Department of Project Management

The Automotive Innovation Facility will house the Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Lab (VAIL) which offers a state of the art vehicle research facility where interdisciplinary teams can work on projects that move vehicle technology forward. High-profile Stanford projects to be accommodated in the new building include research on autonomous vehicles like Stanley and Junior, Stanford’s entries in the 2005 and 2007 DARPA Grand Challenges lead by Sebastian Thrun; drive-by-wire and driver assistance systems research by the Dynamic Design Lab of Chris Gerdes; research on the interaction of drivers with vehicles in a driving simulator operated by the Communication between Humans and Interactive Media Lab of Cliff Nass; and the Stanford Solar Car Project that designs, builds and operates the vehicles competing in solar races in North America and Australia. In order to improve safety, sustainability, performance, and enjoyment of automobiles, the Automotive Innovation Facility will provide a place for researchers to test new ideas in real vehicles.

Located at the corner of Stock Farm and Oak Road, the building will be a pre-engineered industrial system, with simple, unadorned forms and materials reflective of the garage-like program. The building is designed for efficient lighting with daylight sensors, passive solar design, clearstory windows and large overhangs on the south face. The building houses seven work bays, a seminar room, kitchen, and other shared facilities.

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