A PUBLICATION OF THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF DETROIT
V.25 | N.1 SUMMER 2020
2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARDS
Engineers Adapt and Assist in the Time of COVID 22
Maintaining Quality with a Remote Workforce 26
Autonomous Vehicle Expertise at LTU 28
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AUCH Construction’s new headquarters received a 2020 ESD Construction and Design Award. Page 16.
Technology Century
®
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E E N G I N E E R I N G S O C I E T Y O F D E T R O I T
Summer 2020
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ESD CORPORATE MEMBERS PUBLICATION NOTES PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE IN THE NEWS JOHN G. PETTY, FESD: 1938-2020 IN MEMORIAM UPCOMING EVENTS
FEATURES 10
ESD Adjusts to the Times
11
ESD Construction & Design Awards 2020
22
Engineering in the Time of COVID: ESD Members Adapt and Assist
26
Maintaining Quality with a Remote Workforce
28
The University of Michigan’s Biological Sciences Building (above and on the cover) is one of the 2020 recipients of an ESD Construction and Design Award. Page 14.
BY BRUCE BURT
Lawrence Tech Shows Off Autonomous Vehicle Expertise BY MATT ROUSH
30 Remote, Rural, and Fully Plugged In
BY ALLISON MILLS
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 1
ESD SUSTAINING AND CORPORATE MEMBER COMPANIES
SUSTAINING MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MEMBERS
AKT Peerless Environmental Services Altair Engineering American Axle Manufacturing American Center for Educational and Professional Services American Society of Employers Aristeo Construction AVL North America The Bartech Group Barton Malow Company Brightwing Central Michigan University Chrysan Industries Citizens Insurance Clark Hill, PLC CMS Enterprises Comfort Engineering Solutions, LLC Construction Association of Michigan Cornerstone Environmental Group, LLC CPCII Credit Union ONE CulturecliQ Danlaw, Inc. DASI Solutions DENSO International America, Inc. Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Detroit Transportation Corporation Dow Chemical Company DTE Energy DTE Energy Gas Operations Dürr Systems, Inc. Eastern Michigan University Education Planning Resources, Inc. Electrical Resources Company Electro-Matic Products, Inc. Energy Sciences Experis Farbman Group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Financial One, Inc. FirstMerit Bank Fishman Stewart PLLC Fusion Welding Solutions Gala & Associates, Inc. Gates Corporation GHD
General Dynamics General Motors Company Gensler George W. Auch Company Ghafari Associates, LLC Glenn E. Wash & Associates, Inc. Golder Associates Inc. Gonzalez Contingent Workforce Services GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Harley Ellis Devereaux Hartland Insurance Group, Inc. Hindsight Consulting, Inc. Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. The Hunter Group LLC IBI Group Ideal Contracting Integrity Staffing Group, Inc. ITT Technical Institute Canton ITT Technical Institute Dearborn IBEW Local 58 & NECA LMCC JNA Partners, Inc. Jozwiak Consulting, Inc. JTL America, Inc. Kettering University Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti and Sherbrook, PC Knovalent, Inc. Kolene Corporation Kostal North America Kugler Maag CIE North America Lake Superior State University Lawrence Technological University LHP Software Limbach Company, Inc. Link Engineering Co. LTI Information Technology Macomb Community College Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC Makino McNaughton-McKay Electric Company Meritor MEDA Engineering & Technical Services MICCO Construction Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters Michigan State University Michigan Technological University
Midwest Steel Inc. Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America, Inc. Monroe Environmental Corporation Myron Zucker, Inc. Neumann/Smith Architecture Newman Consulting Group, LLC NORR Architects Engineers Planners Northern Industrial Manufacturing Corp. NTH Consultants, Ltd. O’Brien and Gere Oakland University Optech LLC Orbitak International, LLC Original Equipment Suppliers Association Pure Eco Environmental Solutions R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co. Rocket Fiber ROWE Professional Services Company Rumford Industrial Group Ruby+Associates, Inc. SEGULA Technologies Saginaw Valley State University Special Multi Services SSI Talascend, LLC Testing Engineers & Consultants Thermal-Netics TRANE Commercial Systems Troy Chamber of Commerce Trialon TRW Automotive Turner Construction Co. UBS Financial Services—Lott Sheth Farber Group Universal Weatherstrip & Bldg. Supply University of Detroit Mercy University of Michigan University of Michigan-Dearborn U.S. Farathane Corporation voxeljet America Inc. Wade-Trim Walbridge Walker-Miller Energy Services, LLC Wayne State University Western Michigan University Whitehall Industries The Whiting Turner Contracting Company WSP ZF
techcentury V.25 I N.1 Summer 2020
20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450 • Southfield, MI 48076 248–353–0735 • 248–353–0736 fax • esd@esd.org • esd.org
TECHNOLOGY CENTURY® EDITORIAL BOARD
CHAIR: Karyn Stickel, Hubbell, Roth & Clark Sandra Diorka, Delhi Charter Township Utpal Dutta, PhD, FESD, University of Detroit Mercy Linda Gerhardt, PhD, FESD Richard, Hill, PhD, University of Detroit Mercy William A. Moylan, Jr., PhD, PMP, FESD, Eastern Michigan University Matt Roush, Lawrence Technologicial University Larry Sak, PE, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (retired) Rajiv Shah, PE, ACSCM Michael Stewart, Fishman Stewart Intellectual Property Filza H. Walters, FESD, Lawrence Technological University Cyrill Weems, Plante Moran CRESA Yang Zhao, PhD, Wayne State University
ESD 2019-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: Daniel E. Nicholson, PE, General Motors Company VICE PRESIDENT: Kirk T. Steudle, PE, FESD, Econolite TREASURER: Alex F. Ivanikiw, AIA, LEED AP, FESD, Barton Malow Company SECRETARY: Robert Magee, The Engineering Society of Detroit PAST PRESIDENT: Douglas E. Patton, FESD, DENSO International America, Inc. (retired) Paul C. Ajegba, PE, Michigan Department of Transportation Larry Alexander, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau Carla Bailo, Center for Automotive Research Katherine M. Banicki, FESD, Testing Engineers and Consultants Michael J. Cairns, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Sean P. Conway, American Axle and Manufacturing Robert A. Ficano, JD, Wayne County Community College District Farshad Fotouhi, PhD, Wayne State University Alec D. Gallimore, PhD, University of Michigan Lori Gatmaitan, SAE Foundation Malik Goodwin, Goodwin Management Group, LLC Kouhaila G. Hammer, CPA, FESD, Ghafari Associates, LLC Ronald R. Henry, AIA, NCARB, Sachse Construction Marc Hudson, Bamboo Detroit Leo C. Kempel, PhD, FESD, Michigan State University Scott Penrod, Walbridge Robert A. Richard, DTE Energy Bill Rotramel, AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc. William J. Vander Roest, PE, ZF TRW (Retired) Terry J. Woychowski, FESD, Caresoft Global
TECHNOLOGY CENTURY STAFF PUBLISHER: MANAGING EDITOR: EDITOR:
Robert Magee, Executive Director Nick Mason, Director of Operations Susan Thwing
Postmaster, please send changes to: ESD, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076. Technology Century® (ISSN 1091-4153 USPS 155-460), also known as TechCentury, is published by The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD). Periodical postage paid at Southfield, MI, and at additional mailing offices. The authors, editors, and publisher will not accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made in this publication. The publisher makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Advertisements in TechCentury for products, services, courses, and symposia are published with a caveat emptor (buyer beware) understanding. The authors, editors, and publisher do not imply endorsement of products, nor quality, validity or approval of the educational material offered by such advertisements. ©2020 The Engineering Society of Detroit.
Publication
NOTES Karyn Stickel Associate, Hubbell, Roth & Clark
As I write this, we are in the midst of an unprecedented disruption and uncertainty from the coronavirus, which spread across the country. I would like to thank the many engineers, scientists and technical professionals—many of whom are members of ESD—whose expertise and talent is enabling our world to meet the challenge presented by COVID-19. As I follow the news, I see several of the topics covered in previous issues being put into action, including the use of virtual diagnostics to help slow the spread of disease. As engineers and scientists, we must continue to push the limits of research to continue to provide protections for the public. In this issue, we feature articles on the topic of transportation, beginning with an article on the autonomous taxi program developed by a partnership with Lawrence Tech, Hyundai Mobis, and Yandex. We also include a story on MTU’s research into mobility in unstructured environments. We veer away from our mobility focus to highlight how ESD members have evolved and adapted during this unusual time. Bruce Burt from Ruby+Associates offers tips on “Maintaining Quality with a Remote Workforce”—a important consideration during this time. Finally, we are pleased to present ESD’s 2020 Construction & Design Award winners.
