Max Donath

Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Office: 211 Mechanical Engineering
Phone: 612-625-2304
E-mail: donath@me.umn.edu

• Donath's Department of Mechanical Engineering webpage
• Donath's Research Projects

Max Donath is a professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute at the University of Minnesota. He has published widely, documenting the design, development, and experimental validation of innovative approaches that integrate sensors, intelligence, and motor control in order to assist humans with the performance of complex tasks.

Donath’s most recent research efforts have been directed toward the application of sensors and control systems to reduce driver error and the resulting road fatalities. The focus of his research can be grouped into four areas: (a) improved georeferenced location sensing (“which lane” and “where in lane” vehicle position), (b) collision avoidance and active safety, (c) novel human interfaces for providing improved situation awareness to the driver and pedestrian, and (d) reducing teen driver fatal crashes.

Donath received a B. Eng. in mechanical engineering from McGill University and went on to earn S.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined the University of Minnesota in 1978 and has directed the ITS Institute since 1997.