It was an honour for me to mentor 61 students across five Australian Technology Network (ATN) member universities over 20 months to design, engineer, build, develop and field Priscilla, the lightest, quickest and fastest Cruiser Class solar-electric vehicle in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. The ATN Solar Car Team claimed pole position in class and tenth overall during flying lap qualifying at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex.
The ATN Solar Car Team’s Cruiser Class solar-electric vehicle also served as an Australian talent and technology showcase, featuring world-leading, Australian made sub-systems and components, including MoTeC display, control and logging system, Prohelion battery pack, Tritium motor controllers and CSIRO/Marand wheel motors.
Priscilla’s exterior was developed by student Matt Millar, who also served as the team’s Build Leader during vehicle assembly and Lead Solar Car Driver during the Event.