Automated Vehicles Symposium 2019

Chris Atkinson
Program Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
U.S. Department of Energy


Dr. Chris Atkinson has extensive experience in engineering in academia, industry, entrepreneurship and government. He currently serves in a term-limited capacity as a Program Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the US Department of Energy. At ARPA-E since 2014 he has initiated and managed external research and development projects in the advanced clean energy area totaling over $120 million, including NEXTCAR, a $35 million program aimed at using connectivity and automation to improve vehicle energy efficiency. He is a world expert in advanced vehicle technologies, including automated vehicles. He is the founder of Atkinson LLC, a consultancy in advanced engine and vehicle technology, including powertrain control and hybrid electric vehicle technology. From 2009 to 2011 he was the Director of the West Virginia University Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions, in addition to holding the rank of tenured professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering. He has conducted research on behalf of a number of government agencies and automotive companies, has authored over 110 peer-reviewed publications and presentations (with over 1950 citations), and holds two US and international patents. He has received awards for research and teaching from the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, the Society of Automotive Engineers and the National Science Foundation, in addition to being a Fellow of the ASME, and a Fellow of the SAE. For several years Dr. Atkinson was a member of the advisory board of a major international research center at Chalmers University in Sweden, in addition to advising several start-up companies.

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