Monday 18 / November / 2024
Muscat: Among more than 100 teams, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) students were the first team to hit the tracks of Manila in the prototype category on Friday after smoothly passing the technical inspection at the Shell eco-marathon 2016 held in the Philippines for the third, and final time.
The car showed marvelous performance, finishing at third place in the first round out of four others remaining.
Ahmed al Hadhrami, a team member, said that such accomplishment is a huge motivation for SQU team. "This will lead us to more success in the upcoming trials," he confided, adding that his team aims at breaking high scores.
As the competition was about to begin, the six students were asked to wait for two hours following the management's decision to postpone the challenge due to rain, which made the street circuit wet.
Nevertheless, the young engineers have successfully cleared the first round with their red, white and green machine which can reach a speed of 60 km/hour.
SQU ECO WHEEL, a gasoline-run car purely made by Omani students at an estimated cost of OMR2,000, has attracted international photographers to take some clicks of the machine covered by rain drops.
Tariq Al Subhi, the SQU team leader said that his team had successfully reduced the cost from last year's design which exceeded OMR5,000.
The colourful machine weights around 80 kg, which is 20 kg lighter than last year's model.
Al Subhi added that he and his friends are super thrilled to compete with more than hundred teams to make Oman proud.
He pointed out that his team needed to fix a minor leak on Friday morning, before passing the technical test and setting their prototype on the track
The aim of the contest is to design and build a car that will drive the furthest distance on the smallest amount of fuel or battery power.
Expressing his excitement, Salim al Muhraz, a team member, said "It's a great feeling to see your invention completing all 10 laps in front of hundreds of fans without a single flaw".
While the driver, Tamer Al Siyabi said that he, despite the humid and hot weather, enjoyed every moment he spent in the car.
"The spirit of winning helped me focus and do my best, and eventually we completed the first round which was such a great achievement added to the team's other achievements," Tamir added while his teammate, Sami Al Siyabi, said that the he hopes to score better in the forthcoming rounds.
Student teams may participate in the Prototype or UrbanConcept vehicle categories of the competition.
The three Omani teams, SQU, Caledonian College of Engineering, and GUtech, have chosen the Prototype category, which will see student teams entering cars of the future – streamlined vehicles focused on maximising fuel efficiency through innovative design elements, such as drag reduction.
The UrbanConcept category focuses on more “roadworthy” fuel-efficient vehicles. Aimed at meeting the real-life needs of drivers, these vehicles are closer in appearance to the higher-mileage cars seen on the roads today. A total of more than 100 vehicles – composed of Prototype and UrbanConcept models – have been entered for this year’s competition.
For both Prototype and UrbanConcept categories, teams may enter vehicles using any of the following energy types: gasoline, diesel, alternative gasoline (ethanol 100), alternative diesel (Shell Gas-to-Liquid or fatty acid methyl ester), battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell. Results for the electrically-powered vehicles are expressed in km per kilowatt hour (km/kWh), and in km per litre (km/l) for the other energy types. Students will have the freedom to exercise their creativity in technical and design aspects, with the condition that all vehicles entered meet specific safety rules.
Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2016 will see 24 On-Track awards with prize money of US$2,000 for Winners in both Prototype and UrbanConcept categories. In addition, teams will also be vying for five Off-Track awards: Communications, Vehicle Design, Technical Innovation, Safety, and Perseverance and Spirit of the Event.
This year also marked the third edition of the Shell Powering Progress Together Forum at Shell Eco-marathon Asia, where 250 thought leaders, young talents and representatives around Asia Pacific gathered this morning to discuss challenges and potential solutions surrounding global energy, water and food resources. Running alongside Shell Eco-marathon, it featured eminent speakers from the Philippines and beyond.
