The
Automotive Research Center (ARC) is a University-based U.S. Army Center of Excellence for advancing
technology of high fidelity simulation of military and civilian ground
vehicles. It represents the key basic research partner of the National
Automotive Center at the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command
(TACOM) in Warren, Michigan.
The ARC was established in 1994 at the University of Michigan in partnership
with Howard University, the University of Iowa, Wayne State University,
and the University of Wisconsin. In 1997 the partnership base expanded
and now includes Clemson University, Oakland University, the University
of Tennessee, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Our mission is to study and demonstrate the creation of a flexible,
agile simulation system composed of a hierarchy of models of varying
resolution that can be tailored to meet a range of simulation objectives
and can significantly impact the product development process of
military and commercial automotive manufacturers. The Center supports
development of a realistic distributed interactive simulation network
for designing large complex systems, and promotes technical and
cultural interaction between the defense and civilian automotive
sectors.
In recent years the Center has increased its emphasis on research
involving high mileage, low polluting vehicles, particularly those
employing hybrid powertrains. In addition to automobiles, the Center
addresses the new high technology needs for large trucks and off-road
vehicles as well as robots.
ARC's mission is pursued along three dimensions:
Research
Education
Technology
Exchange
