- Academics
On Friday, January 10, 2025, Jason Fischer, father of Andy Fischer ‘21, visited Catholic Central to speak with students in Mrs. Rebecca Mulrooney’s engineering class.
Fischer, an engineer at General Motors (GM), shared how advances in technology, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI), are used in automotive engineering.
Fischer explained how GM has embraced virtual engineering to reshape how vehicles are designed and tested. Traditionally, creating a prototype vehicle was a costly and time-consuming process, with each prototype costing over $1 million. Virtual engineering changes this by allowing engineers to test and refine designs through advanced computer simulations.
“Virtual engineering saves time, money, and resources,” Fischer said. “Instead of building physical prototypes, we use a virtual simulation lab to test vehicles in real time. We can adjust the design in the virtual environment, improving collaboration and vehicle quality.”
The technology includes simulations where engineers can “drive” a car in a wraparound screen setup, making it possible to test the car in a variety of conditions without ever leaving the lab.
One of the key themes of Fischer’s talk was the importance of embracing new ideas and not being afraid to fail. “As an engineer, it’s important to push boundaries,” Fischer stated. “Fail fast, fail early, and learn quickly. Innovation happens when you step outside your comfort zone.”
This mindset has driven Fischer’s team at GM to think beyond traditional engineering methods. For example, GM is working toward ambitious goals like zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.
Fischer discussed how autonomous and electric vehicles are part of the solution, reducing accidents, cutting commute times, and lessening the environmental impact of transportation.
He also provided specific examples of how AI is being used at GM. Engineers use AI to assist with everything from designing new parts to testing vehicles. By feeding specific requirements into AI systems, engineers can streamline manufacturing and create complex designs faster than ever before.
“AI isn’t replacing engineers,” Fischer reassured the students. “It’s a tool that helps us work smarter. There will always be a need for engineers to guide the process and bring creative ideas to the table.”
To demonstrate, Fischer passed around automotive parts that had been designed using AI. He also described how GM uses AI for tests like spray painting simulations and wind tunnel analysis to ensure vehicles meet quality and safety standards.
“Being an engineer isn’t just about designing something cool,” he said. “You have to think about how your design will be built and how it will work in the real world. How will you present it to your team or management? Always have a can-do attitude and focus on solutions.”
His advice for future engineers was to think big, embrace challenges, and don’t be afraid to try new things. “Anything you can imagine is a possibility,” he concluded. “Innovation starts with asking ‘what if?’ and being willing to explore the answers.”