YSU Speaker Series Explores Autonomous Vehicles

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — An upcoming speaker series on automotive technology will touch on a number of topics, particularly autonomous vehicles.

The Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University will host Technology Takes the Wheel on Nov. 13 from 8 to 10 a.m. in the college’s auditorium. The first of a six-part series will feature national and regional experts speaking about autonomous vehicles and their impact on mobility, accessibility, workforce, safety and research and development.

In December 2018, Youngstown was awarded a $10.85 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or Build program, for the Smart2 project. Smart2 is the acronym for Strategic & Sustainable, Medical & Manufacturing, Academic & Arts, Residential & Recreational, Technology & Training. The project, which will see the renovation of downtown and the Fifth Avenue corridor includes the deployment of autonomous buses.

Speakers will address emerging career opportunities with autonomous vehicles in the region. They include Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA; Dave Hobbs, senior field trainer/curriculum developer for Delphi Technologies, Michigan; Jim Kinnick, executive director, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments. Jeff Herrmann, CEO of The Business Journal, will emcee the event and moderate a panel question-and-answer period with Ryan and Hobbs.

Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC will display a “highest technology” vehicle at the event and will have a representative on hand to answer questions about technology and other features, including lane keep and adaptive cruise.

The event is free to attend and is expected to draw some 200. CLICK HERE to register. Registration closes Nov. 8. Additional events are expected to be held in the spring and fall of 2020.

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