Gift Will Power Student Learning, Innovation and Formula SAE Racing
Honda Deepens Partnership with Alabama A&M Through Second Engine Donation
Alabama A&M University’s College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences (CETPS) has received a powerful new addition to its Special Projects Lab thanks to a continued partnership with Honda. Representatives from Honda’s Alabama Auto Plant (AAP) in Lincoln, Alabama, recently presented the University with a state-of-the-art 3.5L V6 engine – Honda’s latest generation powerplant that drives the Alabama-built Pilot and Passport and other vehicles.
The Special Projects Lab at CETPS actively participates in the annual Formula SAE racing event. Each year, a dedicated student team designs, builds, and tests a Formula SAE-style race car within AAMU’s laboratory facilities. By studying cutting-edge design and technological innovations from leading global automotive manufacturers, students gain invaluable experience that enhances their engineering education.
Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is a series of international competitions for engineering students. University teams compete to design and build the best performing race cars.
The donation builds on a growing relationship between Honda and AAMU. It follows a 2022 gift of five Honda engines to the University, which continues to be used for hands-on learning and innovation in the CETPS Special Projects Lab.
The V6 engine, manufactured at Honda’s Alabama Auto Plant (AAP) and Anna Engine Plant (AEP), with final assembly in Lincoln, will serve as a valuable resource for AAMU engineering students to gain real-world engineering experience.
“Hands-on learning opportunities are critical to developing strong engineers,” said Dr. Zhengtao Deng, dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences. “This engine will allow our students to gain a deeper understanding of the latest design strategies and systems technologies that enable today’s engines to achieve unprecedented levels of performance, efficiency, and emissions output.”
Honda associates, including Shirley Hall, new model development group lead and proud AAMU alumna, joined Omar Blasingame, engine machining technical group lead, and Brett Price, engine division lead, to present the engine and meet with engineering and business students during the visit. They presented an overview of the key considerations and mass production planning challenges related to the various types of propulsion systems, an “AI auto learning” perspective in online vision systems, as well as from an “AI automated trending & notification” perspective that is applied to Honda’s numerous real-time measurement data streams.
For Hall, returning to her alma mater to deliver the engine was especially rewarding. “It’s exciting to see students at Alabama A&M engaging with technology that will shape the future of the automotive industry,” she said. “As an alumna, it means a lot to know Honda is helping create opportunities that once shaped my own career path.”
The engine will benefit mechanical and electrical engineering students across CETPS, particularly those involved in special projects and research labs.
“This donation strengthens the collaboration between Alabama A&M University and Honda,” added Deng. “It provides real-life, experiential learning opportunities that prepare our students to be innovative problem-solvers and leaders in engineering.”