Driving to a Sustainable Future, a New DNA for the Automobile

Due to the LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF SEATS in the Arthur Miller Theatre, advance registration is required at: https://www.engin.umich.edu/form/burns

Michael Korybalski, Chair of the Mechanical Engineering External Advisory Board and former CEO of Mechanical Dynamics, has endowed a prestigious lectureship in Mechanical Engineering in the general area of Engineer in Society. As part of this annual lectureship to mechanical engineers and the broader university community, a series of high profile speakers will promote the impact that engineers have on addressing large societal problems, such as energy and environment, health and quality of life, national security, disaster prevention, etc.
The DNA of the automobile has changed very little over the last 100 years. Vehicles continue to be largely energized by petroleum, powered by internal combustion engines, and operated by mechanical controls. Given today's challenges related to energy, environment, safety, and congestion, one must question whether the continued evolution of this DNA will enable sustainable industry growth. Fortunately, a new automotive DNA is at hand, made possible by the oncvergence of advanced propulsion, electronics, controls, telematics, and lightweight and smart materials. The convergence of these technologies will enable th industry to reinvent the automobile and move toward a sustainable future. This new DNA will make our vehicles even greater works of art, power, fun, and access than those we know today.
Dr. Larry Burns has been Vice President of Research & Development and Strategic Planning for General Motors Corporation since May 1998. In this post, he oversees GM's advanced technology, innovation programs, and corporate strategy. In addition to driving innovation in today's vehicles, Dr. Burns is championing GM's "reinvention" of the automobile around advanced propoulsion, electronics, telematics, and materials technologies. The goal is to realize sustainable mobility with vehicles that are inspirational and affordable. Dr. Burns began his career at GM in 1969. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He also has a master's degree in engineering/public policy from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute.