Iowa State University’s Fluid Power Club competed and placed in the virtual Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, which was sponsored by the National Fluid Power Association and hosted by Danfoss Power Solutions.
The ISU Fluid Power Club received both the Best Presentation and the Innovative Use of Electronics Award for their hydraulically-powered recumbent tricycle. To be considered, the team submitted videos of three different races the vehicle had to complete and compete against other university teams.
Members of the club presented their vehicle design to an online panel of industry judges and answered their questions at the conclusion of their presentation. While this is the second year that the competition has been virtual, this year’s students persevered in building and competing with the hydraulically-power vehicle.
“This team rose above the challenges associated with this year, and we were successful in designing, building and competing in a competitive competition,” said Brian Steward, advisor for the club and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering. “This is where the innovators of the future are formed: hands-on experiences with real physical components overcoming obstacles that seem too big to handle.”
The resilience of students within the Fluid Power Club was highly praised, as they have proved time and time again that even a virtual setting and lack of motivation from promises of an in-person competition and awards ceremony won’t put a dent in their efforts, coming out on top.
“We are very proud of the students for finding ways of working together through these unprecedented times to accomplish such a great task,” said Saxon Ryan, ABE assistant teaching professor. “These students serve as an example of how we can all still accomplish great things even during difficult times.”