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ESD President’s Message
ENGINEERING A FOUNDATION FOR 125 YEARS Building a solid foundation. Making parts work together. Staying strong, being supportive and exhibiting longevity. Engineering a better way. Those descriptors can apply to both the recipients of The Engineering Society of Detroit’s 2020 Construction and Design Award recipients highlighted in this issue, and to ESD itself. First, congratulations to the winners. You have demonstrated—as individuals, teams and companies, the highest level of design capabilities using both the latest in modern technology and the lessons from historical knowledge of how construction works. We applaud you! But, accolades and admiration must also go to ESD. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, ESD has been the past of Detroit’s solid foundation and is the vision of its future. As an association representing the vast variety of engineering specialties—from civil engineering to mechanical to automotive to environmental and more—ESD has been a building block of support for Detroit since 1895 and has been a part of what makes it great every step of the way. That could not be more evident during the recent COVID-19 shutdown of our state. With compassion and forethought, ESD took quick and inventive measures to continue to keep members informed, to keep learning opportunities moving, and to, maybe most important, stay in touch with support and outreach during the recent pandemic crisis. The plans have changed for when we will be presenting the Construction and Design honorees with their awards. But built upon a solid foundation of effective change, and ‘rolling with the flow’ when necessary, just like it’s done for 125 years—the tradition of awarding excellence and supporting excellence in engineering will continue. Solid, strong, intuitive and inventive—that’s ESD and its membership. Happy anniversary, ESD! Daniel E. Nicholson, PE President, The Engineering Society of Detroit Vice President, Global Electrification, Controls, Software & Electronics General Motors Company
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In the News OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AND U-M DEARBORN WIN E-CHALLENGE COMPETITION
LAWRENCE TECH NAMED NUMBER ONE PRIVATE COLLEGE
Innovative ideas on energy management earned two Michigan schools, Oakland University and the University of Michigan–Dearborn, top spots in the E-Challenge Competition. Teams from both schools developed comprehensive energy management plans demonstrating a high level of commitment to reduce energy waste on their campuses. The E-Challenge Competition, held in partnership with DTE Energy and The Engineering Society of Detroit, recognizes and supports continuous energy improvement and sustainability at Michigan colleges and universities. The program also provides students an opportunity to work alongside university staff to develop innovative energy management plans along with the chance to be awarded financial incentives and scholarships. The 2020 competition was launched in October 2019, and colleges and universities had until November 30, 2019, to submit an application. Plans were due by April 30, 2020, and were judged by a panel of energy-efficiency experts. Six teams submitted energy management plans for their campus including: Lake Superior State University, Oakland University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan, University of MichiganDearborn and Wayne State University. “Though the competition for the top two spots was strong, Oakland University, and the University of Michigan – Dearborn provided plans that demonstrated a high level of commitment to energy management on campus,” said Nichole Becker, Principal Energy Manager at DTE Energy. “They provided a thorough analysis of their current performance, and put forth aggressive, yet realistic, energy efficiency goals that included a comprehensive plan for achieving them.” The two winning schools were awarded a spot in DTE’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program to support the implementation of their plans. Student team members at each university will also receive a scholarship. “DTE’s SEM program is a long-term approach to instilling and promoting energy management best practices,” said Patrick Ryan, Principal Supervisor at DTE Energy. “It guides customers to manage energy use with a focus on changing business practices and obtaining commitment from executive management, facility management, and facility staff to reduce energy waste and improve energy efficiency.” The winners will be recognized during the Michigan Energy Efficiency Conference & Exhibition on Tuesday, October 20 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The conference is hosted by DTE Energy and The Engineering Society of Detroit.
Lawrence Technological University is the No. 1 private university in the Detroit area in terms of the value of its education, according to a new study by the New York City-based financial technology company SmartAsset. SmartAsset considered tuition, student living costs, scholarship and grant offerings, student retention rates, and starting salary for new graduates in making its rankings. The figures came from the U.S. Department of Education, private education foundations, and salary analysis companies. Said Lawrence Tech president Virinder Moudgil: “Like so many other surveys and rankings, the figures from SmartAsset show once again that a Lawrence Tech education is a smart investment. Our graduates are in demand in a wide variety of growing career fields, occupations that help make the world a better place.” More information about Lawrence Tech can be found at ltu.edu.
Myles Badour
Evan Fredline
Jason Hoffman
RUBY+ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS Myles Badour, PE has been promoted to the position of Project Manager. Badour has been with Ruby since 2016, and his project experience has ranged from the awardwinning Mackinac Bridge Paint Platforms project to work for automotive and nuclear plant clients. Evan Fredline has been elevated to Engineer II level, He has worked on a diverse number of projects including a sports dome renovation, a university student union expansion and a high-rise project. Jason Hoffman has been promoted to BIM Technician II. Hoffman joined the Ruby team officially in 2017 and is a valuable member of Ruby’s BIM development team, contributing his skills primarily to automotive projects for various clients. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 5
In Memoriam
ENGINEERING LEADER:
John G. Petty, FESD 1938–2020
E
ngineering Society of Detroit Past President and Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award Recipient John G. Petty passed away on January 23, 2020. He was the society’s first African-American president, and he served on the ESD and Rackham Engineering Foundation boards of directors for years. He was also a member of the Lawrence Technical University board of trustees. “John was an exemplary individual who made a significant impact on the Detroit engineering community,” said Robert Magee, ESD Executive Director. “John was extremely active in the community, as well as a prominent engineer, and his wisdom, generosity and kindness will be greatly missed.” John, who earned his mechanical engineering degree from Lawrence Tech in 1965, spent most of his career working at defense contractors in the Detroit area, including Williams International and General Dynamics, where he was lead engineer on the innovative turbine engine that powers the U.S. Army’s main battle tank. “John was more than a great engineer. He was a fine gentleman who cared deeply about people, society, and the consequences of decisions. On the TechCentury editorial board, we could always count on John for thoughtful and frank perspectives on a wide range of issues,” said Thomas M. Doran, PE, FESD, retired Principal/Vice President, at Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. and past TechCentury Editorial Board chair. Notably, John started working in the field before his graduation, first in 1963 with the engineering design firm G. L. Bowen Co., and then, in 1964, with Williams International, where he helped develop and analyze gas turbine engines for both aerospace and automotive applications. In 1973, he joined General Dynamics Land Systems with project engineering responsibility for the 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine proposed to power the U.S. Army’s Main Battle Tank, which was then undergoing its initial design and development. During his 30-year tenure he held many other positions of high responsibility, including ethics program director for all General Dynamics locations worldwide. A longtime member of ESD, he belonged to the ESD College of Fellows and served on the Fellows Executive 6 | TechCentury | Summer 2020
Committee. He received both the ESD Distinguished Service Award and the Harold Slaight Ellington ESD Leadership Award. In 2006, he earned ESD’s highest honor, the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award.
“John was more than a great engineer. He was a fine gentleman who cared deeply about people.”
In Memoriam
IN MEMORIAM With deep gratitude for their participation and service, The Engineering Society of Detroit acknowledges the passing of the following members:
F. MICHAEL FAUBERT,
PhD, PE, FESD
Faubert And Associates LLC Retired, VP Engineering, DTE Energy Technologies President, ESD Foundation, 1998-2005 ESD Board of Directors, ex officio ESD College of Fellows Executive Committee ESD College of Fellows Distinguished Service Award, 1997 and 2005 Finance Committee Bylaws Committee Nominating Committee Education and Professional Activities Board Member since 1973
THOMAS J. FELTRIN Retired, Engineer, General Dynamics Land Systems Member since 1994
HOWARD F. SIMS ,
FAIA
Founder, Sims Design Group Associates (Sims-Varner) Member since 1971
REINHOLD M. TISCHLER ,
FESD
Retired, Rockwell Automotive/Burroughs/NuKote Intl. President, ESD Board of Directors, 1982-1983 ESD Board of Directors ESD College of Fellows ESD Council of Past Presidents Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year Award, 1970 Member since 1967
RICHARD C. VIINIKAINEN ,
PE
Retired, Detroit Edison Co. Member since 1964
PAUL G. HENDRICKSON,
PE
Retired, Associate Broker, Century 21/Unity Real Estate Senior Engineers Council Member since 1961
HENRY A. NICKOL ,
FESD
Retired, VP Vehicle Operations, Ford Motor Co. ESD College of Fellows Member since 1968
JOHN G. PETTY ,
FESD
Retired, Director, General Dynamics Land Systems Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award, 2006 President, ESD Board of Directors, 1995-1996 ESD Board of Directors ESD Foundation Board of Directors Rackham Engineering Foundation Board ESD College of Fellows ESD Past President’s Council ESD College of Fellows Executive Committee Distinguished Service Award Harold Slaight Ellington ESD Leadership Award, 2009 TechCentury Editorial Board/ESD Publication Committee Member since 1979
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 7
Upcoming Events
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT COURSES ONLINE LIVE-INSTRUCTOR FE/PE EXAM REVIEW COURSES Are you ready to set yourself apart? Adding PE initials after your name provides many benefits including WE ARE a higher salary, faster career advancement and the MOVING OUR ability to sign and seal contracts and drawings. COURSES For over 75 years, ESD has helped thousands ONLINE of engineers pass the State licensing exam. ESD’s review courses will prepare you to pass the exam on your first try. You’ll learn in a small online setting from expert instructors who have first-hand knowledge of the course material. For details or to register for the review courses, visit esd.org or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
FALL 2020
Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE) for Civil, Electrical Power, Environmental and Mechanical
Courses begin in August 2020. Please check online at esd.org for more details as they emerge. Contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119, for more information.
Courses begin in August 2020. Please check esd.org for more details as they emerge. Contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119, for more information.
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) for Civil, Electrical and Mechanical
FALL 2020
ONLINE PE CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES Michigan professional engineers who want to NEW! enhance their personal and professional growth‚ or ONLINE who need continuing education hours—can check IN FALL out ESD’s new, online three and four-hour courses. 2020 Current PEs can take ESD review course classes on an à la carte basis to satisfy state requirements. A broad range of topics will be offered. The instructor-led courses are taught by academic and industry professionals. For a class schedule and to register, visit esd.org, or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
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GOLF OUTING ESD ANNUAL GOLF OUTING AUGUST 31, 2020
Come out for a day of networking and fun in support of engineering! Outing proceeds help outreach and educational efforts such as the ESD Girls in Engineering Academy, the Michigan Regional Future City Competition for middle schoolers, ESD Student Chapters at 14 Michigan universities, and scholarship programs for high school and college students. Register early as this popular event sells out each year. Don’t miss it! Registration cost: $275 individuals; $165 senior individuals; $1,000 foursome. The golf outing will take place at Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton. For more information, to register or for sponsorship opportunities, visit esd.org or contact Heather Lilley at hlilley@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 120.
GOLD AWARD RECEPTION & RECOGNITION SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
Join ESD’s Affiliate Societies in honoring the best of the best. 5:30–8 p.m. in Southfield. $60 individual tickets through August 31; $75 thereafter. Visit esd.org or contact Elana Shelef at 248-353-0735, ext. 119 or eshelef@esd.org to attend the event.
Upcoming Events 125 YEARS: A MILESTONE TO REMEMBER JOB FAIR “ENGINEERS GET HIRED” TECHNICAL JOB FAIR OCTOBER 2, 2020
Employers: Find the talent your organization needs! ESD job fairs regularly draw hundreds of engineers, technology professionals and recent college graduates. Join some of Michigan’s leading companies and meet candidates looking for full and part-time positions, and internships. Register by September 22 and receive a complimentary job posting. For exhibit space contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152. Job seekers: Connect with future employers and discover hundreds of opportunities! Whether you are a seasoned professional, a recent graduate or an in-between careers job seeker, you’ll find your next position at ESD’s Engineers Get Hired Job Fair. ESD’s job fair is your best opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from leading engineering and technology companies. Past companies have included Altair Engineering, DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company, Gala & Associates, Ghafari, ITC, Link Engineering, MDOT, Optimal, Peter Basso, TEC Group, Tetra Tech, Solutions Group, and many more. The job fair will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from 2–7 p.m. Visit EngineersGetHired.org for more information or to register.
ENERGY CONFERENCE 2020 MICHIGAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION OCTOBER 20, 2020
In its 23rd year, this conference, hosted by DTE Energy and ESD, the only one of its kind in Michigan, is designed to educate small to large commercial and industrial businesses on technology, products, and services that will assist them in successful energy management. This year’s conference will feature: % A keynote presentation during luncheon % Five educational tracks offering informative 30-minute presentations % Dozens of exhibitors offering energy-related products and services % Major awards recognizing energy efficiency initiatives % A Ride-and-Drive featuring a fleet of various vehicles Registration cost is $90 for ESD Members; non-members $105 or join and attend the conference at a discounted rate of $160 (new, first-time members only). The conference will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich. For more information or to register online, please visit esd.org or call us at 248-353-0735 to register by phone. To sponsor the event or to exhibit, please contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
This year, The Engineering Society of Detroit celebrates its 125th anniversary. To honor the occasion, ESD is planning a series of events, details for which are still being finalized due to change in plans because of COVID-19. Look for dates, times and more details in future issues of TechCentury as well as at esd.org.
Diamond Luncheon
This special luncheon will bring together the Society’s longestserving members (40+ years) for an afternoon of camaraderie, retrospection, and great food. Eligible members will receive their invitations once conditions for gathering allow.
ESD Annual Dinner
ESD’s Annual Dinner will be an extra-special event this year, celebrating the 125th anniversary of our founding in 1895. Details will be posted on our website as they emerge. Visit esd.org for updates.
GET INVOLVED 2021 FUTURE CITY COMPETITION
We are currently recruiting teams for the 2021 Future City Competition, which will be virtual for the first time. Contact Allison Marrs at 248-353-0735, ext. 121, or amarrs@esd.org to find out how to volunteer.
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ESD Adjusts to the Times
I
f there’s one thing engineers know how to do it’s make things work. So when the stay-at-home order was announced—with employee, membership, and family and friends’ safety in mind—we looked at ways to keep the ESD mission moving, and safe. Here are some updates: % We developed a new series of one-hour online educational sessions that were extremely popular, often selling out. These expert-led sessions were complimentary for ESD members. Thank you to all of our members who volunteered to present and share their expertise. % ESD’s high school and college scholarship program will continue. Scholarships will be awarded this summer to help foster the next generation of engineering talent. % The fourth year of our Girls in Engineering Academy gets underway this July with a new, dynamic online format. This program is important to our middle school students as we provide them with STEM enrichment education and inspire them to become engineers. % ESD’s Winter FE and PE Review Course program transitioned to an online platform so attendees
This year’s Future City Competition involves building a city on the moon. For the first time, the national competition will be virtual. We are still working out details for the Michigan competition.
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ESD’s Girls in Engineering Academy will be virtual this year, with an active-learning curriculum that girls can do at home, taught by instructors via the Zoom platform.
could successfully complete the program during the stay-at-home order. ESD’s fall FE and PE Review Courses will be available online, which will enable us to extend our reach throughout the state. % We are currently registering teams for the 2021 Future City Competition. ESD has provided this program, which increases middle school students motivation and excitement about STEM, for 26 years. This year’s theme will involve building a city on the moon! % We will celebrate our 125th anniversary with events planned for late fall and early next year. Our Annual Dinner promises to be a one-of-a-kind event to mark the century and quarter since our founding in 1895, and we will have a very special 125th Anniversary Diamond Luncheon for 40-plus-year members. Details are still being developed as we monitor the situation surrounding the coronavirus. We will deliver invitations to members by mail when we have a date. % As of the time of publication, ESD’s offices are still closed for visitors, and we are not renting our facility. When we do open back up, we are planning to have new safety and cleaning procedures to keep our members healthy and safe. Look for details for all of these activities and events on our website and also in the fall edition of TechCentury.
ESD CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARDS 2020 T
he recipients of the 2020 ESD Construction & Design Awards are diverse in their project focus, but singular in their expertise to use creativity, modern technology and stellar engineering teamwork to create impressive foundations for research, business, and development. Evaluated by an impartial panel of industry judges, the Awards are among the premier recognitions
awarded to members of the construction industry and their projects. These awards are unique in that they honor the three primary members of the building team—owners, designers and constructors—and recognize outstanding achievement and innovative use of technology. The awards were conceived 46 years ago to encourage elevation of the standard of practice in the construction industry.
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Michigan State University Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building OWNER: Michigan
State University & Ellenzweig Contributing Designer CONTRACTOR: Clark Rockford Joint Venture DESIGNER: SmithGroup
The Michigan State University (MSU) Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building (ISTB) is a biomedical research building developed by MSU to support their investment in the Global Impact Initiative (GIi) to recruit more than 100 new faculty investigators. The GIi will help accelerate finding solutions to the recognized Grand Challenges of Engineering and allow MSU to aggressively pursue big ideas, innovation, and global impact. MSU elected to repurpose the design of the recently completed Grand Rapids Research Center (GRRC) to this site on campus. This new 165,589-ft² modern building— designed for interdisciplinary research and technology— consists of a wet bench and computational research space; research support space such as animal care and imaging; and offices, conference, and common areas to foster collaboration. The facility is configured as a seven-story building above ground with six occupied floors and a seventh
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floor mechanical penthouse. The basic organization of the building was conceived with carefully zoned building blocks to support the primary goal of the project: a research block consisting of laboratory and lab support spaces in a 1:1 ratio, with a rodent animal facility on the sixth level. and a parallel office block, which includes offices for the principal investigators and administrative support staff. The two blocks are joined by a sky-lit common atrium space with horizontal and vertical connections providing natural light to the researcher write-up areas and open office administrative spaces. The MSU, Clark Rockford. and SmithGroup teams worked collaboratively as a single team from project inception through occupancy to assure that the stated construction budget of $73 million and the target schedule were met successfully. For MSU, speed to market was paramount, which made an aggressive schedule a major driver. This
2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARD WINNER brought the need for early collaboration and innovative delivery methods to get in the ground quickly. The first challenge was to replace the parking for the adjacent clinic operations that was being removed due to the new building. To expedite, SmithGroup worked directly with Clark Rockford for an innovative delivery approach, which culminated in providing a 3D model of the grading directly to subcontractors. Design and documentation efforts were completed in six months, compared to the 13 months required for the GRRC. The ISTB was completed on time and on budget. The project is a model of cost efficiency. ISTB translated the successful GRRC design from a dense urban context to a major university campus with modest refinements to the ground floor in response to the academic setting and on the research floors and vivarium to address specific research requirements. The ISTB refinements have resulted in a 55% efficient building, including the atrium. A key factor in the project was meeting energy efficiency goals. Prior to this project, Michigan State University embarked on a path to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHGs) by 45% by this year. As part of this effort. MSU has made significant progress in lowering its buildings· energy use intensity (EUI). Also. code-related (ASHRAE) and legislated (LEED) mandates required levels of energy efficiency as well. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges for the design team was to create an energy efficient building within budget while also considering the type of building and activities occurring within the facility. Research laboratories are some of the most energy-intense facilities in the world, especially facilities with live animals. Demand ventilation, digital building controls, variable frequency drives, LED lighting and daylight harvesting, and a high-performance building envelope are strategies that helped to achieve the sustainability
goals while meeting the intended function. Equipment was considered not only for its initial costs but for life-cycle costs that have reasonable savings with long-term operations. With these energy goals established at the forefront of the project, the design team knew that the GRRC, and therefore the ISTB, had to be highly efficient buildings with low carbon footprints, and they were tasked with reducing energy consumption to 30% better than what the code mandates. The design team knew that they had to design a system that met all energy requirements as well as the construction budget. Familiar elements had to be used in innovative ways. Throughout the design of ISTB, the team was conscious of interior materials, choosing those that have the least impact on indoor air quality. They also maximized the ability to rely on natural light with extensive curtain wall and atrium skylights, designed to maximize light and minimize energy loss. The building’s electrical design includes sophisticated lighting controls to minimize electrical consumption. The ISTB is projected to be 72% carbon neutral. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 13
University of Michigan, Biological Sciences Building OWNER: Regents
of the University of Michigan DESIGNER: SmithGroup & Ennead Architects CONTRACTOR: Barton Malow The University of Michigan identified the need for an advanced integrated science facility. Ennead Architects developed a sophisticated and unique building exterior. SmithGroup outlined a cutting-edge interior design for research labs, classrooms, and museum space. Early on, it was evident that the details of the facade required special attention. The team developed a procurement plan that helped control costs and keep the project under budget while delivering a one-of-a-kind design. Only three manufacturers in the world have the capability to construct the large-format curved and flat glass specified in the unique design. The curved glass was procured from Barcelona, Spain. The selected 77,000 ft² of terra cotta was sourced from Munich, Germany. Incorporating these international vendors required a high level of coordination among all team members to ensure both quality and efficiency. Multiple cross-continental travels took place over a one-year period. Representatives from SmithGroup, Barton Malow, Ennead, and the University were present
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for each trip to Spain and Germany to review early samples and mock-ups for material selections and then to inspect the glass and terra cotta. Over 100 large-format glass panels of various dimensions and 38,500 individual terra cotta tile shapes were analyzed. The team made over ten trips abroad to make sure the specs were met and that no defects were present. The components were then shipped to a prefabrication facility in Indianapolis where they were inspected and approved by the same quality control team of Barton Malow, SmithGroup, and Ennead, as well as a third-party forensic facade expert. The materials were then assembled and transferred to the site for construction. Every component arrived for installation without issue. This proactive approach to quality control and the ongoing communication among all team members ensured that the expectations for quality and schedule were met through every phase and at every location. The BSB team faced its share of project challenges. In utilizing specialty building materials from across
2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARD WINNER the globe and incorporating complicated interior finishes amid an active college campus. it was imperative that the project team remain on the same page from project start to finish. With a cohesive approach, the team remained on schedule and under budget at $261 million and successfully completed a world-class interactive space to learn, explore, and experience science at every level. While the facade presents the Biological Sciences Building with a unique identity on the University of Michigan’s campus, it is what’s housed inside that makes the BSB stand out among other academic facilities across the country. Within the three towers, the building’s spaces are woven together to offer its visitors a new look into the world of science. School children are welcomed by giant mastodons where they learn about the history of our world in the Natural History Museum. Undergraduate students frequent the building for classes that offer an active-learning experience. World-class researchers accompanied by graduate students conduct studies and exploration of many different disciplines from neuroscience to paleontology. Developing the plans for BSB required executing multiple project types into one building. In addition to the highly functional wet-bench research laboratories, interactive classrooms, and museum spaces, it was important to create a visually engaging environment for all occupants and visitors. The complexity of the building comes from the multitude of uses and the constraints that come from designing in a pre-existing campus where chilled water and steam are produced in district plants. The frog rooms were designed to operate at a room setpoint between 54 ºF and 77 ºF, which couldn’t be achieved yearround with plant-chilled water. A booster chiller was required to create lower temperature water to meet the setpoint requirements of those users. For frog and aquatic rooms, controls were installed that could increase ventilation based on the need to dehumidify. Insect-proof grilles and door seals were required for rooms that house insects.
Safety during construction was a key factor. Shoehorned between other educational facilities meant workers had to be cognizant about student and pedestrian traffic. It’s estimated that 10,000 people passed near the site each day. Deliveries were also a challenge throughout the project. Noting this, the project team had to be vigilant about maintaining a safe, secure border, and it did so by working closely with U-M to implement a coordination plan to ensure student and staff safety, and minimize interruption to the surrounding campus. Internally, every worker was required to go through a 90-minute orientation that detailed the scope of the project and reinforced key safety directives prior to entering the job site. Environmental consciousness was also important. With occasional flooding in the area and the regional stormwater detention basin below the adjacent Palmer Drive parking structures at capacity. The site goal was no increase in stormwater flow for all storms up to and including the 100-year design storm of 5.11 in., which exceeded the University’s stormwater treatment requirements. The solution addresses an increase of approximately 17% impervious surface relative to previous conditions for both water quality and water quantity. For water quantity control, new underground stormwater infiltration systems were constructed in the new courtyard north of the proposed BSB building and below the primary campus walkway south of the building. These systems consist of prefabricated chambers in a drainage aggregate base and backfill that provides approximately 26,000 ft³ of volume storage. The existing soils below the underground detention systems have high infiltration rates. allowing the increased stormwater runoff to naturally infiltrate and thereby reducing the overall runoff volume from the site by over 5,000 ft³ during a two-year rain event and over 14,000 ft³ during a 100-year rain event. Between the energy conservation measures and many other sustainable features, the building obtained LEED Gold Certification. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 15
AUCH Construction New Headquarters OWNER: AUCH
DESIGNER: HED
Construction
CONTRACTOR: AUCH
Construction
The AUCH Headquarters building project is a model of integrated project delivery. In this project, the owner, contractor, and architect worked together in seamless and continually dynamic interactions to deliver a building that, more than a headquarters, represents the aspirations of the company and community. To kick off the project, AUCH evoked its 110-year history and its purpose and commitment to deliver a landmark building and a new kind of workplace to serve its next generation of construction leadership. As a well-known, dedicated member of the community, AUCH purchased a long vacant RACER Trust brownfield and committed itself to developing it into a prominent gateway site and catalyst for future development in the city. The new 20,000-ft² AUCH Construction Headquarters leverages AUCH’s desire to promote a more collaborative, interactive workplace culture with their need for a new facility that contributes to the revitalization and renewal of downtown Pontiac.
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The building celebrates construction and the ability of architecture to make basic materials beautiful. The raw materials of construction are on candid display throughout the building, ranging from the aggregate concrete floor in the corridors to the metal transparent scrim ceiling panels in the lobby. Construction is elevated to the level of craft and artistry at moments throughout the building, such as the development of the wood feature wall in the lobby and the sunshade and truss composition of the south facade. AUCH believes in environmentally friendly construction and, therefore, decided to incorporate the LEED principles of building. During design it was determined that the project was to meet or exceed LEED Silver guidelines. To help achieve these guidelines the following was incorporated in the building: % Material/ trash sorting so items can be recycled % Recycled materials were specified and installed (curtain wall materials, gypsum materials, FSC woods, carpets, ceiling tiles)
2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARD WINNER % Low-VOC materials were specified and installed % Special glass systems (coatings were installed on surfaces 2 and 4 of the exterior glass) % Energy efficient HVAC systems (VRF system with a make-up air unit was used) % Lighting controls systems and daylight harvesting systems were used % Energy monitoring systems were incorporated This project was completed on budget and on schedule. Even though AUCH is a well-known builder experienced in construction schedules, the project fell into the category of “the design and construction needs to be completed ASAP.” The company needed to ensure the entire project was completed by April 2018 so they could move in May 2018, before the summer construction crunch season. Their project could not affect their clients’ needs. AUCH determined a 12-month permitting, bidding, construction, and move-in schedule was needed. The construction schedule alone was concentrated to only 10 months. This was a tall order for a 4-acre brownfield site with a 20,000-ft² building. To ensure that the project was completed on time, activities such as pre-ordering of materials directly from the manufacturer, team-approached sequencing schedules, and manpower juggling were required. In addition, the project team understood the importance of making safety everyone’s business. Trade workers were aware of their individual responsibilities; they were part of creating a culture of safety where people look out for one another. This approach resulted in another safe project with 0 incidents on-site, 0 days lost on-site, and a DART Rate of 0. This project generated significant interest in the community due to its prominent location and the high
profile attention it received. AUCH’s headquarters was not to be just another construction company’s office building. It needed to tell a story through different construction techniques and products while helping serve the needs of the Pontiac community. It would be used as an educational tool for students, provide a meeting place for local professional groups, and serve as an active location for construction-related groups. AUCH employed Pontiac residents as apprentices, led building tours, and has hosted presentations to groups from various colleges, universities, and professional groups since opening.
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Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak Emergency Center Expansion OWNER: Beaumont
Health DESIGNER: FreemanWhite and HED CONTRACTOR: Barton Malow Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak Emergency Center is the busiest Emergency Center in Michigan and one of the busiest in the country. Beaumont Health, HED, and Barton Malow developed, designed and constructed an addition and renovation of the new Emergency Center that improves the patient experience and meets growing community needs. The project was a multiphase 100,000-ft² expansion on the west side of campus with a roof-top helipad, and subsequent 50,000-ft² renovations to double the size of the existing emergency department. The project comprised three major phases. Logistics of the project were complicated. New work involved rerouting many key underground utilities. Additionally, the new expansion area required the existing helipad to be relocated, encroached on the existing ambulance bay, and disrupted the main employee entrance. Several mini-phases were required, and a good deal of temporary work was necessary to keep the existing ED operational, the ambulance entrance accessible, and the helipad in use.
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The collaborative efforts of everyone on the team culminated in a successful project that was completed on time and on budget. The Emergency Center Expansion project was completed on budget. Early partnerships with major mechanical and electrical design assist contractors also helped in the budgeting process. Safety was at the forefront of the project. Collaborative engagement in site logistics planning and shutdown coordination was critical to the safety and success of the project. Early on, during schematic design development, Barton Mallow provided preliminary site logistics, prior to going to bid. The team partnered with Beaumont Health to create the best plan for routing patients and staff, traffic, and parking. The City of Royal Oak was also engaged early in the process to ensure they understood the plan, particularly for ambulance traffic. Ultimately, the team maintained 15 phases of patient and staff traffic routing while building adjacent to the occupied Emergency Center and throughout phased renovations.
2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARD WINNER The Beaumont project included a pandemic suite, a group of exam rooms designed to be a large negative pressure area. In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, Beaumont can quarantine a large number of rooms in one area. This pandemic suite included a unique exhaust fan dedicated to the area, specific locking sequence for doors that are tied into the security system, and a unique sequence of controls. The project took the environment into consideration. The team recycled scrap metal and other materials on-site throughout construction. The team altered the campus detention pond, making it deeper and flow slower to the Oakland County Drain, and planted trees around the detention pond. In addition, with the comfort of patients and families in mind, Beaumont partnered with the Detroit Zoo to provide animal-themed artwork and photographs for the Pediatric Emergency Center, including: % Photos with different animal themes in the rooms % Fun facts about the animals % A wall print of zoo animals in the waiting room of the pediatric area Focused on serving the community, this significant expansion and renovation project doubled the size of one of the most visited emergency centers in the country and the only level-1 Trauma Center in Oakland and Macomb Counties. Additionally, the expanded and renovated Emergency Center was recently awarded a $21 million donation to meet the continuing needs of emergency medicine at Royal Oak.
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2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Frank Rewold and Sons Corporate Headquarters OWNER: Frank
Rewold and Son Inc. DESIGNER: Auger Klein Aller Architects Inc. CONTRACTOR: Frank Rewold and Son Inc. Frank Rewold and Sons, Inc. (FRS), a 100-year-old Rochester-based business, found themselves in need of a new headquarters. They continued their dedication to the community of Rochester by developing four acres of downtown real estate that had remained undeveloped due to environmental contaminants from past industrial uses, geotechnical issues, ongoing third-party liability responsibilities, and land-use limitations. There, they built a new 49,000-ft² leading-edge office building overlooking the scenic Paint Creek. Safety was the highest concern for the construction team. Strict safety procedures included additional PPE and third-party monitoring. Site specific safety included safety orientations, tool box talks, pre-task planning, and health and safety checklist reviews. An extensive Due Care Plan, third party monitoring, and inspections were all part of the rigorous safety policy. The construction team logged over 65,000 tradehours without a safety or environmental incident or MIOSHA violation on this project. The project safety plan resulted in no incidents or lost time. 20 | TechCentury | Summer 2020
The significant chlorinated-VOC contamination at the site presented the potential for vapor intrusion and inhalation by human occupants, as well as direct human contact with impacted soil. SME worked closely with the architect and owner to evaluate and design appropriate vapor intrusion controls to prevent exacerbation and potential human health exposure to pre-existing contamination. SME conducted daily field monitoring of construction activities, ambient air conditions, and other due care tasks. After evaluating multiple building design options, an open air, first floor garage concept was chosen. This concept was a strategic design aimed at significantly reducing the amount of enclosed building space and thereby reducing potential human exposure to vapors emanating from the contaminated ground. Sustainability was a consideration throughout the project. While the building is not certified there are many sustainable LEED design features that were incorporated into the project that exemplify the teams commitment to the environment.
2020 CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Ford Central Energy Plant OWNER: DTE
Energy DESIGNER: OPN CONTRACTOR: Walbridge DTE’s Ford Central Energy Plant (CEP) was designed and built to be a significantly cleaner source than the existing infrastructure to generate electricity and distribute chilled water, hot water, and steam to serve buildings at the Ford Research and Engineering Campus. The CEP consists of a new combined heat and power plant and a chilled/hot water plant for the combined generation of power and steam. The CEP project was completed on time. As for safety, during the 478,475 total hours worked, the total recordable incident rate was 1.26, DART Rate was 0, and the lost time incident rate was 0. The CEP uses several environmentally conscious and sustainable components. The building envelope incorporates a vast amount of low-E, energy-efficient glazing to ensure access to natural light and views to the exterior. Increased access to natural light also reduced the demand for electrical lighting fixtures in several of the commonly occupied building areas. LED fixtures were installed where electric lighting was necessary.
