All-girl teams pedal to limelight

CHANDIGARH: Efficycle-2012, a contest to design the most innovative human-electric power hybrid vehicle is witnessing three all girl teams from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, stealing the show at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) campus.
In what was traditionally a male-dominated contest, these female engineering students have given a fresh outlook to the event that ends on Sunday.From conceiving the idea, designing to fabricating a three- wheel vehicle capable of seating two passengers that cater to day-to-day mobility needs, these students are getting all geared up for the final day. A total of 61 teams are participating.
“The survivors” from Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Delhi, have created a machine christened, “The Zeal”. What makes it stand out is its “mobile charger,” as an add-on feature that runs on motional energy of the cycle. “We decided to include something innovative in the machine and hence this mobile charger,” said Charul Chadha, a team member. This all girls team has seven members, who were busy getting all technical tests cleared for their machine — which cost Rs 28,000 — on Saturday.
Yet another team “G S Racers” from Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science, Indore, created a machine worth Rs 33,970 with a special feature of rear wheel. “We decided to take support through a rear wheel so that the effort to drive the machine is reduced drastically,” said Pooja Kotari, the captain of G S Racers, which comprises 11 members.
The third team, “Acceloracerz” from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha too is an all girls team that is pitted against 60 other teams at the event. On Saturday, all teams were seen testing their vehicles for various things like acceleration, manoeuvrability and gradient to gain credits for cumulative evaluation for prizes.
The machines were tested for their cost, brake and acceleration, design and several other parameters, besides marketing, said Kushal Walia, an organizer of the event.