Four research groups contribute to the development of the automobile engineering field by using extensive automobile maintenance and measurement equipment.
Center philosophy
In addition to conventional automotive technology, this center will respond to social needs for future automobiles such as environmental technology that realizes carbon neutrality, CASE (Connected, Autonomous/Automated, Shared, Electric) and MaaS (Mobility as a Service). We have organized four groups to address a wide range of technical issues, and are working to contribute to society, disseminate information, and develop human resources.
Head of Center Akira Kato
Aiming for advanced creative research and human resource development that meets the social needs of new technological fields
This center was established in April 2020 as a reorganization of the former Automobile Technology Center. Currently, six faculty members from the Faculty of Faculty of Science and Engineering are divided into four groups: Fundamentals/Environmental Energy, Safety/Comfort, AI/Autonomous Driving, and Advanced Air Mobility. Utilizing the AT Center's staff with mechanic qualifications and the excellent facilities and measuring instruments of its certified workshops, these four groups aim to conduct advanced creative research and develop human resources that meet societal needs, not only in the traditional field of automotive engineering, but also in environmental technologies that achieve carbon neutrality and new fields such as CASE and MaaS. Specific examples are as follows:
In order to support research activities, the automotive industry is said to be in a "once-in-a-century transformational period," and we are collaborating with many automotive-related companies located in Tochigi Prefecture, where Utsunomiya Campus is located, to promote the production of excellent results by our experienced and proven faculty members.
For the purpose of social contribution and information dissemination, we hold experiments / practices using the equipment of certified factories, technical consultation on automobile engineering, and lectures (symposiums) for companies and various organizations.
As human resource development, seminars on measurement and basic technology in equipment by engineers of automobile measurement equipment and equipment manufacturers for new graduate research students in the 4th year, faculty members of this university for Graduate School and young engineers of companies, and automobiles Held seminars on cutting-edge technologies from engineers of related companies
Steering committee
Head of Center Professor Akira Kato
Professor Yoshio Kurosawa Professor Yuichi Hasuda Professor Hiroshi Yoneda Associate Professor Masafumi Makita Assistant Professor Naoki Fukuda
(As of August 2025)
Main research contents, facilities and equipment
This center is divided into four groups: Infrastructure/Environmental Energy, Safety/Comfort, AI/Autonomous Driving, and Advanced Air Mobility, and conducts research using the center's own equipment.
Conducting research into environmental technologies required for advanced automobiles, such as improving fuel efficiency and electricity consumption and basic research into electric motors We are conducting research into technologies to reduce exhaust gas emissions and improve fuel and electricity consumption in real-world automobiles. For BEVs, we have proposed and achieved results with eco-driving methods for BEVs by measuring and analyzing various driving parameters using external diagnostic equipment. We are also conducting research into energy-efficient and smooth operation of electric motors by optimizing the drive system, including the electric motor and its control, using small electric carts.
Research on vibration and noise, research and analysis of traffic accident risk factors, and work on driving support and accident prevention medical techniques In order to realize a safe and secure car society, we investigate and analyze various traffic accident risk factors from an engineering point of view, reduce occupant injuries in the event of a collision, optimize the vehicle body structure, and provide driving support and accident prevention technologies. I am working on research. In addition, as research related to comfort, we are working on the development of high-frequency in-vehicle noise prediction technology for automobiles, sound absorption and sound insulation analysis of soundproof materials, and research and development of new soundproof structures using CAE and experimental measurement.
Supporting the recognition, decision-making, and control systems required for autonomous driving from the AI field We provide support in the fields of AI and image processing technology for systems that recognize, judge, and control pedestrians and oncoming vehicles, which are necessary for autonomous driving. We are also applying these image processing technologies to develop robots that can precisely spray pesticides only on crops.
Breaking away from the existing image of aircraft and thinking about new flight mobility Drones, which are said to be an ``industrial revolution in the sky,'' have expanded the world of electric flight, and by becoming larger and manned, they are on the verge of breaking down the concept of personal mobility. The time has come to explore new forms of air mobility that break with the existing concepts of air mobility, such as having a propeller and wings or rotating a single rotor. In order to make a difference, we are researching manned/unmanned air mobility using free ideas.
Alignment tester
It is a four-wheel alignment device that arranges and aligns the wheels and axles of an automobile at a fixed angle.
Chassis dynamometer
It is a device that measures the fuel consumption and horsepower of a car.
2 pillar lift
It is possible to perform work that requires the vehicle to be lifted up.
Engine dynamometer
It is a device that evaluates a single engine.
Headlight tester
It is a device that can adjust the optical axis of the headlight and evaluate it.
We publish an annual report once a year as a place to present the activities of this center and the educational and research results of our faculty members. You can view previously published annual reports from the links below.
