Darrell L. Robinette

Darrell L. Robinette is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University (MTU), where he also serves as Area Director for Design/Dynamic Systems. He joined MTU in 2016 after nine years at General Motors, where he focused on powertrain NVH, controls, and electrification. His research emphasizes mobility systems electrification, connected/automated vehicle optimization, and propulsion system integration.

Education: Robinette holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (2016) and a BS in Mechanical Engineering (year not specified), both from MTU.

Research Interests: His work spans electrification of mobility systems, connected/automated vehicle control systems, automatic transmission dynamics, torque converter optimization, and drivetrain NVH reduction. He leads projects funded by GM, Ford, the Department of Energy, and ARPA-E, addressing topics like heavy-duty off-road electrification and energy-efficient vehicle control strategies.

Patents: He holds 15 U.S. patents in powertrain and driveline engineering, including innovations in clutch systems, hybrid transmissions, and NVH mitigation technologies.

Advising & Grants: Co-advisor for the SAE-GM Autodrive Challenge II. His funded research includes ARPA-E’s NEXTCAR program for connected vehicle optimization, DOE projects on off-road electrification, and industry collaborations on transmission testing and simulation.

Labs/Teams: His work is conducted within MTU’s R. L. Smith Department, focusing on experimental and computational analysis of powertrain systems. He collaborates closely with automotive industry partners on applied research initiatives.