Auto X Prize announces the experts who will make sure the rules are followed
While progress on the Automotive X Prize has been off track a little bit over the past year, things are still moving forward. Today, the AXP announced the names on a panel of experts that have been hired to lead the technical operations for the competition. What does that mean? It means that these are six people who will inspect and judge the designs of the entrants. Their names and backgrounds are:
- Steve Wesoloski - Senior Advisor, Deputy Technical Operations (Expertise in engineering and motorsports; most recently with GM Racing)
- Don Taylor - Senior Advisor, Competition Rules (Expertise in 'Green Racing'; formerly of the National Hot Rod Association)
- P.T. Jones - Senior Advisor, Competition Operations (Senior Vehicle Systems Engineer, currently with Sentech, Inc.)
- Jody Nelson - Senior Advisor, Energy Storage Technologies (Expertise in alternative and renewable energy technologies; formerly with Daimler AG and currently with BluEngineering)
- Spencer Quong - Senior Advisor, Fueling & Advanced Vehicle Technologies (currently Chief Technology Officer with Quong & Associates, Inc.)
- Dr. Jim Winkelman - Senior Advisor, Electronics & Advanced Propulsion Technologies (Electrical Engineer with 30+ years in developing advanced products at General Electric, Ford, Visteon and Plug Power)
There's a PDF of biographies available. Now that the judging team has been expanded – and they are apparently "hard at work reviewing the 90+ Registered Teams' business plans and vehicle data submissions" – we want to see this Design Judging phase, the first competitive part of the AXP, over and done with. That way, we can get to the actual vehicle challenges, which are supposed to take place in the spring.
[Source: Auto X Prize]
PRESS RELEASE:
Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Announces Team of Automotive Experts to Lead Technical Operations for Competition
Automotive Experts Will Lead Judging Process in Multimillion Dollar Competition for Super Fuel Efficient Vehicles
PLAYA VISTA, Calif., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, a multimillion dollar competition to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles, today announced the hire of six new team members who will lead technical operations for the competition. All six new hires will serve on the technical inspection and design judging team and will report to Bob Larsen, Senior Advisor, Technical Operations for the Prize.
Under the direction of Larsen, who has spent his career in advanced propulsion systems, fuels, and vehicle competition operations and currently serves as Argonne National Laboratory's Director Emeritus of the Center for Transportation Research, the group of new hires includes a mix of well respected and established names from the automotive and engineering industries. They include:
- Steve Wesoloski - Senior Advisor, Deputy Technical Operations (Expertise in engineering and motorsports; most recently with GM Racing)
- Don Taylor - Senior Advisor, Competition Rules (Expertise in 'Green Racing'; formerly of the National Hot Rod Association)
- P.T. Jones - Senior Advisor, Competition Operations (Senior Vehicle Systems Engineer, currently with Sentech, Inc.)
- Jody Nelson - Senior Advisor, Energy Storage Technologies (Expertise in alternative and renewable energy technologies; formerly with Daimler AG and currently with BluEngineering)
- Spencer Quong - Senior Advisor, Fueling & Advanced Vehicle Technologies (currently Chief Technology Officer with Quong & Associates, Inc.)
- Dr. Jim Winkelman - Senior Advisor, Electronics & Advanced Propulsion Technologies (Electrical Engineer with 30+ years in developing advanced products at General Electric, Ford, Visteon and Plug Power)
"Adding this terrific pool of talent to the competition creates a robust and highly qualified judging panel for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE," said Eric Cahill, Senior Director of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE.
The technical team is currently hard at work reviewing the 90+ Registered Teams' business plans and vehicle data submissions. The Design Judging phase, as it is formally called, is the first competitive event in the competition. Teams must pass this critical phase in order to continue on as Qualified Teams that will compete in a rigorous and demanding series of vehicle challenges that begin with formal opening ceremonies next spring.
"The priority during this phase is to ensure that all teams understand the criteria, that entered vehicles meet or exceed the criteria, and that teams appear capable of building a production intent vehicle to these standards in time for formal vehicle challenges next spring," noted Steve Wesoloski, newly appointed Senior Advisor, Deputy Technical Operations for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.
