology is critical to developing the next generation of military mobility vehicles. Even more critical is developing skilled and experienced engineers who can continue to drive innovation in our sector in the future. This project addresses powertrain electrification and digital engineering processes, which are key development areas for GVSC. Along with autonomy, these development areas are the driving forces behind GVSC’s research partnership with Clemson.”
– David Gorsich, U.S. Army Chief Scientist at GVSC

After the student team graduates, the Deep Orange 14 vehicle represents a unique and complex state-of-the-art research asset for Clemson, catapulting the University to the forefront of autonomous high-speed off-road research.

“The Deep Orange 14 vehicle provides not only a validation and verification tool for the intricate dynamic modeling of tracked skid steer vehicles in challenging topographies, but also a sophisticated deployment platform for cutting-edge control algorithms and energy management strategies for series hybrid vehicles,” said Assistant Professor Dr. Matthias Schmid, a faculty co-lead for Deep Orange 13/14 and VIPR-GS researcher. “As an advanced sensor platform, it will help us shape the next generation of situational awareness through sensor and data fusion at high speeds in an unprecedented setting.”

Access to such a highly developed research tool with its multilayered system integration is a rare opportunity in academia and distinct research advantage for Clemson, according to Schmid.

“Witnessing the development of a vehicle from the ground up and observing its successful performance while meeting all specifications is incredibly rewarding,” said Kaivalya Khorgade, who served as Deep Orange 14’s chief vehicle engineer. “With its tracked design and advanced series-hybrid powertrain, the vehicle can conquer various obstacles, while its autonomous features, including an array of camera and lidar sensors, offer invaluable data collection and urban reconnaissance capabilities.”

“Being challenged as a student to develop something of this complexity, something at the edge of technology, is an incredible learning experience – Let alone seeing their work live on through the discoveries of our researchers,” said BWM Chair in Systems Integration at Clemson Chris Paredis, who oversaw the Deep Orange program during both cohorts.

“It’s not just making everything work, it’s creating data logging and input capabilities to inform research across autonomy, vehicle dynamics, powertrain performance, thermal management, and more.”
– Chris Paredis, BMW Chair in Systems Integration at Clemson

The Clemson team debuted their design in Novi, Michigan at the 15th Annual Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS).

MISSION SCENARIOS

The vehicle addresses two mission scenarios, which students used to determine the vehicle’s technical specifications and critical functions.

1. Cold Weather Disaster Relief Mission

An unexpected snowstorm blocks highways and leaves civilians in need of food, water, and power for electricity. The autonomous vehicle must provide much-needed resources until workers can repair the local infrastructure, traversing unknown off-road terrain to get to the town in time.

2. Urban Reconnaissance Mission

A natural disaster such as a hurricane or flood changes the topography so dramatically that even aerial cameras are not able to discern if the area is traversable. The autonomous vehicle must drive through the area to assess damage, create a digital map and determine whether ground vehicles behind it would be able to pass or get stuck.

CRITICAL VEHICLE FUNCTIONS

Autonomous Off-Road Path Planning

Using LiDARs, cameras, and GPS, the Deep Orange vehicle navigates autonomously through unstructured, dynamically-changing environments. The autonomy algorithms can plan missions through unknown terrain, gathering information and updating maps based on the on-board sensors.

Off-Road Maneuverability

With its 24-inch-wide tracks, the Deep Orange vehicle can traverse almost any terrain. It can travel at speeds up to 45 mph, scale 18-inch-high obstacles and perform a full 360-degree pivot-in-place in less than two seconds.

Landscape Reconnaissance

After a natural disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake, the Deep Orange vehicle can venture out to gather information about the changed landscape and determine the traversability of the terrain to aid subsequent logistical support. Exterior pan-tilt-zoom cameras can be manipulated and viewed remotely while the vehicle moves autonomously. Collected data is compiled into a map to be wirelessly sent via 5G network for analysis.

