Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Rollout 2014!



On May 10th, the Rensselaer Formula Hybrid team officially unveiled our newest car to the RPI community: The DCMS!

Both the electrical and mechanical teams worked hard in the days and morning preceding the event to ensure the DCMS was safe and prepped for an awesome demonstration. After rolling the DCMS out to North Lot for its presentation, the team was rewarded with two amazing test runs. Proving its capabilities as a well balanced hybrid vehicle, the DCMS completed the rigorous testing only using its high voltage system. As a send-off for two of our longtime members, Ricky Willems and Sam Putney were chosen to drive the runs.

Check out an on-board recording of Sam Putney's run here

Check out an on-board recording of Ricky Willems' run here

Our test drives also produced valuable acceleration data for the team. This data is being used to validate and investigate the dynamics of our vehicle. The lessons documented here will allow us to optimize and innovate for future Rensselaer Formula Hybrid car designs.

The success of the DCMS is due in large part to the support of our sponsors. Their donations of time, funding, resources, and products were indispensable not only to creating the car, but also to producing the outstanding experiences and opportunities that our team members benefit from. Rollout was our chance to publicly give back these contributors. On behalf of the entire team, we extend our deepest gratitude to those who have helped us come so far this year. We hope to achieve even more in those to come!







Sunday, June 8, 2014

Second Place in Video Competiton

RPI Formula Hybrid Takes 2nd Place in Video Competition


After Recouping from the strenuous work of competition some of the team member Ricky took inspiration from the car and the team and wrote a song. Also with Sam adding accompaniment with his banjo the song was a hit with the judges.

 From the Official Formula Hybrid website, "Rensselaer Formula Hybrid Team took second place with the Best Original Soundtrack for their video RPI Formula Hybrid Song 2014. RPI's song creatively expresses the student perspective on how to balance the Formula Hybrid life with having a relationship. Well done!"

The song can be viewed here!