The newly assembled team of automotive experts will work closely with each competing team to review their vehicle for safety and ensure its readiness for on-road competition events in the coming months. For complete bios on each of the technical team members, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org/files/downloads/auto/PIAXP_Technical_Team.pdf.
ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE
The goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe). The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on efficiency, safety, affordability, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today's oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. For more information visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org. For related educational resources, please visit www.FuelOurFutureNow.com.
ABOUT PROGRESSIVE:
Progressive, founded in 1937, is one of the country's largest auto insurance groups and a leading insurer of motorcycles, recreation vehicles, boats, and commercial vehicles. The Company offers competitive rates and innovative products and services that meet drivers' needs throughout their lifetimes as well as 24/7 online and in-person customer and claims service. One of Progressive's Core Values is Excellence. To the Company's more than 26,000 people, it simply means seeking constant improvement. Over time, this has meant introducing revolutionary ideas that make car insurance easier to shop for, buy and use. It's this same innovative spirit that's behind the Company's sponsorship of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will inspire innovation that will produce more fuel efficient vehicle choices, helping to make a difference in people's lives. Progressive's products and services are available locally through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., online at http://www.progressive.com, and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737).
ABOUT THE X PRIZE FOUNDATION
The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. In 2004, the Foundation captured the world's attention when the Burt Rutan-led team, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world's first private spaceship to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for suborbital spaceflight. The Foundation has since launched the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE and the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The Foundation, with the support of its partner, BT Global Services, is creating prizes in Space and Ocean Exploration, Life Sciences, Energy and Environment, Education and Global Development. The Foundation is widely recognized as a leader in fostering innovation through competition. For more information, please visit www.xprize.org.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 10:05AM (8/07/2009)
The X-Prize is a GREAT idea!
Efficient innovation by rewarding success WITHOUT forced redistribution.
(only available in the free maket)
Reply
Anti-Tim 12:32PM (8/07/2009)
So do we have a free market economy?
Tim 1:17PM (8/07/2009)
OK Anti-Tim, I’ll bite; (thanks for asking)
First a question: Don't you EVER start your own thread? Why not?
Then an answer: The market has not been truly free since Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve act which allowed a bunch of private bankers, unelected officials to counterfeit fiat money and loan it to the American propel AT INTEREST so Congress can be alleviated of any and all boundaries to spending.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Woodrow_Wilson (must read quote)
You think the economy is bad now? Here are is what you SHOULD truly be concerned about...
From 1776 to 1912 the value of the dollar backed by gold, without a central bank You Progressives SHOULD be worried about this fact:
From 1913, when the Federal Reserve was created to 2008, the value of the dollar decreased by 96%.
REAL Public Debt Now EXCEEDS $74 TRILLION!
http://www.truthinaccounting.org/news/listing_article.asp?section=451§ion2=451&CatID=4&ArticleSource=372
First Bush (a traitor) and now Obama (a traitor) both along with the Congressional Progressives (traitors) on Both sides of our current ONE party system have increased the deficit. Obama, however has increased it more in the last 6 months than GW Bush did during his entire 8-years as President. A wrong, whether it be large or small is still WRONG!
Currently, with each passing month there are fewer nations willing to buy US Treasury T-Bills. China and the EU are talking of dropping the Dollar standard. So The Fed is being forced to print and loan more of their fiat currency to the US Treasury debasing its value MUCH faster than ever before, just so the US can pay them INTEREST on unbridled Congressional spending spree.
Economics 101 – The more you have of something, the less it’s worth. This is the real nature and cause inflation. Pay no attention to the smoke & mirror explanations of the Fed.
What will the US $Dollar be worth in 2 years when the world has dropped the Dollar standard and all those dollars come home to roost? Can you say $10.00 loaf of bread????
Any you’re worrying about cars? What about being able to afford the basic necessities of life like Food, Shelter and Clothing?
You may call me a Troll (or other names), but you need to think this through!
