McMaster University unveils new auto research institute (May 05, 2008)

A new research institute has been established at McMaster University to coordinate its involvement in the automotive sector, according to an announcement made at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) annual conference in Hamilton, Ont.

The McMaster Institute for Automotive Research and Technology called MacAUTO for short will unite more than 75 researchers in engineering, science, business and other facilities involved in automotive-related research, including collaboration with more than 30 private and public sector organizations.

“Better coordinating our efforts across disciplines will lead to new ideas and better solutions for the automotive industry,” said Mo Elbestawi, vice-president of research and international affairs at McMaster. “It will also make it easier for organizations to access our pool of highly qualified researchers and leading-edge facilities to advance a vital industry sector in Ontario and worldwide.”

The MacAUTO institute is the latest contribution from McMaster to materials and manufacturing-related research for the automotive industry. The university is also involved in such groups as the McMaster Steel Research Centre, the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute and the Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research. McMaster has also established the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics, and the Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy. Other automotive research initiatives involve studies in the areas of labour, globalization, sustainability, and driver behavior such as visual attention and motion perception.

“We are positioned to make significant contributions to the next generation of automobiles and how they impact society,” said David Wilkinson, dean of the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster and the lead behind the development of MacAUTO. “We are also developing the expertise that will move these developments forward in the future.”

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