GameAbove today announced a $500,000 gift to the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) to fund a senior research engineer position and expand exploration for the advancement of autonomous, connected-vehicle technologies and mobility solutions.

The donation will enable the senior research engineer over a three-year period to expand and align curriculum, lead connected-vehicle research, and prepare students for future jobs in a rapidly expanding marketplace. Additionally, the new position strengthens EMU’s opportunities to work with industry partners and create research projects for real-world solutions and applications. The senior research engineer will lead a team of faculty and students to collaborate directly with private companies and the American Center for Mobility (ACM) on autonomous vehicle projects.

“Southeast Michigan is fast becoming a dynamic hub for advancements in mobility and all forms of autonomous vehicle development. Engineering is at the heart of connected vehicles, so it is natural that a university like Eastern Michigan houses a key research position in this field,” said Khalid Walton, a GameAbove advisory board member. "With our continued focus on rising technologies such as cybersecurity for connected and autonomous vehicles and select aviation specialties, the addition of this position is another step forward in having these dynamic programs recognized nationally as the best in the country."

The research position follows similar contributions by GameAbove to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the greater Southeastern Michigan region. This includes a recent $5 million gift to the University’s College of Engineering and Technology as it opens a renovated building, as well as making available to EMU faculty, students and alumni the GameAbove Capital $50 million impact fund. Leading autonomous vehicle companies, such as Perrone Robotics and Local Motors, are either expanding research operations into the region or looking to EMU for collaborations.

“We are very grateful for the ongoing commitments by GameAbove to our college, our students and our programs. This senior engineer position will play a critical role to both inspire our students as well as develop the level of collaboration with private industry that results in real-world solutions,” said Mohamad Qatu, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology. “The future of urban mobility and driverless technologies will come to life at EMU.”

GameAbove, a dynamic group of EMU alumni, provides a wholistic and next-generation approach to support Eastern Michigan, to stimulate contributions from other alumni and enterprises, and to foster new ideas and additional strategic planning for a University with a rich history that has graduated tens of thousands of successful students.