We would like to specially recognize and thank Michael Broudy at
rushImprint for supporting the team. He has donated global flying discs
which will be used to promote the University of Michigan Solar Car Team
this January at the North American International Auto Show.
The University of Michigan Solar Car Team would like to thank Jason Miller and InkHead for their generous sponsorship of the team. InkHead has provided the team with promotional items, including water bottles and drawstring bags, for the North American International Auto Show this January where hundreds of thousands of people will see Continuum on display.
Inkhead sells promotional products including:
Personalized Pens
Custom Water Bottles
Custom Backpack
Once again, we’d like to thanks Jason and InkHead for their support!
Tonight the team accepted the second round of members into the Core Group.
The UMSolar Core Group is comprised of the team’s most driven and involved members, dedicated to achieving the team’s vision while upholding a positive culture and atmosphere. Core members are selected to this exclusive group for their initiative in furthering their own knowledge, participating actively in team events, contributing to a championship-caliber team, and maintaining personal qualities of the highest order. The Core Group demands great levels of commitment and ingenuity to achieve success. In return for their efforts, Core Group members will receive unparalleled benefits and opportunities from the team.
In addition to filling out a detailed application, the students accepted to the Core Group fulfilled divisional requirements and demonstrated a strong commitment and passion to their division leader.
We were impressed by the number of applicants to the Core Group, and would like to thank all of those who applied.
Infinium 2009 Core Group members:
Executive Committee
Alex Dowling, Strategy Director
Chris Hilger, Sourcing Director
John Federspiel, Engineering Director
Julia Hawley, Business Director
Steven Hechtman, Project Manager
Engineering Division
Adolphus Lim
Akihiro Suzuki
Apoorva Bansal
Brian Whitney
Chris Verga
Deeana Ijaz
Dylan Reitzel
Eric Relson
Ethan Stark
Gabriel Arroyo
Jeremy Nash
Jonathan McNutt
Kapil Sawlani
Kevin Zhang
Lokesh Janarthanam
Matt Van Eck
Sam Haberl
Scott Coblitz
Shivang Naik
Shoichiro Suzuki
Sudeep Rohatgi
Tanya Das
Ted Goldstein
Tom Fick
Ying Yi Lim
Zhaori Cong
Business Division
Anthony Chen
Blaine Riley
Brian Pak
Demian Lee
Jyo Sinha
Kevin Yeh
Maria Lee
Philip Kim
Sarah Avellar
Shreyas Hirekhan
Steve Durbin
Operations Division
Ethan Lardner
Nancy Tseng
Rachel Unger
Strategy Division
Aubrey da Cunha
Josh Feldman
Santosh Kumar
Two Fridays ago, myself and a group of my teammates went to a local corn maze to relax and enjoy the fall season. Below are some pictures from the visit:
The group before entering the maze. Jeff Rogers was entertaining us with his Frankenstein impression.
Us navigating through the maze.
Afterwards a number of us headed to Steve’s apartment to surprise him with a birthday cake.
Steve extinguishing the flames.
Now time to get back to coding…
- Alex Dowling, Strategy Director
Over the summer months a small group spent countless hours in the Wilson Center conference room developing goals and dreams in order to create a unique image for the Infinium project. Looking at past teams for inspiration, we created a mission and vision statement that reflected the specific goals we were determined to accomplish. These meetings set the stage for the entire project. We challenged ourselves to think outside of the usual solar car standards to create a project that went beyond solar racing. This is how the image for the Infnium project was born.
Motto: Infinium 2009: No Limit
We wanted the team motto to be something inspirational, something that encouraged everyone not only to challenge themselves to be the best, but to be better than the best. We wanted each person on the team to embody the idea that when you absolutely dedicate yourself, anything is possible.
Vision: To be the best solar car team in the world, leading in performance and innovation.
We want to be the team that is known for creative innovations. A team that thrives under pressure and is never satisfied until our goals are met or exceeded. We will never take “no” as an answer.
