Lawrence R Kennedy
Chief Technology Officer and Director ORCA™ Technology
Larry has over 31 years of experience in automotive product development with particular expertise in complex electrical and electronic systems. He led the team to integrate the original OnStar® telematics system on the 1997 Cadillac Seville, which used global positioning satellites (GPS) and digital cellular telephony to provide advisor assisted, location based services. Larry’s team developed a system to access data from the vehicle controller area network along with a vehicle’s GPS location to be delivered to a remote call center through a unique data-over-voice communication protocol, enabling services like airbag deployment notification, vehicle diagnostics and stolen vehicle tracking.
Most recently, Larry served as Chief Engineer for Entertainment and Communications Products at Delphi Electronics & Safety, Kokomo, Indiana, where he led the development of sophisticated infotainment systems for Volvo heavy-duty truck and Ford passenger vehicles. He also orchestrated the development, documentation and global roll out of systems engineering methods and tools, and he led the engineering integration of a newly acquired German electronics company, Grundig, into the Delphi engineering organization. As chief engineer in Nürnburg, Germany, Larry led a vast number of engineering projects for major European OEMs including BMW, Daimler, VW, Fiat, and Opel.
Prior to Delphi, Larry developed and integrated functionality and several embedded systems, such as cruise control, driver information and powertrain closed loop controls, into the vehicle’s controller area network at Cadillac Motor Car and orchestrated the total electrical system development for the Buick Reatta.
Larry is certified as a Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a measurable level of comprehension (education and knowledge) and proficiency (experience) in performing tasks applicable to the systems engineering profession.
Larry obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University, and his Masters Certificate In Systems Architecting and Engineering from the University of Southern California. Larry is currently an active member of the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE), member of the External Advisory Board for Michigan Technological University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and a past member of the University of Southern California Systems Architecting and Engineering Industrial Advisory Board.