INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INNOVATOR AWARD
Venkatesh Prasad is a technical leader with a strong internal and external reputation for addressing large, complex, cross-national, multidisciplinary science and technology projects relating to automotive electrical and electronic systems. He is one of the masterminds behind the successful Ford SYNC® in-car connectivity system and was part of the extended team that launched Ford’s first telematics application (Lincoln RESCU). In 2012, he will help shape Ford’s new Silicon Valley Research Lab which will focus on developing mobility solutions to harness the power of seamless connectivity, cloud computing and clean technology.
Prasad is recognized for having created the formal technical specification for a built-in, brought-in and beamed-in connectivity system and led the prove-out of a number of enabling technologies and supported the core engineering teams to deliver what has become Ford’s industry leading family of connectivity technologies. Prasad also created a novel open-innovation approach by leading the design of the software system technologies and tools needed for trusted partners & third-party developers, including university students, to rapidly innovate with Ford in the creation of software applications.
Prasad has more than 20 years’ experience on the design of embedded electronics, software and associated communications systems. Previously Prasad has worked in Silicon Valley (Ricoh California Research Center) and prior to that was at Caltech and was affiliated with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