Mission: The University of Michigan Solar Car Team is comprised of the most talented and driven members of the University from a wide array of disciplines. By developing the best traits within each student, these individuals unite as a team in pursuit of unprecedented excellence. The team implements cutting-edge technology and creative innovations to produce and race a world-class solar car. Extending beyond racing, the team reaches out to the local, national, and international communities. Through partnership with the best companies and individuals, the team’s internal strength translates into external success, driving it to be the best solar car program in the world.
Break down by section:
1. “…the most talented and driven members of the University…”
With the ambitious goal of taking first in the World Solar Challenge, we knew that we had our work cut out for us and we were going to need a stellar team in order to build the best car possible and win the World Championship. We looked for the best and the brightest students at the University in order to build the strongest team.
2. “By developing the best traits within each student…”
This is one of the most important parts of the Mission Statement, a new commitment to the students on the team. We took a hard look at the history of the Solar Car project and found that where many of the past teams broke down was lack of support for the students involved. The Solar Car project is almost impossible to pull off. Each project cycle, there is a group of students on the team that dedicate their lives to the project and make a promise to themselves and their teammates that they won’t stop until the project succeeds. It is because of these students that the project is where it is today, but the team takes a lot out of them. Balancing school and other responsibilities while putting in anywhere from 50-100 hours a week, is not a small feat. This year we are making an effort to support these students academically, professionally, and give them a support system. The Solar Car Team now has study hours, professional development such as resume reviews, communication and behavioral training sessions, and guest speakers, as well as team bonding events to create a stronger community within the team.
3. “…cutting edge technology…”
This goes back to the vision statement. In order to win the world race, we are going to have to make sure we are always thinking outside of the box and making sure that we are using the best technology and cultivating creativity within the members of the team.
4. “…the team reaches out to local, national, and international communities…”
The Infinium project wants to have a bigger commitment to the community. We are well aware that our project would not be possible without the help from many generous people and we want to make sure that we are giving back. We wish to teach the public about alternative energy and engineering and to inspire people to “think green.”
5. “….partnership with the best companies and individuals…”
This project is only possible because of the incredible support it gets from people all over the world. Without our sponsors, alumni, and fans, there is no way we would be the most successful solar car team in North America. Even the dream of winning the World Solar Challenge would not be possible without each person who has donated time, money, or resources to this project. Thank you!
Infinium 2009: No Limit.
Go Fast, Go Smooth, Go Blue!
As a team we have the pleasure of sharing our car and experience with many people, but it is not every day that the Executive Chairman of one of our biggest corporate supporters gets under the hood for a good look.
On August 18th the Solar Car Team visited the Ford World Headquarters for a reception with representatives from the Ford Motor Company and the University. Solar Car members mingled with Ford executives and University members sharing their experience on the team and stories from the race.
Both Dean Munson and Steven Hechtman thanked Ford for the support they have given the team over the history of the project and presented Ford with a framed photo of the team.
Bill Ford Jr. made a special appearance to the reception and was very interested in the project. Steve walked him through the systems in the car and told him about the innovations Continuum made. Mr. Ford asked a lot of questions and was impressed with the work that went into the project and how applicable the technology was to the automotive industry. It was very exciting for us to see that there was genuine interest and respect for our project throughout the company.
Steven Hechtman and Bill Ford Jr.
Steven Hechtman and Julia Hawley presenting Bill Ford Jr. with a picture of the team
We would like to thank all of our contacts at Ford for the support and for making this event happen. It was an honor to have the car on display at Ford. This project would not be possible without the in-kind and financial support that Ford provides.
A special thanks to Brad Simmons, Jim Vella, Scott Low, Ed Krause, and all of the other Ford representatives for their continued support and for making this event happen. Your help is invaluable.
Thank you also to Thomas Wojnowski for the fantastic pictures!
Last week, the Solar Taxi visited Ann Arbor as part of the team’s tour around the world. The United States was the 28th country visited by the taxi in a journey of 50,000 kilometers ending at the World Climate Change Conference in Poland.
View of the Solar Taxi’s array sponsored by Q Cell
During the visit, Louis Palmer, the Taxi’s initiator, tour director, and driver, gave a presentation to an audience of students and Ann Arbor locals. Following the presentation, Louis allowed anyone to drive the Taxi around the block. Of course, a few solar car members eagerly took advantage of the opportunity.
