Mr. Richards has over 20 years of automotive mechanical experience, and specializes in automotive mechanical inspections, failure analysis and maintenance related issues. He conducts vehicle and component level testing utilizing various instrumentation and data acquisition systems, including engine and crash data retrieval.
Mr. Richards’ work also includes developing and fabricating bench and on-vehicle tests of automotive components and systems as well as mechanical courtroom exhibit displays. He has conducted testing of mechanical assemblies including transmissions and throttle systems, braking systems and various manufacturing equipment using hydraulic, pneumatic and multi-channel data acquisition.
Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Richards was an automotive product test technologist at AlliedSignal, General Motors (power train), and Ford Motor Company (road load and structure testing). He has also done vehicle prototype development and build-for-certification tests at Roush Racing, and has held master mechanical and technical positions with various domestic and import automobile dealerships.