Much of the building material was sourced within 500 miles of the project site, lessening the impact of shipping and transportation. The primary palette consists of highly recycled, recyclable, or sustainable materials including precast concrete, and exposed steel structure. Because the structure is exposed in many cases, less finish materials are required, resulting in a lower carbon impact. Substantial design consideration was given to the mechanical and electrical systems, which reduced the overall energy performance by 30% from the baseline for typical buildings of this type. By adding a construction waste management plan, a construction indoor air quality plan and the use of LEED building material, the LEED Gold certification is in process. The Ford Research and Engineering Campus will see significant benefits in air quality when the CHP is fully operational. The area will experience as much as: % 98% reduction in carbon monoxide emissions. % 66% reduction in NOx emissions. % 18% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 21
ENGINEERING IN THE TIME OF COVID:
ESD Members Adapt and Assist
A
s the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in March, Michigan companies, like the rest of the country, began to make adjustments for the safety of employees, clients, students and the community. Members of The Engineering Society of Detroit were quick to adapt. Universities adjusted the learning environment to online courses in order to allow students to safely complete the semester’s work. In addition, university research continued as many learning institutions switched their focus to coronavirus solutions.
Meanwhile, corporate leadership and staff modified their work spaces to remote and Zoom meetings kept the day-to-day work going for many. While some manufacturing facilities closed for safety, most are gearing up or have returned with a new method of safety and operations. At the same time companies with unique technology and research results made adjustments for new uses to do their part. The following stories are just a few examples of how ESD members stepped up in a multitude of effective endeavors.
U-M Delivery Robots Help Restaurants Weather Crisis BY GABE CHERRY
Until the robots rolled up, Korean eatery Miss Kim looked like any other COVID-stilled storefront in downtown Ann Arbor, with chairs upended on tables and hastily scrawled signs papering the windows. Inside, chef and managing partner Ji Hye Kim, a University of Michigan alum, cooks takeout orders. While the restaurant does a brisk carryout business, Kim says she brings in less than half the revenue she did before COVID closed the dining room. Business is booming, however, for the trickle of threewheeled, autonomous REV-1 delivery robots that silently park themselves at Miss Kim’s curb, ready to be loaded with food before they wheel away to pre-programmed destinations. Refraction AI, a University of Michigan startup that began delivering food in late 2019, says its pilot deployment of eight robots is doing four times as many runs since the crisis began. “We can deliver for about half the price of conventional delivery services,” said Matthew JohnsonRoberson, co-founder of Refraction AI and a U-M associate professor of naval architecture and engineering. “We thought of that as a nice benefit for restaurant operators, but we had no idea how important it would become as restaurants struggle to get through the crisis. I’m glad that we’re also able to add some capacity to the delivery infrastructure and help restaurants get more food out to customers.” Refraction AI was co-founded in late 2019 by Johnson-Roberson and mechanical engineering assistant 22 | TechCentury | Summer 2020
Robotic food deliveries have quadrupled.
professor Ramanarayan Vasudevan with the help of U-M’s Office of Technology Transfer. Miss Kim is one of five pilot program restaurants that use the robots for some of their Ann Arbor deliveries. Approximately 500 customers are participating in the pilot; they order food through a custom app. The battery-powered robots have a top speed of about 15 miles per hour and operate mainly in bike lanes. Their low speed enables them to use inexpensive camera-based navigation systems, making their cost feasible for a delivery service. While ordering food for delivery has been touted as a way to support local businesses in a time of crisis, Kim points out that traditional delivery services charge restaurants hefty fees that eat up as much as 30% of per-order revenue. She says the REV-1 deliveries provide an easy alternative that’s also safer and easier for her employees. Refraction AI has installed UV sterilizing lights in the robots’ food compartments, and now wipes down the robots between deliveries, but the delivery system is otherwise unchanged from the restaurants’ perspective. “We had to educate [human] drivers about not entering the restaurant, about how to do contact-free pick-up, all that stuff,” Kim said. “With a robot, they pull up, we drop the food in, close it, and it’s on its way.” End users like Jessica Sendra say the REV-1s have been a valuable option as the COVID pandemic has stretched delivery networks to their limit. Sendra has been getting groceries delivered through Refraction AI’s recently launched partnership with Ann Arbor market The Produce Station. “It’s really hard to get a [grocery] delivery slot from anybody right now, so when I heard they were looking for people, I said ‘yes, definitely,’” Sendra said. “They sterilize everything and you just flip open the lid, pull out your groceries, close it and it goes on its way. It’s very easy.” For Refraction AI, however, adapting to the age of COVID hasn’t been so seamless. The company has had to rethink the logistics of its entire business to keep running. The staff is building robots as fast as it can and Johnson-Roberson says it has been a challenge for its 15 employees to adapt and keep up.
Assembly workers at Refraction AI’s space in downtown Ann Arbor now work tag-team style, with only one employee working on a robot at any given time. The two employees—called “tele-ops drivers”— that monitor the robots via a wireless data connection now work from home, using a remote setup that enables them to take control of the delivery vehicles if they get into a situation that their autonomous systems can’t navigate. Johnson-Roberson, for his part, is immersed in a world of video chats, as the very hands-on business of building and operating robots is increasingly done electronically. “Building robots is an incredibly physical task,” he said. “You’re always making changes, testing, trying something else. Trying to keep that iteration cycle going remotely is a challenge. But it also forces us to really lean into all this technology that we’ve created. We’re finding that we don’t necessarily have to lay people off or slow down, we just need to find new ways of doing things. I think we’ve been pretty successful at that, and I hope we’re helping our customers do the same.” Refraction AI has turned to Roush Industries to ramp up production; Roush has brought in a dedicated crew to build the robots’ carbon fiber exterior shells with the goal of having 25 robots on the road by mid-summer. Those robots will serve more restaurants in Ann Arbor, and also deliver for the company’s recently launched grocery delivery service. Johnson-Roberson sees his role helping businesses through the crisis as just the beginning of a new era of robots improving life for us humans. “In this crisis, we’re all seeing how some are putting themselves at risk so that others can enjoy the benefits,” he said. “I’m hoping that we can build models that are more ethical, more sustainable and more just, and I hope that this is a moment that catalyzes roboticists to play a role in that by trying as hard as they can to push the technology from the lab out there into the real world.” Gabe Cherry is the Senior Writer & Assistant Magazine Editor for the University of Michigan College of Engineering.
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Michigan Technological University When COVID-19 hit, delays in testing for the virus were a key challenge. Rural and remote regions like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were hard pressed to get enough tests for patients. Immediately, Michigan Tech partnered with local hospitals to begin receiving and testing patient samples on campus to save doctors and health care providers at least 24 hours, and up to a week, of waiting for COVID-19 test results. The lab had the capacity to run 40 samples per hour on two machines, and the team eventually expanded with more equipment and staffing. “The safety of our community and our lab technicians is most important,” said Dave Reed, vice president for research at Michigan Tech. “We live in small, tight-knit communities in the UP and we want to take care of each other and Michigan Tech can help by ensuring people get timely and accurate COVID-19 test results.” Rep. Greg Markkanen and Sen. Ed McBroom helped initiate the lab testing facility and advocated for test sites in the U.P. “The people of the Copper Country and Western U.P. want to be able to take care of their own,” said Markkanen, adding that Michigan Tech’s testing facility eases the strain on small communities’ health resources. “The Herculean effort of the folks at Michigan Tech will meet our communities’ needs to get tests and results quicker, so that health care workers can do their jobs and help monitor this crisis.” Time is of the essence—and so is accuracy. The Michigan state labs have helped verify the accuracy and
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protocols in the Michigan Tech facility. “Quick testing for an illness like the coronavirus is critical to helping treat patients who have caught the disease and to help stop the spread,” said McBroom. “With results often taking more than a week as tests traveled downstate, it was apparent that this would be a problem for the Upper Peninsula. I’m proud of the professionals at Michigan Tech who recognized this issue, developed a plan for a lab on campus and turned it into a reality.” In addition to lab testing, Michigan Tech is also working on vaccine technology and technology to clean personal protection equipment (PPE).
