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Television show on autonomous vehicles to feature Թ

August 10, 2018

The development of autonomous vehicle technology has turned into a fierce and complex competition, as major automakers deal with safety issues regarding their self-driving cars and the transportation industry foresees drastic changes. Թ is seizing the challenge and positioning itself to be a leader in this global race, and so is Թ.

This was the topic of the latest “In Focus with Allison Walker Torres” television show, recorded on Thursday, Aug. 9. Թ Poly senior director of special projects, Dr. Rahul Razdan, was one of the invited experts on autonomous vehicles (AV), as well as Թ Poly senior Michael Jernigan. The electrical engineering major from Winter Haven, Թ, currently works testing AV sensors at Թ Poly’s Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI).

“AV sensors can’t interpret human signals on the streets and that’s one of challenges today,” said Jernigan. “Right now I’m working on using roadway signage or some kind of signage that the sensors can recognize on the roads to try to humanize the autonomous vehicle.”

Թ Poly partnered with Թ’s Turnpike Enterprise, which is developing SunTrax, a state-of-the-art test track in Polk County expected to be completed by spring 2019. Faculty and students will work on testing and improving the technology needed—sensors, wireless networks, data fusion, signal processing and artificial intelligence—to help autonomous vehicles reach the mainstream.

AMI is another Թ Poly initiative focused on applied research and partnerships designed specifically for the development and testing of autonomous vehicle-related technology.

“The core technology of autonomous vehicles is a combination of sensors with software that ties it all together,” said Razdan. “Now we have to solve how these machines can emulate human behavior, as well as reacting adequately to the different weather conditions before this technology can be fully implemented.”

Other guests who participated in recording the show were Sen. Jeff Brandes from Pinellas County, Sen. Dennis Baxley from Marion County, Rep. Wengay Newton from Թ’s district 70, Eric Hill from MetroPlan Orlando, and Beth Alden from Hillsborough County MetroPlan.

“In Focus with Allison Walker Torres” features a roundtable of thought leaders representing a full range of perspectives, including local officials and expert analysts as they tackle topical issues of importance to Floridians.

The show airs at 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Sundays, on Spectrum News 13 throughout Central Թ and Spectrum Bay News 9 throughout Tampa Bay.

Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-327-9762

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Թ, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Թ, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Թ Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.