HPVC Students Race to Win
Amanda Moreno
May 1, 2012 53 Vehicles. Hundreds of Students. One Mission.
Of course, I’m talking about the Annual ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, where hundreds of engineering students from across the US build and race their own self-powered vehicles. The HPVC Mission is to develop sustainable transportation alternatives for countries with emerging economies.
The competition is dual: Knovel was there to see the winning students cross the finish line at HPVC East in Grove City, PA on April 27-29; and at HPVC West, in Toole, Utah, on May 4-6. This year’s competition was fierce–every student represented their university with innovative designs and plenty of trash talk!
The Build-Up
Before either competition kicked off, I sat down to chat with a few of the students — Of all of which knew they’d be first across the finish line. When Samantha Bittinger from the University of Akron was asked about her team’s chances at victory, she offered, “Absolutely. Our vehicle has no weakness. We have a wonderful, talented team that has worked so hard to create a great product.”
(above) University of Akron building their ultra-sweet vehicle, The Zephyr
All the 2012 teams were hungry for the win, but some boasted pretty stellar designs. Montana State University built their vehicle, The Cat’s Meow, with 6061-T6 Aluminum for an ultra lightweight and lightening fast frame. The University of Wisconsin team even designed a USB port and a radio powered entirely by the rider’s pedal strokes.
“No other team has done something like that,” claims Page Kiecker, from the University of Wisconsin.
Now that’s riding in style.
The Action
HPVC East. The Challenge was packed with windy trails and excited onlookers amid the backdrop of Grove City clear skies. Top Winners were Missouri Institute of Science & Technology, with The Cronos and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with the Carnot Cycle. Olin College also took home our Knovelty Prize for the Most Inspired and Creative Design.
HPVC West. At the Utah Race, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology dominated once again, earning the highest scores in both the endurance and the design competitions, and Montana State University was right behind them, placing 2nd. And of course, our coveted, Knovelty Prize went to Cal State Chico!
The Highlights:
(above) University of Central Florida leaving the competition in the dust
This dude’s got the finish line on his mind.
(above) Woo Hoo! Congrats to Olin College for Taking Home the Knovelty Prize!
For more info on the Human Power Vehicle Challenge click here, or look out for more updates on the K-Exchange Blog.
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