Controls and Automated Systems

Controls and Automated Systems at Ford Greenfield Labs, Palo Alto

Abstract

Ford Greenfield Labs (GFL), Palo Alto is one of the many research centers within Ford Motor Company. We develop cutting edge approaches to research at the intersections of social and natural sciences, human-centered design and technology. We work collaboratively to address problems and iterate possible solutions. Our work creates the foundations and insights to help us not only prepare for, but also help shape our social and technological futures. We are creating tomorrow, together. In this talk, we introduce our campus, areas of focus, social engagements and our summer intern program.

Craig Stephens will share his background and discuss some of the key efforts for the Controls & Automated Systems team including advanced control methods, systems engineering & CAE, robotics & mobility research, and driver assist technologies.

Bios

Craig Stephens

Craig Stephens joined Ford in 1987 and has led significant efforts in Powertrain Calibration and Controls Engineering. Currently, he is the Director of Controls and Automated Systems, leading teams in Dearborn (Michigan), Palo Alto (California), Aachen (Germany) and Nanjing (China). The team has responsibility for every aspect of automotive controls from individual features to complex vehicle level control systems required for electrified powertrains, automated driving, and robotics. In addition to developing features for new products, the team is also very active in developing the underlying engineering techniques such as systems, software, modeling & simulation, and functional safety that are necessary to deliver these complex systems to production.

Sravani Yajamanam Kidambi

Sravani Yajamanam Kidambi is an Automated Driving Research Engineer at Ford GFL, Palo Alto. Kidambi is focused on delivering AI technologies and leveraging data analytics to enable faster and smarter analysis of perception algorithm performance on synthetic and real datasets. These efforts have helped Ford increase the efficiency of its feature prototyping and validation process as AI/DL-based features become pervasive. Kidambi started at Ford as a Research Intern before joining full-time. She joined as a Research Engineer after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from San Jose State University.

Amberdeep Samra

Amberdeep Samra is an Automated Driving Research Engineer at Ford GFL, Palo Alto. Samra has focused on supporting the validation efforts for a production-level feature. Throughout various stages of launching this feature, she has interacted with teams in Dearborn and conducted local user clinics to gauge their interests of the feature. She has also supported the validation process by leveraging real and synthetic datasets, which helped Ford increase the efficiency of this feature. Samra received her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University and her Master’s degree in Engineering Management from San Jose State University.

Time and Location

10/22/2019 1:30PM @ MH 225