TE Connectivity chairman and CEO Tom Lynch notes that the company’s products and solutions are proven in harsh environments, which include Verizon IndyCar Series cars.
The global technology leader, which employs 7,500 design engineers among its 80,000 employees, provides connectivity and sensor solutions in an increasingly connected world.
“We’re one of those companies that most people don’t know about the engineering we do, but it makes all kinds of electronics possible. We’re in space craft that have gone to Mars, we’re in race cars, we’re in smart phones and we’re in robots. If it has electronics in it, we’re in it,” Lynch said.
TE Connectivity’s connectors, cables and sensors are integrated into the five Andretti Autosport entries for the 99th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race to capture, monitor and download critical performance and safety-related data for telemetry used to make real-time decisions at the racetrack. The Pennsylvania-based company, a team associate sponsor, is the primary sponsor of the No. 29 Honda entry for the race.
“This (commercial and technology partnership with Andretti Autosport) is a big step in multiple ways for us – a company not many people know about that sells $14 billion worth of products throughout the world. That should be exciting for anyone who is interested in any of the STEM fields,” Lynch said. “What’s great about this sport in particular is that it blends incredible athleticism and incredible technology, and it’s also fun to watch the cars going fast. When you help somebody understand what makes all this work, it’s fascinating."
The Verizon IndyCar Series supplies the perfect platform for grabbing the attention of students – from the technological elements to the “wow” factor – and spawning interest in the sciences, especially among females.
Simona de Silvestro will drive the No. 29 TE Connectivity Honda in the May 24 race.
“This also helps bring that to life that there are so many opportunities in the STEM fields and there’s so much need,” Lynch said. “That’s one of the reasons that TE is in its second year of a strategic partnership with the Franklin Institute (in Philadelphia), and it’s all about getting kids excited about innovating.”