DENSO DENSO employees—across three of its locations in Michigan and North Carolina—joined the effort to battle COVID-19 by taking on projects intended to protect health care workers. DENSO employees used their expertise in engineering, design, molding and manufacturing to support special customer and partner projects to produce respirator components. While a temporary shift in production, the DENSO team was able to produce components to help increase the number of respirators in circulation during the pandemic.
Earlier in March, DENSO’s engineering and sales teams, located at its North American headquarters in Southfield, Michigan, also worked to support a customer request to bring powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) from design to production in just under 25 days. About 200 DENSO employees worked on this project, and the team – from global leadership, to DENSO’s design and manufacturing engineers, production experts, and security guard personnel—came together to collaborate with the customer at an accelerated speed.
DTE Energy From helping customers facing financial insecurity with their utility bills to fully activating the DTE Energy Foundation and its nonprofit partners to supply food, shelter and other basic needs – DTE immediately stepped in to assist. Teaming up with area businesses and organizations to help the city’s youth, the DTE Energy Foundation, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Kellogg Foundation, Quicken Loans, General Motors and The Skillman Foundation worked to put a computer with high-speed internet, along with technical support, into the hands of every Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) K-12 student before the school year
closed. The Connected Futures Initiative addresses the digital divide that was made even clearer throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The program was off the ground in three weeks. The school district estimates that only 10 percent of its students have access to both a device and internet access. When schools were closed in early March, this issue was even clearer as students could not take advantage of online learning or connect with teachers on video chats. The program will benefit the entire family as well: students can learn while their families will be able to easily search and apply for jobs.
Dow Chemical Company Isolation gowns are among the most used and needed personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this critical need, Dow Chemical Co. collaborated with nine partners across industries to develop and donate 100,000 isolation gowns to help frontline workers in Texas, Louisiana and Mexico. The end-product, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Level 2 gowns, required design, testing, package development and a supply chain. In this case, each collaborator brought
their unique expertise to the table, all donating valuable time and resources to the project. The gown is made with polyethylene nonwoven coated with a layer of polyethylene film made with resin donated by Dow. Other partners included: Brazil-based nonwoven fabrics company Fitesa; Troy-based Cadillac Products Packaging Co.; Minnesota-based 3M and Hickory, N.C.-based Shurtape Technologies LLC; Canadian mobility company Magna International, Inc.; Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont; Burton-based Landaal Packaging Systems; and Canadian firm Plastixx FFS Technologies.
These are just some of the ways ESD membership stepped up to the plate as the pandemic hit Michigan. Kudos to all efforts! esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 25
MAINTAINING QUALITY with a Remote Workforce BY BRUCE BURT
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s it turns out, engineering firms were in a much better position than many businesses to weather the restrictions on mobility and personal contact in place during the pandemic. Several industry polls suggest that staff utilization and efficiency at engineering firms actually increased with the shift to a remote workforce. The proliferation of collaborative software and other software tools that facilitate remote teaming no doubt contributed to this productivity increase. Our firm already had many of the necessary hardware, software and infrastructural tools in place, so transitioning to a completely remote workplace was a surprisingly seamless process. One aspect of the transition, however, that gave us concern was maintaining project quality. How can a firm ensure the same level of oversight and review with a process that evolved through a culture of daily interactions? After some brainstorming and a review of our existing resources, we adapted our communication and quality assurance processes to meet the challenges of our remote work environment, while keeping the high 26 | TechCentury | Summer 2020
standards of quality essential to retaining clients and maintaining our strong corporate brand. When faced with the sudden closure of our office due to the pandemic, it certainly helped to already have in place a quality process that was adaptable to the challenges of remote teaming and oversight. The basics of our quality process involve a Go/No Go review, Project Kickoff, Project Executive oversight, development of a project specific review process, and establishment of regular check-ins, with the client as well as the internal team. Fundamental project execution did not change, but new tools were necessary to facilitate the implementation of some elements. One key component for transitioning to remote teams was a greater reliance on collaboration software. There are many products available, but Ruby had already begun a transition to Microsoft Teams, and the sudden conversion to a remote workforce rapidly accelerated its firm-wide adoption. We transitioned not only projectspecific teams, but our management team and other initiative-focused teams to this collaborative software. For instance, we converted our Quality Team and Technology Team to MS Teams and created a “COVID-19
“THE CHANGES HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR FIRM AND ITS QUALITY PRACTICES.” Return to Office Team.” Our weekly manpower allocation meeting was held via videoconference, and we found that it functioned better than when we all huddled together in a conference room. In addition to these prosaic uses, our social chat channel addressed important water cooler conversations like the NFL draft and Netflix viewing recommendations. Maintaining the social aspects of our corporate culture was important to maintaining a semblance of normalcy and social interaction in uncertain times. We even managed to maintain our corporate Happy Hour, which we conducted weekly through a Zoom video conference (BYOB). What do these things have to do with quality? A lot, actually. An engaged, dedicated and cohesive workforce is critical to the long-term success of any organization. When there is trust, transparency and friendship among team members, there is often a shared sense of belonging and drive to excel. We also looked for ways to understand how the varying personalities and communication styles of our staff affected remote work. Each staff member had already taken a personality assessment, and with their permission the results were shared with other staff members. Those that like getting straight to the point became aware of co-workers who might be off-put with that approach and who appreciated a more informal initiation in dialogue—like a chat or text versus a video call. Most successful teams consist of varying personality types and understanding these personality types, absent of verbal cues lacking in a remote setting, is important in minimizing conflict and maximizing teamwork. Other software was also critical to our remote transition. We increased our reliance on Bluebeam Revu. Far from being merely a PDF converter, Bluebeam Revu possesses powerful collaboration capabilities. Rather than relying on marking up large format paper drawings (difficult to produce in a home office), we more fully utilized the markup tools within Bluebeam Revu. Bluebeam Studio Sessions allowed multiple users to concurrently mark up a cloud-based set of drawings. The resulting “check prints” were easily saved in an electronic project folder, more readily retrievable than a hard copy set. (For most users, two or more wide format monitors and the use of multiple on-screen windows made the review process even more efficient.) We also more fully adopted features in Tekla Structures, a structural BIM software for developing data-rich 3D models and 2D design and construction documents. Trimble Connect allows real-time Tekla model sharing between team members and other project stakeholders. And despite some recent hilarious online parodies highlighting their shortcomings, web-based meetings
became a vital tool for maintaining effective team communications. The number of platforms seems endless, and based on recent usage, each have distinctive features. Microsoft Teams is a great way to share screens between individuals or small teams, to discuss an immediate issue or to walk through an analysis model with a reviewer. GoToMeeting is a popular platform, and Zoom is great for large group chats. For Ruby, given the sheer number of different platforms, proficiency with several platforms was essential. In the long run, the changes forced on us due to the coronavirus pandemic has strengthened our firm and its quality practices. Though maintaining a fully remote workforce is not in our plans, a number of changes we’ve made to manage this crisis remain part of our standard process. Going forward our staff will have more freedom to work from home using the same teaming systems we’ve put in place and refined over the last few months. One-on-one and small team meetings to quickly address issues are often more efficiently done remotely than a huddle at a conference table. We’ve all become more adept at using tools we already possessed to create remote meetings, and to review computer models, drawings and calculations. With the confidence that comes with overcoming adversity, our team has an even keener focus on quality, and is armed with a new arsenal of supportive technology, collaboration and communication tools. By Bruce Burt, PE, SECB, Vice President of Engineering, Ruby+Associates, Inc., has almost 40 years of experience in the structural design of commercial, manufacturing, industrial facilities and specialty structures in the US, Canada, Mexico and Great Britain. He leads Ruby’s Culture of Quality team, and he is a registered professional engineer in 25 states and three Canadian provinces. Contact Bruce via email at bburt@rubyandassociates.com.
