Developing innovative automotive technologies gives University of Windsor
student a financial boost

OTTAWA , Feb. 2 /CNW/ - A smart camera technology that can help increase a factory's efficiency helped a University of Windsor student win a national automotive research competition. Siddhant Ahuja, a PhD student, won the AUTO21 TestDRIVE competition, receiving a $10,000 scholarship for his work on indoor real-time location tracking systems.

Wireless communication monitoring systems have been ineffective in tracking items on an assembly line due to the harsh shop conditions that can disturb radio frequencies. The visual sensor network technology presented by Ahuja can trace products through an assembly line and aid in automated inspection and identification, increasing the flexibility and productivity of automotive factories. The network uses spatially distributed smart cameras and web-enabled software.

The AUTO21 TestDRIVE competition showcased leading edge technologies and automotive knowledge developed in part by Canadian university graduate students. As Canada's national automotive research program, AUTO21 provides funding to more than 50 applied R&D projects at 45 universities across the country. More than 500 students contribute to these projects, along with 220 academic researchers. Since its establishment in 2001, AUTO21 has supported more than 1400 graduate student researchers with federal and private-sector funding.

"Since each contributes to an industry-led research project, AUTO21 students are gaining a unique blend of academic and industry R&D experience," said Dr. Peter Frise , Scientific Director and CEO. "The technologies presented at TestDRIVE have the potential to keep Canadians safer, make manufacturing processes more efficient and contribute to lighter, stronger, more fuel efficient vehicles."

TestDRIVE was held in conjunction with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' Roadmap to Recovery Summit in Ottawa . The TestDRIVE winner was announced during the Summit's Canadian Innovation Awards.

"The future of manufacturing will be driven by innovative ideas of our young generation," said Jayson Myers , president & CEO of CME. "TestDRIVE is the epitome of transforming today's great ideas into tomorrow's innovation."

In addition to the $10,000 scholarship, a $5,000 scholarship was awarded to Martin Lavelliere of Laval University for his research on virtual driver trainer software.

AUTO21 supports research projects in six key areas: health, safety and injury prevention; societal issues; materials and manufacturing; design processes; powertrains, fuels and emissions; and intelligent systems and sensors. AUTO21 is supported by the Government of Canada through a Networks of Centres of Excellence program, and its administrative centre is hosted by the University of Windsor.

For further information: Stephanie Campeau, Communications Manager, AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence, Tel: [phone], ext. 4129, Cell: [phone]