Design Article
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selinz
Most people look to their cars to fulfill a feeling of self worth and speed is ...
agk
Lot of developments are taking place in this eco car segment.Probably by 2017 a ...
EcoCar2: Influencing auto design, young engineers
Brian Fuller
9/28/2012 7:08 PM EDT
Intense competition
In this version of EcoCar 2, the 15 college teams (from schools such as California State University Los Angeles, Embry-Riddle, Colorado State, Penn State and others) are working with 2013 Chevy Malibus to meet four technical goals:
Kenneth Leslie, a second-year EE working on the Embry-Riddle car, said participation in the program has taught him how to sacrifice.
"Depending on what you're trying to do with the vehicle, you have to sacrifice on other objectives," he said.
The Embry-Riddle car, for example, has a focus on consumer acceptability, specifically maximizing trunk space. "We went with a slightly smaller battery pack, because we wanted to maximize trunk space," he said. The EcoEagle team's series hybrid design includes a 1.7L biodiesel engine, 25-mile electric range and goes from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, Leslie said. A particularly intriguing feature is the car's IDEA (Intelligent Driver Efficiency Advisor) system, original a thesis from Embry-Riddle student Brandon Smith, which tunes the vehicle’s performance based on traffic data, GPS positioning, individual driver preferences, and historical routes taken.
Mathworks, whose software is used in the competition, continues to host the fall workshop until Sunday Sept. 30. Freescale will host the winter workshop, scheduled for late January 2013 in Austin, Texas.
Related stories:
In this version of EcoCar 2, the 15 college teams (from schools such as California State University Los Angeles, Embry-Riddle, Colorado State, Penn State and others) are working with 2013 Chevy Malibus to meet four technical goals:
- Reduce fuel consumption
- Reduce well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduce criteria tailpipe emissions
- Maintain consumer acceptability in the areas of performance, utility, and safety
Kenneth Leslie, a second-year EE working on the Embry-Riddle car, said participation in the program has taught him how to sacrifice.
"Depending on what you're trying to do with the vehicle, you have to sacrifice on other objectives," he said.
The Embry-Riddle car, for example, has a focus on consumer acceptability, specifically maximizing trunk space. "We went with a slightly smaller battery pack, because we wanted to maximize trunk space," he said. The EcoEagle team's series hybrid design includes a 1.7L biodiesel engine, 25-mile electric range and goes from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, Leslie said. A particularly intriguing feature is the car's IDEA (Intelligent Driver Efficiency Advisor) system, original a thesis from Embry-Riddle student Brandon Smith, which tunes the vehicle’s performance based on traffic data, GPS positioning, individual driver preferences, and historical routes taken.
Mathworks, whose software is used in the competition, continues to host the fall workshop until Sunday Sept. 30. Freescale will host the winter workshop, scheduled for late January 2013 in Austin, Texas.
Related stories:
- EcoCAR forms a project-based learning platform
- Virginia Tech tools up with MathWorks
- Green energy research targets hydrogen, photosynthesis
- Silicon Valley Nation: Disruption in the passing lane
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agk
9/29/2012 8:09 AM EDT
Lot of developments are taking place in this eco car segment.Probably by 2017 a new range of cars will be seen every where on the earth. And all our existing cars will go to museum by 2020.
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selinz
10/3/2012 1:40 PM EDT
Most people look to their cars to fulfill a feeling of self worth and speed is part of that. Until gas prices become much more painful, relatively affluent societies (NA, europe, etc) will continue to buy cars based on HP and 0-60 specs.
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