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Lawrence Tech Shows Off Autonomous Vehicle Expertise BY MATT ROUSH
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awrence Technological University (LTU) is the three-time reigning champion of a global collegiate competition for autonomous vehicles. So it’s no surprise that the North American International Auto Show picked LTU, along with a Russian technology company and a Korean auto parts company, to create an autonomous taxi service for the auto show. A team of LTU students, led by computer science professor C.J. Chung, was tabbed to participate in the deployment of 10 four-passenger autonomous taxes, which will ferry show-goers from Detroit’s TCF Center to downtown Detroit hotels. The autonomous taxi fleet was to have been part of NAIAS 2020, which was moved from January to June to take advantage of Detroit’s delightful late-spring weather vs. winter’s cold and snow. But the global coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 show in June. So, Chung said, the project has been moved to the 2021 auto show. 28 | TechCentury | Summer 2020
LTU’s partners in the effort are Hyundai Mobis, the parts and service arm of the Korean automaker, and the Russian technology company Yandex. The vehicles will be programmed to take passengers to their destinations, although there will be a driver to take control if needed. The Yandex-Mobis-LTU collaboration was one of five corporate mobility challenge projects announced by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer last October. “We’ll be evaluating the on-demand riding service through a mobile app and testing their vehicles, collecting data, and writing a report on the vehicles and the service,” Chung said. Sponsored by Mobis, Chung and his students have been working for more than three years on autonomous vehicle software—code that is now integrated into an autonomous two-passenger electric vehicle that is regularly seen in testing around LTU’s Southfield campus. Chung said the taxis would follow predetermined routes from the auto show at TCF Center to and from downtown Detroit hotels and entertainment venues. “Mobis is excited for this opportunity to expand our collaboration with
Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference. The challenge required each mobility project to have an academic partner. The challenge is being managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s mobility unit, PlanetM. LTU has been researching autonomous vehicles since 2003, participating in the global Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition, held each June on Oakland University’s Rochester campus. LTU is a three-time champion in the IGVC Spec 2 or Self-Drive competition for full-size autonomous vehicles, using a Polaris GEM e2 two-seat electric vehicle donated by Hyundai Mobis. Also contributing to the effort have been Dataspeed Inc., a Rochester Hills engineering firm working in mobile robotics and autonomous vehicle technology; Soar Technology Inc., an Ann Arbor autonomy technology developer; Realtime Technologies Inc., an Ann Arbor simulation technology firm; DENSO North America, the Southfield-based division of the Japanese auto parts firm; and Veoneer, a spinoff of the Swedish auto supplier Autoliv. LTU’s Self-Drive projects have also been funded by U.S. Army GVSC since 2018 through Great Lakes Systems & Technology LLC (GLS&T). The IGVC was established in 1993 by the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC, formerly known as TARDEC) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).
LTU, Professor Chung, and his students. The Mobility Challenge is the perfect venue to work together to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities of Yandex’s autonomous taxi system in the demanding NAIAS environment,” said Doug MacKenzie, senior manager of Autonomous Vehicle Advanced Engineering at Mobis North America. “Building and deploying 10 of our world-class self-driving cars for the Detroit Auto show is an exciting opportunity to advance our tech in one of the world’s leading automotive hubs,” said Preston Carey, senior vice president of international business development at Yandex. “We look forward to collaborating with Hyundai Mobis and Professor Chung and his students at Lawrence Tech, an institution that has contributed invaluable knowledge to the automotive industry in Michigan for decades. Yandex has a deep commitment to supporting education through our work with universities, and we’re excited to be working with the team at LTU.” The governor’s NAIAS 2020 Michigan Mobility Challenge was announced in May at the Detroit Regional
Lawrence Technological University students participated in the global Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), held each June on Oakland University’s Rochester campus. LTU is a three-time champion in the IGVC Spec 2 competition for full-size autonomous vehicles.
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REMOTE, RURAL, AND FULLY PLUGGED IN BY ALLISON MILLS
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hen people imagine the peak of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, they probably picture something out of the Jetsons. But with modern automotive technology that image is too cartoonish. The innovations happening today may lead us to flying cars and other uncanny transportation the same way sci-fi cartoons envisioned tech like smart watches and household robots. But revolution can look surprisingly familiar at first. In mobility research at Michigan Technological University, engineers, scientists and mathematicians challenge the cartoon view of what the Fourth Industrial Revolution could look like for Michigan.
Named for the Greek deities of knowledge, learning and the north wind, Michigan Tech’s Prometheus Borealis team placed fourth overall in the second round of the AutoDrive Challenge, a three-year collegiate design competition sponsored by SAE International and GM. Students from the College of Engineering, College of Computing and College of Sciences and Arts team up to tackle the software and hardware challenges of making a fully operational autonomous vehicle—a feat many will kick off in careers as well.
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One of the APS LABS Chevy Bolts, a bright blue car, drives a forested Upper Peninsula road. Autonomous vehicles have to be good at recognizing the rules of the road, but what happens during a blizzard or if a moose crosses the road? Michigan Tech engineers get behind the wheel to gather data on navigating rural roads.
UNSTRUCTURED ENVIRONMENTS
Unstructured environments are the gray zones of mobility. It’s where chaos enters the picture. Michigan Tech is in a remote, snowy region of the Upper Peninsula—the community regularly has to make sense of chaos and a lack of structure, and to some extent, that carries over into research. Many mobility researchers at the university specialize in studying autonomous, connected and electric vehicles in unstructured environments. From user experience to advanced controls and AI to cybersecurity, researchers up here know that anything that works in busy urban streets or traffic-jammed highways will need to be tweaked for weather, cold, animal crossings and dirt roads if all of Michigan is going to benefit in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Advanced Power Systems Labs (APS LABS) leads the charge on this front with a fleet of autonomous vehicles, including eight Chevy Bolts. They collaborate with researchers in electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, energy policy and cognitive science to assess the technical and human aspects of driving in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Right next door, the Keweenaw Research Center maintains more than 900 acres of proving grounds. The test tracks include: ride and handling loops, a circular track, an ice rink, a snow-packed area, and a rugged off-road obstacle course.
HELLO, MICHIGAN!
The Fourth Industrial Revolution will look familiar because many technological changes are happening under the hood and in code. The College of Computing at Michigan Tech is the first of its kind in the state. Instead of operating as an insular academic unit, the College of Computing serves the entire university. It provides general education courses that build computing skills and computational thinking abilities. Additionally, to meet multidisciplinary or cross-disciplinary academic goals, the College is developing convergence programs with flexible, fluid boundaries between the College of Computing and at least one other academic unit. What that means for the automotive industry is training students and collaborating on research projects that tackle cybersecurity, autonomy software, human factors, machine learning and all of the modeling and simulations that support the work. Many kids first encounter computing with the “Hello, World!” program. An important step in furthering their education is getting them to think of the impact closer to home and in their futures. Run: Hello, Michigan!
Research scientists at the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) in Ann Arbor use drones to assess the cars of tomorrow and yesterday’s infrastructure that they’ll be driving on. Using quadcopters and hexacopters, the MTRI teams conduct bridge assessments and gauge traffic congestion and its potential impact on jamming connected vehicle communications. Photographs by Sarah Bird, Michigan Tech
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The KRC installed a new course for military ground-vehicle testing. From steep hills to deep puddles, from rocky terrain to sand pits, the crew takes vehicles truly offroad. The concourse, part of the 900 acres of test tracks and facilities maintained by the KRC, was nicknamed the Golden Proving Grounds during rigorous tank and convoy testing last summer.
IMPLEMENT AND ASSESS
However, simply letting a program loose on the world, no matter its friendly greeting, is not enough. The Institute for Policy, Ethics and Culture (IPEC) is a new initiative at Michigan Tech that calls for moving thoughtfully into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Algorithms inherently oversimplify. Sometimes that’s great like favorite shows and similar ones showing up in a video streaming queue; sometimes that’s flawed like racist image processing or failed safety overrides. IPEC researchers are developing a methodological approach for intervening in the design and implementation of algorithms in a way that allows humans to contemplate ethical issues, cultural considerations and potential policy interventions. What they call for is not doing away with selfdriving cars and dreams of flying ones, but rather asking questions to ensure that humans, not algorithms, remain in the driver’s seat. Looking through the windshield, Michigan’s mobility is heading squarely for the Fourth Industrial Revolution turnpike. It’s a real roadway with none of the cartoon gloss of mid-century sci-fi. But that doesn’t mean it can’t still be beautiful—as well as safe and effective and uniquely Michigan. While autonomy is the talk of the town, it’s not the only innovation happening in automotive technology. The leaps and bounds of electric vehicles and the pending mass connectivity of tomorrow’s roadways are also important. Bridging the challenges in hardware and software requires an interdisciplinary approach. Electrical and computer engineers work alongside mechanical engineers in the APS LABS to run diagnostics on fuel efficiency and smart grid interfaces. 32 | TechCentury | Summer 2020
Allison Mills is Associate Director of Research Communications at Michigan Tech. She studied geoscience as an undergrad at Northland College before getting a master’s in environmental science and natural resource journalism at the University of Montana.
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