RS Supports Tokai University in the World Class Solar Car Race
While constantly striving to provide high quality products and service to engineers in the manufacturing industry. RS has also been actively involved in activities which help to develop future engineers. RS supported a few of the universities programmes for engineering students. In July, RS employees held fun-filled electronic craft workshop for elementary school children to nurture and excite them about the world of engineering
In addition, RS supported the Tokai University Solar Car Team who participated in the Global Green Challenge – a world-class solar car race that will be held in Australia this year. RS provided parts which were used in the solar-powered car. This is RS’ way of contributing to the development of future engineers. With the above, RS employees are proud to be able to play a part in contributing to the society by supporting this global initiative to conserve and protect our global environment.
Tokai University solar car is the first car to cross the finish line in the 3,000km-journey "Global Green Challenge" solar car race!
Held every 2 years, the world's largest solar car race "Global Green Challenge" spanning Australia longitudinally, has seen 4 successive victories by the Dutch team from the 2001 event to the previous 2007 event. This time, the Tokai University has not only defeated the strong Dutch team and also, it is the first Japanese team to win the race since "Honda Dream II", who won the race in 1996.
Despite being in the fourth place in the qualifying round, the Tokai University team started off in leading position since the start of the championship and continued to maintain its leading position for the rest of the race. The team led its competition by over a day, all the way to clinching the championship.
"On the hardware aspect, we worked in cooperation with various local and foreign companies that go beyond the boundaries of the corporate frameworks. On the software aspect, the students worked hard. With everyone's effort, we overcame all the difficulties and led to this victory. Though we had a huge task to accomplish, the students learned the importance of teamwork through this journey. I would like them to take this experience as their assets and in future, strive hard as engineers in the area of energy and environmental conservation."
(Comment of Professor Kimura, Tokai University)
Related Information: Global Green Challenge Official Website (English)
http://www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au/media/media-releases
The Tokai University Solar Car Team, led by Professor Hideki Kimura, consists of 19 members. Most of them are Electronics Engineering students from the Tokai University. Kenjiro Shiozuka, the first Japanese driver to clinch the overall victory in the Dakar Rally that was held in Paris, will be joining the Tokai University Solar Car Team in the Global Green Challenge. The team is now spending hours working together to research on how to improve the efficiency of their solar-powered car.
The Global Green Challenge will span from Darwin to Adelaide with a total distance of approximately 3,000km.
Check out the Light Power Project from Tokai University at
http://deka.challe.u-tokai.ac.jp/lp/
Details on the Global Green Challenge:
Date: October 25th (Sunday) ~ 31st (Saturday) 2009
Location: Australia from Darwin to Adelaide, an overall distance of 3,021 km
Race related reports: http://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/GGC2009/report.html
overview: http://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/GGC2009/ggc.html
