| Daniel Lim |
FOLLOWING hot on the heels of their previous efforts made in the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2017, the team of students from the School of Science and Engineering (SSE), Politeknik Brunei (PB), Lumut Campus, unveiled their latest prototype concept electric car, named Yakin II, which will compete in the Shell Eco-Marathon 2018.
The guest of honour at the unveiling was Denis Ho Mun Tai, Director of Politeknik Brunei.
Also present were representatives of sponsors who provided assistance to make the electric car a reality.
The sponsors include Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM), Brunei Gas Carrier Sdn Bhd (BGC), Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), FYFE Borneo Sdn Bhd, Brunei Transporting Company (BTC), Keluarga Tasmera, Jerudong Park Country Club, FilterWorks Productions, and Mircronet International College.
Aimed at reducing the consumption of battery-electric vehicles and optimising its performance, the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia has two classes for competitors to partake in – the Prototype and Urban Concept.
The team from SSE, PB is taking part in the Prototype class, which will be judged based on efficiency in saving energy, and be environmental and economical friendly.
The Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2018 is scheduled to be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore from March 8-11. Teams from across Asia will compete against each other in the Prototype class which is graded in terms of energy efficiency.
The team from the SSE, Politeknik Brunei, Lumut Campus, comprises seven students and three staff members. They will fly to Singapore on March 6 to make their final preparation to participate in this year’s Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2018.
The event began with a welcoming speech from the Team Manager, Mohammad Hifdzur Azmi bin Mohd Zain, who explained about the new prototype electric car.
The guest of honour and sponsor representatives unveiled the team’s latest creation, Yakin II, to officiate at the ceremony.
In addition to the unveiling, the attendees of the event also observed both Yakin II, and its predecessor, Yakin, circling around the prepared test route.
Mohammad Hifdzur Azmi told the Sunday Bulletin that Yakin II is the culmination of what they learnt and experienced from the previous Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2017.
“Following our participation in the previous Shell Eco-Marathon Asia, we have completely redesigned Yakin II to what you see today,” he said.
He added that various changes have been made to the shape of the vehicle and redesigned it in a teardrop shape to reduce the drag and maximising the distance, speed and efficiency.
“The car is made mostly of carbon fibre material that allowed us to shed more than 50 per cent of the weight as compared to Yakin,” he added. Yakin II’s current estimated weight is around 50kg.
Other change included the 500W brush-less motor.
Mohammad Hifdzur Azmi hoped his team can improve on their previous record of 82.4km/kWh.
Mohammad Najiullah Al-Aqiel bin Dr Md Adi Zaky, the driver for both Yakin and Yakin II, said he is preparing both mentally and physically for the upcoming Shell Eco-Marathon 2018.
“I am now on a diet to maintain my weight as the rules state that the minimum weight of the driver should be 50kg, because weight plays an important role in the efficiency of the car,” he said.
He added that a driver’s stamina is also important which prompted him to participate in various stamina boosting activities including swimming to prepare for the competition.
He hoped that his experience in the previous competition will help improve the efficiency of Yakin II.
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