2003 BUV Design
Competition
Creating Basic Utility Vehicles (BUVs) for
the Developing World
Institute
for Affordable Transportation
| Date: |
May 10, 2003 |
| Attendees: |
Professors, Engineering Students, Manufacturers, IAT Supporters,
Development Agencies |
| Judges: |
Executives
from Industry |
| Sponsor: |
Institute for Affordable Transportation |
2003 BUV
Design Competition
The Third Annual 2003 Basic
Utility Vehicle (BUV) Competition was held on
Saturday in Zionsville, IN in suitable typhoon-like
conditions. Eighteen BUVs and their student teams
endured the weather to compete on the demanding,
waterlogged course. The Canadians (Southern Alberta
Institute for Technology or SAIT) stole the show in
a front-wheel drive, rear steer BUV powered by an
8.5 hp Kohler engine. Along with a three-foot
trophy, they won many prizes from Indiana
businesses, including Indy 500 race tickets. The
Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT)
sponsors the competition to facilitate the low-cost
development of a simple, appropriate vehicle for
building rural economies in the developing world.
The course was carefully
configured by IAT to represent the poor road
conditions common throughout the developing world.
The events were designed to simulate the rugged
terrain and the “worst case” conditions where these
“work” vehicles will serve. All vehicles were
loaded with sand to simulate a working load on all
events. Judges from companies such as Ford Motor
Company, Delphi, Cummins Engine, Rolls-Royce
Turbines, and Transnational Outdoor Power were
present to score the vehicles.
 The
favorite events this year were the Mud Pit and the
Obstacle Course. These events tested both vehicle
and driver skill. The Mud Pit included two
circuits of deep ruts with mud up to 15” deep. Very
few vehicles made it through both circuits without
problem. The University of Missouri BUV (3rd
place overall) won the event using a rear
wheel-drive configuration and a 10 hp Briggs &
Stratton. As vehicles got stuck, the spectators
enjoyed watching the drivers’ teammates push the
lightweight vehicles (500 lb target weight) to
freedom. Sometimes they had to be “rescued” by a
4wd ATV.
The Obstacle Course
included logs, ditches, four foot moguls, rocks,
drops, “frame twisters”, ruts, rain, and of course
mud. The Canadians (SAIT) and the Milwaukee School
of Engineering (MSOE) showed the benefits of solid
axle, front-wheel drive when hitting sizeable
obstacles. Their vehicle tended to “climb” over the
obstacles.
Other events included the
Endurance Test, Swamp Crossing, the Hill climb,
Acceleration Test, Agility Course, Oral Report, and
the Creek Crossing (cancelled due to water depth).
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (2nd
place overall) scored well in all the events and
utilized a design based on recycled automotive
parts.
Many spectators preferred the
Endurance Test and the Acceleration test best
because they could see all the vehicles compete at
once from the comfort of the Big Tent. For most of
the courses, the vehicles were divided into three
groups for simultaneous events. MSOE had a very
impressive documentation with
assembly instructions, a product brochure, Design
Report (1st place), and kitting plan.
Purdue-Indianapolis (IUPUI), last years champion,
had the most entries and their best of three
vehicles tied with MSOE for forth place overall.
The
BUV competition broke new ground on two fronts this
year. It was international (thanks to the
Canadians) and it included a high school division
this year. The high school teams mainly integrate
“junkyard” parts into a vehicle whereas most of the
college teams design a vehicle from the ground up.
The high school shop instructors see the competition
as a great way to teach the students automotive
technology. High
School students from United Church of Christ Youth
Group (Clay City, IN) won first place in the high
school division. They hope to send their BUV to a
missionary in the developing world.
Mooresville
High School fielded two teams
that
placed in second and third place
Many thanks go out to all the
spectators and volunteers that helped organize the
competition. A very special thanks to the students
whose time and effort helped make this years
competition a complete success. Their involvement
provided spectators with many inspiring examples of
ingenuity motivated by the heart’s desire to help. |
