Naza World sponsors Taylor’s University participation in Shell Eco Marathon
The Shell Eco Marathon Asia will be held for the second time in Malaysia this year from 6 to 9 July at the Sepang International Circuit, and among the 121 participating teams from various universities will an entry from Naza World Taylor’s Eco Team comprising entirely of first year students from Taylor’s University School of Engineering.
Participating teams are divided into two categories – urban and prototype – with the winning vehicle being one that achieves the furthest distance using the least amount of energy. Entries are also further divided into their various fuel types – petrol, diesel, gas, solar etc. Taylor’s entry is a solar-powered vehicle, and they will be competing in the prototype category.
Putting the car together was a five-member team, led by Mechanical Engineering student Low Kean Peng, who was also responsible for developing the car’s chassis, steering, and braking mechanism. His team mates are Nur Fatinah binti Abd Aziz, Firnaaz Ahmad, Wong Zhou Hong, and Louis Chia Wai Kit. Their efforts were funded by Naza World, who handed out a RM65,000 cash sponsorship.
A simple ceremony was held this morning at Taylor’s University lakeside campus in Bandar Sunway, where the team’s eco car was unveiled to the media. Fabricated using mild steel and fibreglass, the Naza World Taylor’s eco car is a three-wheeled vehicle, with drive and steering performed by the rear wheel. Its solar cells power a Bosch-sourced impact hand drill motor to provide propulsion to the vehicle.
The Taylor’s team is the only team of the Eco Marathon to be completely made up of first year students, and it shows in certain aspects of their handiwork. The recently concluded Perodua Eco Challenge 2011 saw cars that were better designed and built, although to be fair, the university teams participating in that challenge had more members, each carrying more experience.
For a small team of first-timers, the Taylor’s students’ efforts are commendable, and we wish the best for them on race day, which will take place this Friday, 9 July 2011.
KON
