HRW students showcase innovations in Detroit

In late July 2025, Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences (HRW) and Wayne State University (WSU) wrapped up two collaborative engineering projects with a dynamic final week in Detroit, USA. Part of the ongoing COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) program, these projects exemplify the strong, practice-oriented partnership between the two institutions and the opportunities they create for hands-on, cross-cultural learning.

Eight HRW students took part this year, applying their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges in an international environment. Four bachelor’s students in Automotive Electronics and Electrical Engineering, led by Prof. Dr. Klaus Thelen and Jonas Gillner, and four Electrical Engineering students, led by Prof. Dr. Lothar Kempen and Marlon Tranelis, joined forces with their WSU peers to present their results to faculty and industry representatives.

Prof. Thelen’s project, developed in collaboration with WSU professors Mohammed Ismail and Lubna Alazzawi, has become an annual tradition since 2022, consistently tackling topics in automotive safety. This year, the team designed an innovative “hit-and-run” detection system capable of preventing or reliably recording minor parking collisions using sensors and camera technology. Built to common automotive standards and with cost efficiency in mind, the project offered students valuable insight into designing solutions fit for large-scale production.

The second project, led by Prof. Kempen in partnership with WSU professor Amar Basu, debuted this year and marked an exciting expansion of the engineering collaboration. Under the title “Laser-tag RC Cars,” students developed remote-controlled vehicles fitted with a movable light cannon and hit-detection sensors. The project blended creativity with technical expertise in microcontrollers, mechanics, and communications, and added a playful, competitive element to the week’s presentations.

Beyond the technical work, the visit offered an immersive cultural experience. The itinerary included a stop at the GM Tower, a Detroit Tigers baseball game, a tour of the Ford F-150 production plant, and evenings spent in classic American restaurants. These moments strengthened team bonds and deepened intercultural understanding among all participants.

A visual recap of the projects is available on HRW Instagram: @hrw_elektrisierend.