MathWorks Partners with EcoCAR 2 to Develop the Next Generation of Engineers

Support of Student Engineering Competition Delivers Mentors and Industry-Standard MATLAB and Simulink to Competing Teams for Project-Based Learning.

NATICK, Mass. - MathWorks today announced its support of EcoCAR 2, a three-year competition that enables engineering students to design and build eco-friendly vehicles using cutting-edge automotive technologies. Throughout the competition, college and university students will gain practical experience using the technologies employed by today’s leading automotive companies.

MathWorks broad support of EcoCAR 2 will include equipping all 16 participating university teams with its tools for Model-Based Design, including MATLAB and Simulink. In addition, a team of technical mentors will work closely with students and faculty over the course of the challenge.

Established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM), EcoCAR 2 delivers a real-world design experience to engineering students. The competition challenges 16 universities across North America to reduce the environmental impact of a Chevrolet Malibu without compromising its performance, safety, and consumer acceptability. Students are required to follow a real-world engineering regimen modeled after GM’s Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP). As part of the program, participants will use MathWorks tools for Model-Based Design to create, model, and simulate their vehicle architecture.

“MathWorks has been a part of the DOE’s advanced vehicle technology competitions for more than 10 years,” said Paul Smith, director of consulting services at MathWorks and lead EcoCAR 2 mentor. “These competitions bridge classroom theory with hands-on learning of industry practices and technologies. We believe this approach with EcoCAR 2 will help develop future automotive engineers and encourage innovations in engineering design across all industries. It’s an incredible experience to be a part of, and we’re looking forward to the next three years!”