Written by: Ryan Merritt
As we approach Year 4 of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, the Ohio State and Wilberforce University EcoCAR team is celebrating a year filled with significant milestones, vehicle progress, and engineering achievements. During Year 3, our team worked tirelessly to refine our Cadillac LYRIQ’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), validate key vehicle components, and push the boundaries of mobility.
One of our most notable accomplishments during Year 3 was successfully completing all four California Air Resources Board (CARB) competition events, demonstrating our commitment to vehicle efficiency. These events provided our team with invaluable hands-on experience in vehicle testing and validation while reinforcing our focus on meeting stringent industry standards.
Additionally, our team logged an impressive 1,300 miles on our vehicle, allowing us to collect crucial data to refine performance and enhance our vehicle’s capabilities. These miles were instrumental in validating our powertrain, improving energy efficiency, and preparing for future competition milestones.
A key component of our success this year was the strategic scheduling of test track time for Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) development. By securing dedicated track sessions, our engineering team was able to fine-tune our vehicle’s ADAS functionality, improving both safety and performance.
We also capitalized on valuable dynamometer (Dyno) time at the Transportation Research Center (TRC), enabling us to conduct controlled testing and further optimize our vehicle’s powertrain calibration. These opportunities have helped our team gather real-world data, refine our vehicle’s drivability, and enhance its overall efficiency.
During the Year 3 Competition, our team received various awards including 1st Place Mileage Accumulation, 1st Place ACC Feature Evaluation – Sponsored by dSPACE, 1st Place CARB ACC Energy Consumption, and 1st Place Connected Intersection Navigation Challenge, and more. Most notable, we received 1st Place Overall — a testament to our team’s dedication to excellence across every aspect of the competition. This achievement recognizes not only our technical milestones and innovation, but also the strength of our teamwork, our ability to effectively integrate sponsor components, and our commitment to advancing mobility.
Our progress in Year 3 would not have been possible without the generous support and mentorship of our sponsors. General Motors (GM) played a crucial role in our success, with GM mentor Andy Gillett providing expert guidance in testing, validation, and calibration strategies. His mentorship was instrumental in helping our engineers navigate complex development challenges and optimize vehicle performance.
We also leveraged industry-leading hardware and software from our sponsors, ensuring that our team had access to cutting-edge tools for vehicle development. MATLAB software, which runs the entire car, has been a critical component of our vehicle’s functionality, allowing for seamless integration of control systems and optimization of performance. These contributions have been vital in allowing us to push the limits of innovation and prepare for the next phase of the competition.
As we transition into Year 4, our team is more motivated than ever to build upon our successes. With a strong foundation in vehicle testing, ADAS development, and powertrain optimization, we are well-positioned to continue advancing our Cadillac LYRIQ toward the final stages of the competition. We look forward to further refining our vehicle’s capabilities, collaborating with our sponsors, and striving for excellence in the EV Challenge.
The Ohio State University Wilberforce University EcoCAR team remains dedicated to innovation, teamwork, and engineering excellence. We are excited for what lies ahead and can’t wait to showcase our progress in the coming year!
