Two student teams from Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) will take part in the seventh edition of Shell Eco-marathon Asia, to be held in Manila, the Philippines, from March 3 to 6.
Over 100 student teams from all across Asia, Middle East and Africa will gather for the four-day event to showcase, test and drive their self-built, fuel-efficient vehicles on the city streets of Manila.
“A public event celebrating ideas and innovation, the best up-and-coming engineers, designers and inventors, and cutting-edge thinking about energy and mobility, Shell Eco-marathon will be held for the third and final time in Manila, at a specially designed street circuit,” according to a statement.
At the event, student teams are challenged to stretch the boundaries of fuel efficiency in a real-world urban environment, and winners are determined by the mileage achieved on a litre of fuel, rather than speed.
QU’s teams are made up of students from CENG’s departments of mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering. They will be racing alongside students from universities, colleges and technical institutes from 16 countries across the region.
Rob Sherwin, general manager, corporate affairs, and deputy country chairman, Qatar Shell, said: “We are very pleased to see Qatar University once again participating in Shell Eco-marathon Asia. It is very impressive to see the high level of detailed preparations and innovative thinking that the students have demonstrated in the design and assembly of the vehicles.”
Student teams may participate in the Prototype or UrbanConcept vehicle categories of the competition. The Prototype category 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 will focus 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.
Abdulaziz al-Shiebah from the QU Gernas team said, “Shell Eco-marathon is a great opportunity to build teamwork and communication skills while tackling a real-life engineering problem.”
Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2016 will see 24 On-Track awards with prize money of $2,000 for winners in both the Prototype and UrbanConcept categories.
In addition, teams will also vie for five Off-Track awards: communications, vehicle design, technical innovation, safety and perseverance and spirit of the event.