EcoCAR 3 Excels in Innovation

Innovation is just one of many focus areas of EcoCAR 3. Students participating in the Innovation track can contribute to meeting future energy and fuel efficiency goals through unique and creative ways. The innovation track provides students with the opportunity to utilize and develop state-of-the-art technologies and methods. From selecting the more efficient driving route based upon speeds and road grade, to optimizing the spark ignition of an engine for E85 fuel, the possibilities of innovation are only limited to the determination and out-of-the-box thinking developed in Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions. Ultimately, students will be able to gain first-hand experience with increasingly complex technologies in the automotive industry.

To learn more about the EcoCAR 3 Innovation track, check out the video here:

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ERAU is Wired into Mentor Graphics for EcoCAR 3

The EcoCAR 3 competition challenges 16 universities across North America to further the innovation on a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro to create a high performance, hybrid vehicle. The Embry-Riddle team has approached this challenge working closely with Mentor Graphics by using VeSys and Flowmaster. From their valuable sessions regarding software at Winter Workshop to attending a Sale’s Kick-Off Event in Orlando, Mentor Graphics has gone above and beyond the realm of responsibilities of a competition sponsor.

Check out this video to see how Embry-Riddle’s EcoCAR 3 team has partnered with one of the competitions sponsors, Mentor Graphics,  in Year Two of the EcoCAR 3 Competition:

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What Happens When You Give Engineering Students a 2016 Camaro

During Year two of the EcoCAR 3 program, the University of Washington team began the deconstruction process on their 2016 Camaro with a goal of transforming their Camaro into a plugin hybrid-electric vehicle.

The process to complete this task takes time and dedication from many UW team members. The team removed the engine, transmission, and trunk interior to implement their design into their Camaro. During the year two competition in Yuma, AZ, the team was successfully able to complete a robust pack design, achieve battery commissioning, and a vehicle nearing a fully integrated state.

Here is a behind the scenes look at the UW EcoCAR 3 design implementation process:

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Dear Snap-on, We Couldn’t do it Without You!

The University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) is excited to highlight the importance of competition sponsor, Snap-on, whose tools are invaluable in the work we do during the EcoCAR3 Competition.  Snap-on contributes tools through the competition to our team. We use these tools on a daily basis to do highly technical work on our 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. We decided to highlight the importance of these physical resources because it is indisputable that Snap-on’s contribution to UWAFT is extremely valuable. We truly appreciate Snap-on’s involvement in EcoCAR3 and the opportunity our team has to use Snap-on’s performance tools to work on our Camaro. UWAFT is looking forward to putting our gifted Snap-on tools to good use while converting our Camaro into a hybrid-electric vehicle!

Watch the video below to see how vital Snap-on is to the UWAFT team:

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Where Are They Now: WVU’s Cate Schlobohm

Cate Schlobohm was always a fan of engineers. She was always fascinated by the way they think, the way they problem solve, and how they are always up for a challenge. In fact, Cate was more than just an admirer of engineering—she studied it. For three years of her undergraduate career, the 28-year-old West Virginia native studied industrial engineering and even landed two co-op positions in West Virginia and California in the automotive industry.

“It was during my co-ops that I realized I was more interested in strategic communications,” she said.

“When I returned to WVU, I changed my major, but was able to combine my engineering interests with public relations by interning for the Statler College of Engineering in the Communications Department.”

Soon after finding her passion for public relations, Cate heard about EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge and couldn’t wait to get involved. As a member of the communications team, Cate’s focus was on youth outreach, event planning, and training engineering team members to present to non-technical audiences.

“I really enjoyed watching the engineering team members share their passion for the project with K-12 students. Working with EcoCAR allowed me to see how important and fun it is to educate young students about opportunities in STEM fields in an exciting, engaging way,” she said.

Today, Cate serves as the Outreach Program Coordinator for West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering. Because of her EcoCAR involvement, she pushed for an outreach program within the college, and shortly thereafter, Cate was offered a brand new position that was created with her skill set in mind. In this role, she builds upon her EcoCAR 1 experiences to educate youth, recruit prospective engineering students, and organize engineering challenge camps throughout the summer months.