Series Hybrid Propulsion

The vehicle’s tracks are powered by permanent magnet synchronous motors that can produce 340 kW (456 HP) of peak power per track.  A 53kWh battery allows for eight hours of low-speed silent watch capability.  In addition, a 3.0L V6 onboard diesel generator can fully replenish the battery in 30 minutes, provide additional power for the traction system during high power-demand maneuvers or act as a mobile generator for survivors when it reaches its destination.

Dynamic Research Platform

With an intuitive user interface for remote control and autonomy, the Deep Orange vehicle is ready to be used by researchers working on advanced autonomy, energy management, vehicle dynamics and digital twins. It includes extensive sensor suites for vehicle dynamics, powertrain and energy management, and thermal management. The data for all these sensors are accurately time-stamped and curated to make it available for further analysis by researchers.

Major General Edmond ‘Miles’ Brown, who is commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and a native of Honea Path, South Carolina, visited the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) during the spring semester to learn about the University’s capabilities and the high-profile partnership between Clemson and DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).

Announced in 2020 and expanded in 2022, Clemson’s partnership with DEVCOM GVSC created the Virtual Prototyping of autonomy-enabled Grounds Systems (VIPR-GS) Center to develop innovative digital engineering tools for rapid exploration and design of the next-generation of on- and off-road vehicles. These tools aim to support GVSC’s ambitious goals for the rapid modernization of U.S. Army fleets.

Col. Sandy Edge—Clemson alumnus, senior business lecturer, and U.S. Air Force retiree—kicked off his visit with a summary of Clemson and its strong military history, including its founding as a military school for cadets seeking the highest academic excellence. To date, more than 10,000 Clemson alumni have served in the armed forces, and Clemson is home to 10 student military organizations.

Brown then toured several of the campus’s world-class facilities, including CU-ICAR’s advanced powertrain lab, autonomous vehicle test cell, and the AVX Mobility Systems Innovation Lab, home to Clemson’s flagship Deep Orange program. The afternoon featured faculty and student researchers’ ongoing work across digital engineering, advanced propulsion, human factors, smart energy, and autonomous driving.

As leader of the Army’s organic research and development capability and largest cohort of scientists and engineers, Brown is keenly aware of the expertise required to innovate.

“Deep Orange, and the Army’s partnership with Clemson, exemplify the power of shared innovation,” Brown said. “This program gives students a crash-course in the ways engineering disciplines apply to Army modernization, while letting them work alongside DEVCOM experts.

“They’re taking Army requirements and building advanced vehicle prototypes within two years – it’s truly impressive. Whether they end up working in the private sector or in our labs as an Army civilian scientist, these students are the next generation of innovators and the experts our Army and our Nation need now and into the future.” – Major General Edmond ‘Miles’ Brown

The visit was led by: School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Founding Director and VIPR-GS Director Zoran Filipi; CU-ICAR Executive Director David Clayton; and U.S. Army Chief Scientist at GVSC David Gorsich. They were joined by: College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences Associate Dean for Research Daniel L. Noneaker; BMW Endowed Chair Chris Paredis; Associate Professor Greg Mocko; Professor Johnell Brooks; Associate Professor Ben Lawler; and Michelin Endowed Chair Venkat Krovi, among others.

This visit comes after a string of high-profile announcements this year alone at CU-ICAR, including the:
· Launch of the nation’s first Bachelor of Science program in automotive engineering
· Creation of the new School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering
· R&D milestone for the University’s $58-million VIPR-GS Center
· Unveiling of Clemson-built sustainable vehicle prototype at the world’s largest tech conference

More about Clemson’s military history:
In 1916, ROTC was instituted at Clemson under the National Defense Act, and in 1917 the entire senior class enlisted in World War I. To date, more than 10,000 Clemson alumni have served in the armed forces, and more than 490 have given their lives to secure the freedom of others. Today, Clemson is home to ten student military organizations.