Student teams design and build these vehicles to compete in a series of tests and events to determine the best design.
The vehicle must be low in cost, easy to maintain, and reliable and the challenge to the design team is to design and fabricate a prototype vehicle that best meets the competition goals and intents.
This annual event harnesses the creative energy of college students from across the nation in an effort to develop a simple, low-cost utility vehicle that can benefit low-income people in rural areas of developing countries.
Acceleration Test -The event is a timed, head-to-head event that evaluates the vehicle’s acceleration and braking in a straight line.
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Why Important: This event not that important….its more for the race fans and photos!
Agility Course - The pylon course is meant to evaluate the vehicle’s maneuverability and handling qualities on a tight course.
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Why Important: BUVs often travel small roads and often have to maneuver to miss obstacles.
Mud Pit - The mud pit ranges from 1” – 20” of mud. This events tests the vehicles power, traction, ground clearance, and driver skill.
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Why Important: Most of the developing world have a rainy season when the roads get extremely muddy (often impassable).
Obstacle Course - The obstacle course is meant to replicate the many obstacles found on African roads. The BUV must account for the lack of infrastructure. The drivers take two passes (on the second pass they have the option to overcome larger obstacles)
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Why Important: Most rural African roads are in terrible condition and contain many surprises (sometimes cattle, goats, fallen trees, etc)
Mogul Field - Vehicles that have good ground clearance, traction, torque, and low weight tend to perform well on this event.
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Why Important: The mogul field simulates the ditches and gullies that get washed out during the rainy season
Endurance Track - The Endurance Event (Friday) is designed to test the car's reliability. The vehicles run about 10-15 mph on this event and the engines get hot. The drivers can switch off during the 2 hour event. The team is ready to fix the vehicle if a problem occurs.
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Why Important: BUVs often operate in rural areas…often hours from any hope of service. Reliability is critical (and the ability to quickly make a repair is also important).
Oral Report - The presentation event is intended to evaluate the team's ability to describe why their vehicle is the best. The presentation judges will evaluate the organization, content, and delivery of the technical presentation. The team that makes the best engineering presentation (regardless of the quality of the car) will win the event.