32: TUfast Eco

This is our first time participating in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Our design philosophy is based on efficiency, lightweight construction, and safety. Our team started with the Shell Eco-Marathon, where aerodynamic performance and weight reduction were key to achieving high energy efficiency. We are applying this experience to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge by focusing on lightweight design through topology and carbon-layer optimizations. The car is designed to maximize solar energy use while maintaining structural integrity and safety. The goal is to create a reliable and efficient vehicle that operates effectively under real-world conditions.

Our team has a strong background in efficiency, which has helped us break two world records in the past. Thanks to this we have extensive knowledge in topology optimization for our running gear parts, as well as layer optimization for carbon parts, which we are applying in our solar car, lux025. Another key aspect of our car is the in-house development of electronic components, something we have been doing since our founding 16 years ago, which also helps reduce costs. Additionally, our project is closely linked to academic research, with 15 theses contributing to its development.

Since our founding 16 years ago, we have aimed to participate in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, making this a key milestone for our team. The competition allows us to test our innovations under extreme conditions and evaluate their performance in a real-world environment. It also provides the unique experience of traveling through remote locations that we would not visit otherwise. Competing on a global level gives us the opportunity to benchmark our work against top teams worldwide, gain valuable insights, and further develop our technical and problem-solving skills in a highly competitive setting.

Our team is most looking forward to seeing kangaroos, though crossing the finish line in Adelaide was a close second place!