Louis explains to Julia Hawley how to drive the Taxi
Jeff Rogers takes a turn behind the wheel
John Federspiel parks the taxi
On Saturday August 16th, Continuum was on the roads again, but this time slowing cruising down Woodward Avenue in Detroit Michigan. Continuum participated in the 15th annual Woodward Dream Cruise, an event that attracts over 1.5 million people and more than 40,000 cars.
People spend the day sitting in lawn chairs lining the side of the road to witness the antique and exotic car cruise. We saw many cars ranging from old Mustangs to Lamborghinis, but I think I can safely say that we were the most unique and expensive car on the road.
The best part of the whole day was hearing people’s reactions as we drove by, “HOLY COW! IT’S A SPACESHIP!”
Steve Driving down Woodward Ave.
(Picture courtesy of Roman Halanski, Jr.)
Jeffery Ferman was confused when we stopped at the gas station to stretch our legs
Look at the Porsche checking us out!!!
The Dream Cruise was a great experience. We had so much fun walking next to the car and talking to the people on the streets. Thank you to all of the parents that waited for us as we slowly made our way. It was great to have fans along the way!
I hope that we will be able to participate again next year!
Go Fast! Go Smooth! Go Blue!
This past week, several students on the team traveled to Traverse City for a week long event at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Our team was able talk to many key executives all across the automotive industry, which allowed each to gain insight to effective leadership and management skills.
Our team had a display set up all week, which showed off Continuum, the 2008 NASC Championship Trophy, as well as many of our machined parts. Everyone at the event enjoyed seeing the car, and learning about the team. Our sponsors also enjoyed the exposure that was generated from the event.
A special thanks to Dave Cole, Debbie Schilz, and all of CAR (Center for Automotive Research) for providing our team with the resources to make the trip happen. More details about the event can be found here
As stated above, we were able to make many invaluable connections, including the opportunity to speak with both Jennifer Granholm and Ted Strickland, Governors of Michigan and Ohio respectively.
Pictures with the Governors can be seen below:
Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm offers to take a picture
with the Team
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher
take a picture with the rest of the team and Continuum
2008 Race Manager, Jeff Ferman and
2009 Business Director, Julia Hawley explain to
Governor Ted Strickland the technology
used in solar racing
In addition to winning the 2008 North American Solar Challenge, our
team won a few other awards. With hundreds of team members, family
members, and sponsors in attendance at the awards ceremony this past
Wednesday, a wonderful meal and ceremony were put on at the Calgary Zoo by
SolarWorld, The University of Calgary, and NASC.
Many awards were given including observer awards and 15 other
important awards that range from best mechanical system to the spirit
of the event award.
The observers award each team with one “paper-plate” humor style
award. This year our team was awarded a “Divining Rod” for our
persistence in finding water at almost each charging location. Our
divining rod is made up of two sticks taped to a third that will point
the user in the direction of a body of water. Hopefully this will be
useful in Australia this upcoming October! By finding any natural
pond, puddle, lake, we were able to dramatically increase the amount
of energy we were able to capture. This helped us to fill our battery pack
multiple times throughout the race.
As for the main awards from NASC, we were given two of the 15 awards.
In addition to winning the 2008 North American Solar Challenge, our
team was awarded the teamwork award. The officials presented this
award to us because of the incredible sense of team and responsibility
that each team member showed throughout the entire event. Dan Eberle,
Race Organizer, explained that he saw team members who knew what they
were doing at all times and were respectful and attentive to what
needed to be done. In addition, the general team attitude was viewed
as being healthy and relaxed while paying special attention to every
detail. This award means quite a bit to the team. Team work has
always been an issue that this team has dealt with and has been
something we have worked hard to achieve over the past year. By
running hundreds of drills and spending many days of testing on the
open road, our team was able to embody the meaning of this award.
Winning the North American Solar Challenge twice in a row is something
this team has been unable to achieve since 1990 and 1993. This,
coupled with the teamwork award, shows the renewed emphasis of members
spanning multiple projects. Congrats to all Michigan Solar Car
members, alumni, sponsors, family, and friends.