“Thankfully, I have been given the opportunity to grow and develop our robust outreach program alongside other people who have the same passions I do,” she said.

Five years after wrapping up the EcoCAR 1 competition, youth outreach is still the favorite part of Cate’s job. She understands the importance of engineering and uses her communications skills to teach kids about STEM’s impact in our day-to-day lives.

“Many students cannot name the different types of engineering, but when you give them examples of all the things created by engineers, they are surprised to find out engineering is more than cars and bridges,” she said.

Her advice to current communications students participating in EcoCAR 3?

“Don’t be intimidated by engineers. While they are intelligent, highly educated individuals, so are you! As a communication specialist, you possess a set of skills that works in concert with engineers’ skills. You can both be valuable assets to the team if you work together and learn from each other.”

From engineering student to outreach specialist, Cate Schlobohm’s professional journey is proof of the multidisciplinary aspect of not just AVTCs, but life after EcoCAR.

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Innovation Through Education: General Motors Seeks Spark Curiosity In The Next Generation Of Automotive Professionals

General Motors (GM) support for The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition series has been inspiring students to engage and invest in their education via experiential learning for more than 15 years. GM continues to empower students to connect theory and practice by undertaking lead sponsorship of EcoCAR 3, the latest competition in this series. GM enables students from The University of Alabama and 15 other competing institutions to receive this unparalleled experience by providing extensive training and expertise along with generous material support that includes seed money, components and the vehicle platform that provides the competition’s focal point- a brand-new 2016 Camaro. Their greatest contribution, however, comes through the relationships their employees build with the students that cultivate a spirit of collaboration and foster a cooperative mentoring environment throughout the four-year competition experience.

Watch now to learn how GM partners with students from The University of Alabama:

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Behind the Scenes of the OSU EcoCAR 3 Team

Ohio State University EcoCAR team leaders are often the ones at the competitions, being interviewed by media and generally receive the most recognition. But early on a Saturday morning, more than just team leaders can be found hard at work in the student projects bay of the Center for Automotive Research at Ohio State. From older, dedicated members to newly-joined freshmen, there are many students who have a hand in transforming our Camaro into a hybrid vehicle.

Without the hard work and commitment from our members, our team would not be as strong, innovative or successful. Meet some of the members behind the scenes:

Name: Alex Spohr

Year: Second

Major: Finance

Team: Project Management

Why did you join EcoCAR? My roommate told me about EcoCAR and I thought it sounded like a cool opportunity. I originally joined the electrical team because I am interested in that area, however, I switched to project management because it is more relevant to my major.

What is your favorite part or why have you stayed involved in EcoCAR? I’ve really enjoyed learning about the safety aspects of the car and keeping track of the team’s finances. I like being able to take what I learned in class and apply it to something applicable.

Name: Kerri Loyd

Year: First

Major: Electrical Engineering

Team: Electrical

Why did you join EcoCAR: I wanted to get hands-on experience, especially in the automotive industry. I wanted to get a feel for it and see if I like it.

What is your favorite part or why have you stayed involved in EcoCAR? I like being involved in something and working with the rest of the team. It’s a fun project to work on.

Name: Kristina Kuwabara

Year: Second

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Team: Mechanical

Why did you join EcoCAR? Last year I wanted to be involved in something, and this is something I really liked and wanted to continue to be involved in. It’s great to be part of something related to what I want to do after graduation.

What is your favorite part or why have you stayed involved in EcoCAR? I love the hands-on learning and testing each piece. I also can’t wait to see it all come together.

Name: Zach Sroka

Year: Third

Major: Materials Science & Engineering

Team: Mechanical

Why did you join EcoCAR: I’m really into cars, especially companies that are working on hybrid vehicles. This is a more comprehensive project, and it provides an opportunity for me to work with something I already love.

What is your favorite part or why have you stayed involved in EcoCAR? The atmosphere is great to work in and we have a great team. I like being in the garage and learning more about the vehicle and how to do everything.

We could not complete this project without the help of our entire team. So here is a shout-out to all of our team members, a small amount of recognition for the huge contribution they make.

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