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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Las Vegas is synonymous entertainment, new relationships and unforgettable experiences —an apt description of a recent trip for Clemson University’s Automotive Engineering students.

Student and faculty representatives from Deep Orange, Clemson University’s accelerated vehicle concept development program, were invited to display their latest prototype vehicle at the 2024 Special Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. The event brings together the latest innovations and custom vehicle trends from across the world, and this year featured a high-speed, off-road, semi-autonomous search and rescue vehicle know as Deep Orange 15.  While the vehicle and program were acclaimed for their potential impact on the industry, the experience itself made quite an impression on the attending students.

Situated in the “Future Tech Innovation” section of the event, the Deep Orange display provided students the opportunity to showcase their work and engage with industry leaders. Deep Orange team member Dev Gupta reflected on his experience saying, “I was pretty nervous about how our work would be received at such a grand show, but the overwhelming interest and feedback from professionals in the mobility industry have inspired us to push even further.”

Fellow team member Rohit Godse echoed these sentiments, noting the value of interacting with industry professionals. “This marked my first ‘business trip,’ and it was an exceptional opportunity for me to interact with a diverse group of industry leaders. Answering technical questions about our vehicle and explaining our design choices was challenging, but incredibly rewarding. It was a great exercise in communication—something I’ll carry with me as I move forward in my career,” said Godse.

When they weren’t engaging with visitors at the Deep Orange display, the students explored the rest of the event’s expansive show floor to see the latest in design and innovation. “As a passionate engineer I have an appreciation for the value of sophisticated software and advanced technology, but I observed some vehicles where the only significant changes were to the exterior design – fancy lighting and sleek aesthetics – and those booths were just as packed,” said Deep Orange member Ajay Krishnan. “It was a real eye-opener, offering a fresh perspective on everything the end user may value.”

While in Las Vegas, the team tested the functionality of Deep Orange 15 at Nellis Dunes, an off-road vehicle recreation area offering vastly different terrains than their testing grounds in South Carolina. “Watching months of work pay off during the testing process was incredibly fulfilling,” said Godse. “Completing successful tests and then driving the vehicle to our booth with sand-covered, dirt-streaked tires was a moment I’ll never forget.”

As the trip came to a close, the team members reflected not only on their once-in-a-lifetime experience at the SEMA Show, but also on the educational journey that led them there. “Being part of a university that prioritizes hands-on, project-based learning has been invaluable. Opportunities like SEMA Show empower students to bridge the gap between academia and industry,” said Gupta. “It was such a privilege to represent Clemson and showcase our work on such a prominent platform.”

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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).

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.

Clemson University unveiled its latest groundbreaking autonomous rescue vehicle, Deep Orange 15, on Aug. 13 at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Novi, Michigan.

Deep Orange 15, an advanced, high-speed, off-road, semi-autonomous search-and-rescue vehicle, is equipped with semi-active suspension, an innovative litter-loading mechanism, a high-voltage battery, a rotating passenger seat to assist victims and a series hybrid powertrain.

The vehicle is the 15th created as part of Deep Orange, Clemson’s flagship student vehicle prototype education program, where master’s students in the University’s Department of Automotive Engineering work with industry professionals to strategize on the customers’ needs, develop unique concepts and engineer and build each vehicle from scratch.

Sponsors of Deep Orange 15 are: Clemson’s Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems program (VIPR-GS); U.S. Army’s DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC); Brembo; Fox Racing; and North American Rescue.

With the support of these organizations, Clemson students apply research topics that not only help advance autonomy technology but also help students gain hands-on skills to expand their experience and knowledge.

Robert Prucka, the faculty lead on Deep Orange 15, said the team is excited to unveil the vehicle.

“Our Deep Orange students collaborated across an 18-month period to develop this autonomous, high-speed, off-road relief vehicle from the ground up,” said Prucka, the Alan Kulwicki Professor of Motorsports Engineering. “Getting the opportunity to show our work and research at the GVSETS symposium provides our students with an understanding of the significance of these new technologies and the opportunity they are receiving from being a part of the Deep Orange program.”

GVSC is a major Deep Orange sponsor and is hosting the symposium at which Deep Orange 15 is being unveiled.

David Gorsich, the chief scientist at GVSC, emphasized that the deployment of autonomous vehicles is a priority for the U.S. Army.

“Through our digital transformation, virtual prototyping and digital engineering practices will enable us to design ground vehicles from a formations perspective and understand how specific technologies provide warfighting capabilities up-front, long before we go into production decisions,” he said. “The modeling and simulation done at Clemson and the teamwork in programs like Deep Orange are exemplars of how the Army Futures Command shapes the future.”

The Deep Orange program at Clemson is set up to create advanced vehicles for the vehicle sponsor and prepare students for future success.

Among them is Anirudda Joshi, a student pursuing a master’s degree in automotive engineering and serving as the engineering project manager for Deep Orange.

“Deep Orange’s product is not only the vehicle but also the student,” Joshi said. “It has been an honor to take part in Deep Orange 15. The hands-on engineering experience is beyond anything we would have received from the classroom alone. We look forward to sharing what we have created.”

The focus is on all aspects of automotive engineering, which helps students develop and hone their skills to prepare them for jobs at major automotive original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers.

Following the graduation of the student team, the Deep Orange 15 vehicle will stand as a unique and advanced research asset for Clemson University, propelling it to the forefront of autonomous high-speed off-road research.

The vehicle will serve as a validation and verification tool for the complex dynamic modeling of autonomous vehicles in challenging terrains and as an advanced deployment platform for pioneering control algorithms and energy management strategies for off-road vehicles.

Here are some of the challenges Deep Orange 15 was designed to address:

Natural Disaster Relief and Reconnaissance Mission
A natural disaster, such as a hurricane or an earthquake, changes the topography of the area and puts numerous people in immediate danger. The vehicle and two passengers must get to the scene within the golden hour (hour of time in which medical assistance is crucial for survival), create a digital map of the area, and make it back autonomously with the injured person and one passenger while the original driver stays behind at the scene to help others who are in need of assistance.

Off-Road Terrain Rescue Mission
A dehydrated hiker is stranded in a rocky area with a broken leg and needs medical attention. The vehicle must get to the hiker through the rocky terrain and get back to its original location unmanned while the driver assists the hiker in the back of the vehicle on a rescue litter.