Dane MacGregor Morison is a passionate and innovative suspension ride engineer whose work at Astemo is helping to shape the future of automotive technology through electrification and autonomous driving. Inspired by a fascination with engineering and vehicle dynamics, he combines his technical expertise with creative problem-solving to contribute to cutting-edge developments in the industry.
Fascination With a Marvel Blockbuster
Morison’s interest in engineering was ignited in 2008 when the first “Iron Man” movie by Marvel hit the big screens. A self-described geek, he was instantly enraptured by the idea of developing new technology.
That interest only grew over time, and when Morison started college, he initially planned on earning a degree in biomechanical engineering. However, he decided to switch his degree program after becoming involved with the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he discovered his affinity for mechanical engineering dynamics. As he advanced in his academic career, his love “for the science behind vehicles and the integration of various scientific principles” grew.
Morison earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada, in 2018 and a master’s degree in mechatronic systems engineering from Lawrence Technological University in Detroit, Michigan, in 2025. To further his qualifications, he has received certifications in Catia V5 fundamentals from Inceptra, level two driver training from the Transportation Research Center Inc., and performance driving level three from General Motors.
Gaining Experience in the United States
After completing his undergraduate studies, Morison seized the opportunity to enter the automotive industry in the United States. He became a test engineer at Mahindra Automotive North America in Auburn Hills, Michigan, an experience that became his primary motivation to pursue a long-term career in the field.
Morison continued his career by taking on the role of system calibration engineer at GKN Automotive, also in Auburn Hills, Michigan. His expertise was evident in his significant contributions to developing a drift calibration. Another notable career achievement took place in 2024, when he helped develop the Chevrolet Traverse.
Contributing to the Future
Morison is especially proud of securing a pending patent for an online corrective look-ahead road profiling system (CLARPS) for active suspension applications. Once installed, the device uses laser beams and spatial tracking to look ahead of the vehicle and measure the oncoming road profile. For example, it can measure the distance between the vehicle and objects on the road, such as speed bumps or potholes. The CLARPS device modifies the suspension system to anticipate and mitigate such road-related issues, thereby helping to manage vibrations.
“My expertise in vehicle dynamics tuning is a cornerstone of my contributions to the automotive development industry, ensuring systems seamlessly integrate and function at peak performance. By providing technical assistance and feedback to design and system engineering teams, I’ve enabled innovations that shape the future of the automotive industry. I continually strive to drive society forward, with a focus on precision, quality and an improved end-user experience,” Morison says.
Morison aspires to continue developing his patent-pending device to ensure its market suitability. He also hopes to remain on the “cutting edge of new systems and technologies for vehicles.”
“The secret to my success is ‘riding the struggle bus,’ putting in the work and ultimately being willing to take action,” Morison says.
