Students from all areas of Carnegie Mellon University spent the spring semester exploring the future technology of electric vehicles through a partnership with Nissan.

 

The class is a cross-campus collaboration among faculty and researchers at the university's Carnegie Institute of Technology, School of Design and Tepper School of Business. The classroom challenge for this semester focused on addressing issues and developing solutions related to electric cars projected to be in the market in the next five years. Professionals from Nissan's advanced planning and product planning groups, engineers from Nissan Technical Center North America, researchers and designers from Nissan Design America supported the students as they executed their projects. The students' goal was to develop real-world innovations for Nissan electric vehicles.

 

"Nissan's electric vehicle program presents an unprecedented opportunity for re-imagining the future of transportation," said Rachel Nguyen, director, advanced planning, Nissan North America. "The student teams offered uniquely informed perspectives on zero-emission mobility and what that means for their generation."

 

The class worked in six teams, each of which spent the semester working towards a single concept, presented May 7 in the final class. Nissan has committed to moving beyond a single electric vehicle solution through the introduction of several electric vehicles, and these different solutions are designed to help Nissan explore future possibilities.

 

Some of the ideas that came out of the class were:

- Public charging a Nissan LEAF could be a productive use of time, with ideas for a pull out desk, storage for a laptop & wireless internet in the LEAF

- Trash recycling in the center console that can help keep the car clean

- A screen windshield for web browsing & email using new OLED technology while charging in public

- Stress Relief in the Nissan LEAF by posture pressure sensors and a foot rest to increase blood circulation

- A mini robot hand vac stored in center console of the Nissan LEAF

- Use a Nissan LEAF app to cool the fridge in the trunk of the car using the battery, and keeping food cold while traveling from store to store

- Custom recyclable LEAF branded bags come with the vehicle so that you can take them with you into the store

 

"Carnegie Mellon University's interdisciplinary approach to teaching offers these students the opportunity to gain experience on real-world projects," said Jonathan Cagan, Ladd Professor of Mechanical Engineering and co-director of the Master of Product Development program. "We're looking forward to the possibility of seeing these solutions on the road, in future iterations of Nissan electric vehicles." Cagan teaches the course with Peter Boatwright, Associate Professor of Marketing, and Eric Anderson, Associate Professor of Design.

 

Nissan is currently leading in electric-vehicle technology with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable all-electric vehicle designed for the mass market, arriving to the U.S. in December.

 

After applying a $7,500 federal tax credit, the net cost of the Nissan LEAF will start at $25,280. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $32,780. So far, more than 8,200 people have reserved Nissan LEAF electric cars through an early reservation program. Reservations open to everyone on May 15.

 

Source: Nissan