MAE solar car project : dynamics and control

Abstract

With the current global trend of promoting the use of clean and renewable energy sources, the MAE Solar Car Project, initiated in 2006, was aimed to design and build a solar car to represent the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore to compete in various solar challenges across the region. Alternatively, the solar car serves as a continuous research and development platform for students. The project is mainly divided into five components consisting of Suspension, Dynamics and Control, Chassis, Propulsion, Braking and Steering, Aerodynamics and Composites. This report is focused on the investigation of the Dynamics and Control of the solar car and the analysis on stability and safety aspects of the vehicle when racing in the targeted race events. Investigation shows that even solar cars from top universities faced accidents during the race with one crashing into their own lead vehicle and the other had a blown tire which caused the car to flip and deem unsafe for the rest of the race. Although in both cases the driver remained unharmed, it is undeniable that more focus should be placed on safety. Race car stability and safety aspects should be given a much consideration in this project.