My Visit to ERA

Electric RaceAbout-ERA is the runner up of the recent Automotive X Prize. Today I have this great oppourtunity to pay a visit to their workshop where the legend of student built EV is happened.

As I seen from the student poster about ERA:

2 years ago, a group of Finnish engineering students with innovative minds, started an electric vehicle project from an empty table.

Working hard, learning step by step, together with the help of talented teachers and experts, gave us a lot of experience.

The automotive industry is now in the changing point, ERA vehicle project can show that high quality Finnish engineering is ready for that change.

The passion to the automotive world keeps our team to focusing hard to one great goal, success in the Automotive X Prize competition in the summer 2010.

The goal of the Progressive Automotive X Prize is to inspire a new generation of viable, super efficient vehicles to offer consumers more choices and make their lives better as a result.

For me, this looked like a declaration of motivation to me for my future undertaking. My counterparts prove to me this challenge is not impossible for undergrads. They done it superbly well with over 60 partners from industries and government, highly performance car with power train of the future, sporty-eye catching aerodynamic body, and a great deal of knowledge to learn.

I am very excited to see these phenomenons happening around, the trend is starting fast and young. This is the wave that I am gonna to ride.

Following the trail, this lead to another great electric automaker-Tesla Motors. One of the Founder, Elon Musk is a great example to follow.

I will start my project with a WHY as the central value. Why I do this? Those who are in pursuit of WHY will do what is right. So Why?

1^st: To prove that we can have alternative solution to combat global warming. In terms of technology, we must equipped ourselves with technological solution and knowledge to use energy in a more efficient way. In mobility, car is major part in human’s life. Electric vehicle will be the future solution.

2^nd: To redefine Malaysian engineering. German is famous for their upmost quality product, US is leading the innovation and Japan for their depth of research. As a Malaysian engineering student, the best I can do is product a high quality product that can go on par with other counterparts in an international platform.

3^rd: To create new value for future business. Since electric drive will be the solution for mobility, new value will be added to current products. Better motor, better control, better power electronics, better battery, better drive train are the sectors to be market for business in future.  

4^th: The fulfill thirst of knowledge. As for mechanical students, what else could be more interesting and technological demanding than building a car? Electro-Mechanical is the best scope to learn in my bachelor degree.

5^th: To win in the coming Shell Eco Marathon Competition. A platform is needed to prove your work. A defined standard, rules and test track is set up for the engagement of engineering strength for students in Asia. SEM 2012 is my stage.