ARC Showcases Digital Engineering Testbed to Major General Rogers, Demonstrating Readiness to Support the U.S. Army Transformation
On July 8th, 2025, the Automotive Research Center (ARC) at the University of Michigan proudly demonstrated its cutting-edge Digital Engineering (DE) testbed capabilities to Major General Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard. The visit served as a powerful opportunity to showcase ARC’s role in advancing the U.S. Army’s modernization goals—particularly in support of the Army Transformation Initiative aimed at securing operational dominance in complex and contested environments.
“The ARC demonstration offered an impressive glimpse into how academic research can directly serve national defense priorities,” said Prof. Eric Michielssen, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering, University of Michigan. “I was honored to join Major General Rogers and our distinguished guests in witnessing how the ARC’s Digital Engineering ecosystem is transforming autonomous systems, human-machine teaming, and mission adaptability. These innovations are not only technologically advanced—they are mission-driven and operationally informed, which is exactly the kind of fundamental and yet translational research we champion in the College of Engineering.”
A key focus of the demonstration was the integration of advanced Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) research into the ARC’s DE ecosystem. This activity is shaping new methods to maintain U.S. superiority by enabling effective, seamless control of autonomous systems under battlefield-relevant stressors. One of the standout features presented to Major General Rogers was the ARC’s voice-command control system, powered by large language models (LLMs), which enables natural-language interaction and coordination of multiple autonomous vehicles simultaneously.
Beyond command-and-control innovations, the ARC is pushing the boundaries of cognitive ergonomics and mission adaptability. The DE testbed integrates real-time cognitive load assessment using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and gaze tracking via Tobii smart glasses. These systems allow researchers to evaluate and optimize soldier decision-making and performance, particularly in high-stress or ambiguous situations where autonomy may fail and human intervention becomes critical.
The ARC also highlighted its advanced simulation capabilities using a motion platform that immerses soldiers in virtual environments replicating terrain and mission conditions that are otherwise physically inaccessible. These interactive simulations provide unique data on physical responses, situational awareness, and user-system interaction—all of which inform design guidelines to ensure future Army systems remain resilient, intuitive, and combat-ready.
“We are deeply grateful to Major General Rogers and all our distinguished guests for engaging with the ARC’s research community,” said Prof. Bogdan I. Epureanu, Director of the U.S. Army Automotive Research Center of Excellence (ARC) at the University of Michigan. “The success of this visit reflects the dedication of our faculty, researchers, and students, and underscores the ARC’s pivotal role in advancing U.S. Army readiness through digital engineering, autonomy, and resilient system design. I would also like to thank the College of Engineering for its strong support and in particular Associate Dean Eric Michielssen for his leadership and close partnership.”
The visit by Major General Rogers underscored ARC’s growing role as a vital University-based national asset. By blending advanced AI, immersive simulation, and soldier-centric feedback, the ARC is helping the U.S. Army build digital twins, autonomous platforms, and warfighter interfaces that are not only technologically advanced but operationally informed and ready for real-world deployment.