SmartTech MS was the topic presented by CAVS-E Director, Tonya McCall, at a January event hosted by the Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association at the PACCAR Engine Plant. Lex Lemmers, Director of Program Management and Resident Engineering at PACCAR Engine Company in Columbus and the 2023-2024 Mississippi Manufacturers Association's (MMA) Chairman of the Board, provided an overview of PACCAR and its expansion plans, as well as a tour of the plant.
A development grant awarded to Mississippi State University, SmartTech MS is propelling the advancement of autonomous technologies in advanced manufacturing throughout Mississippi. Through a strategic focus on research and development, technical innovation, commercialization, and workforce development, SmartTech MS is forging impactful partnerships within the state. The objective of the Regional Innovation Engines Development Award is to accelerate the progress of Mississippi's manufacturing sector by developing and integrating smart, autonomous technologies. These innovations are aimed at bolstering U.S. industrial competitiveness and positioning Mississippi for a significant stake in the ongoing technological revolution.
Anticipated outcomes of this initiative include heightened competitiveness among regional industries through the adoption of autonomous technologies, the emergence of new products, and widespread integration of Industry 4.0 practices. Additionally, the project aims to establish frameworks and processes that foster collaborative solutions through university-industry-community partnerships. It also seeks to stimulate industrial and workforce innovation, and to cultivate a regional ecosystem that is primed to accommodate Type 2 Engine advancements.
For more information on the programs and services of CAVS Extension, visit cavse.msstate.edu.
