Page 10 - Kettering Magazine Spring 2017
P. 10
moBiliTY leAdership
grAduATe BelieVes
Automotive dnA is About to Change
or the first time in a century, there is an opportunity
B y S a r a h S c h u c h
Fto completely change the design dnA of the
automobile, and larry Burns ‘75 has a vision for the
future of mobility.
“i’m An engineer
From The Top oF
mY heAd To The Tips
oF mY Toes And
KeTTering TAughT me
A wAY oF ThinKing
ThAT serVed me
exTremelY well.”
- Larry Burns ’75
“A digital revolution, new materials and energy innovation are coming all at once.
it’s no longer a question of whether, but one of when our 130-year-old mobility
system transforms,” Burns said. “Connected vehicles are already prevalent, and
driverless car technology could be proven in a few years. we’ve entered into a once-
in-a-century opportunity to transform our mobility and it’s happening quicker than
people thought it would.”
The technology for autonomous vehicles could be ready by 2018, he said.
Burns, a consultant to several firms including waymo, google’s self-driving car
initiative, sees four futures based on whether the vehicle requires a driver or drives
itself, and whether people personally own cars or share them.
10 Ke TT ering mA g A zine