Tim 1:24PM (8/07/2009)
Sorry, A correction to my last post:
From 1776 to 1912 (136 years), the value of the dollar, relative to the Consumer Price Index, increased by 11%. (with ZERO public debt)
Then after The Fed’s creation, from 1913 to 2008 (95 years), the value of the dollar, relative to the Consumer Price Index, decreased by 95%.
http://www.kxmb.com/printArticle.asp?ViewPrintable=True&ArticleId=412056
REAL Public Debt Now EXCEEDS $74 TRILLION!
http://www.truthinaccounting.org/news/listing_article.asp?section=451§ion2=451&CatID=4&ArticleSource=372
Anti-Tim 1:44PM (8/07/2009)
****Warning****
Troll Alert! One-Note Tim the Troll's comments should be (and can be) easily ignored. Tim is a mildly retarded, ill-informed, pseudo-Libertarian (though that is an insult to Liberarians) who suffers from serious delusions, most frequently related to econmics and fascism. He attempts to legitimize his comments by pretending to be a defender
of the poor, mocking and belittling, and is frequently mean-sprited to those who disagree with him.
He also attempts flag waving and commonly re-using terms like "Progressive Crony Capitalism," "Eco-Fascism" and "Keynesian Voodoo debt-based econmics" instead of offering logical well thought out points that are actually relevant to the subject at hand.
Tiny Tim thinks that the volume of his posts (over 2200) since 2006 will make up for his lack of anything useful and relevant to say. The net effect of Tim's posts is to prevent otherwise interested and involved people to avoid comment on and participate in a healthy and friendly discussion of the topic at hand.
You may simply insert any of the following as substitutions for Tiny Tim's posts:
- Me think unrestricted free market good
- Me think Progressive NeoCons/Democrat/Socialist/Progressive/Liberal bad
- Me think government bad
- Me think anyone who no like what I say is fascist moron
- Wrongful Wrongful Wrongful!
- Me no like Polocks
- Me no like unicorns farting money
I think Tim is sad, lonely and angry. Somebody hurt Tiny Tim. I feel sorry for Tim. I'm sending you Big Hugs Tim!
Tim 1:53PM (8/07/2009)
Anti-Tim,
You really don't have anything valuble so say, do yo? Personal attacks, that's about it.
Anti-Tim 2:07PM (8/07/2009)
That should sound familiar. No one here wants to hear your insane ramblings. Troll Elsewhere.
Chris M 10:39PM (8/08/2009)
Hmm, Tim, scrolling down a bit farther in that WikiQuotes article indicates that there is a distinct possibility that the quote was fabricated, researchers could not tie it difinitively to any of Wilson's known writings or speeches, and most of the references to it appear to be tied to a certain political philosophy - the one you apparently subscribe to.
Lorena Palin 1:42PM (8/07/2009)
This is why I keep all my assets in small motorcycle engines, guns, inflatable boats, and water purification kits.
Reply
Anti-Tim 1:49PM (8/07/2009)
I Love the X-Prize!
How's that for a post Tiny Tim?
Reply
Tim 2:19PM (8/07/2009)
Anti-Tim, even when you agree with me it is followed by a punch in the nose. Why does this coming from a "progressive" not surprise me?
I think your opinions are JUST as valuable as mine are. Maybe better because they demonstrate your true fear and ignorance of facts and the truth.
I have not, nor will I ever tell you (or anyone) to shut up, troll elsewhere etc. because I believe in free speech and unlike yourself, I am man enough to take the “kind-hearted” progressive insults.
(and the Progressives call the NeoCons were "Mean-Spirited")
By the way, I'm glad that you took the time to research my posts here. I didn't know you cared...
("Anti-Tim".... ha ha ha ho ho he he he.... how uninspired.)
Anti-Tim 3:09PM (8/07/2009)
Sorry Tim, not a progressive. I'm afraid of nothing. I'm tired of loud mouthed bullies attempting to derail conversations with pointless talk about Eco-Fascism and pro-business, egotist or free market ideology. Your posts provide nothing except noise. In fact you do your own points injustice because, and I'm guessing, you've stopped taking your medication. Of course I care Tim, I love you. I'm here for you and because of you. I am Anti-Tim your mirror reflection: here to nullify your idiocy and make sure others know who they are dealing with. I'll leave when you do. Hugs and kisses, Anti-Tim!
Tim 6:48PM (8/07/2009)
Anti-Tim;
Do you even read your own posts? I know you read mine!
You know what they say about stones and glass... mirrors.