We all complain about the rising costs of fuel. Unfortunately, we can't control oil prices. Thankfully, inventors are continuously coming up with innovations and designs for more fuel-efficient vehicles.
This year, engineering students from six of the Philippines' top universities will be taking up a longstanding challenge from Shell: to design, build, and drive a vehicle that can travel the farthest distance on the least amount of fuel and lowest possible CO2 emissions. Team Philippines will be competing in the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2011 (SEM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia soon.
Roberto Kanapi, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation Vice President for Communications, explains, "The Shell Eco-marathon is an annual platform that seeks to inspire innovation and environmental responsibility in today’s youth. Now on its second Asian leg, the SEM will once again encourage young, talented and creative Filipinos to take part in helping develop more sustainable and efficient energy sources, and bring pride to the country.”
This year’s seven teams are composed of some of the most promising engineering students and professors in the country from De La Salle University (DLSU) , Don Bosco Technical Institute, Mapua Institute of Technology, Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), University of the Philippines (UP) and University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Team UP is headed by Tito Eusebio, Jr., TIP’s Team Symmetry is headed by Mark Joseph Balares, UST’s Team 2011 UST Engineering Eco-marathon Team is led by Marco Antonio Fernandez and DLSU’s Team DLSU 100 is headed by Jeffrey Yu. At the helm of Don Bosco’s Team Grigio is Erica Vicera, and heading Mapua’s two teams are Johndelon Mendoza for Team Habagat, and Cyril Radovan for Team Amihan. Together, the teams combine their passion and expertise in system programming, chassis fabrication, engine design and driving to create solutions to today’s growing energy challenges.
The teams will be entering vehicle blueprints in either of two categories: Futuristic Prototypes that yield more streamlined and aerodynamic designs and Urban Concept that focuses on more practical, four-wheeled designs. DLSU is fielding an electric car, UP’s entry is a diesel hybrid, while vehicle designs from other teams will use gasoline.
Set in the famed Sepang International Circuit, the four-day competition seeks to create the most energy-efficient vehicle that will chalk up the furthest distance using the least amount of fuel. It will be the second time that the Philippines will be participating in the international competition. Last year, Team Philippines took home two special off-track awards, with Mapua’s Team Atlanta copping the 2nd place Safety Award and Don Bosco garnering a Special Recognition for demonstrating safety compliance.
With trailblazing automotive technology built on the platform of energy efficiency, the different teams are poised to set a new efficiency record in this year’s SEM. Team Philippines will be competing against over 100 teams from all over Asia come July 6 to 10, and is raring to make a mark in the global race towards developing technology for greater energy efficiency.
For the complete photos of the prototypes, please find them here.
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