Written by Melody Klingenfuss, Cal State L.A. Communications Manager
The California State University, Los Angeles electrical team has done just that: work hard, train hard since the launching of EcoCAR 3. The team understands that being successful involves not only getting deliverables covered, but also preparing to get these responsibilities done through electrical engineering program training.
In order to soar above the challenges and difficulties of designing the electrical plan for the EcoCAR 3 Camaro, the team has focused on the idea of knowledge transfer (teach and learn). The electrical team has held a day-long workshop over the weekend (Yes! Students are giving up weekend time for EcoCAR) and learned programs such as MathWorks from MATLAB on campus.
On another occasion, the controls team held training with a MathWorks mentor in Torrance, CA. The team believes that learning how to use these programs will increase productivity by allowing team members to develop individual knowledge they can apply by themselves to any EcoCAR 3 task and even further, to their academic assignments.
In addition, the electrical team gave up winter break to continue training with useful programs to help them achieve success in all deliverables, in addition to technical training and documentation. The team will be practicing by training on the EcoCAR 2 vehicle from a new perspective, analyzing every component from beginning again, then setting up new procedures for the vehicle’s components and analysis to help prepare for the new vehicle components.
“… We believe in this competition. We believe in something greater than ourselves that takes time, sacrifice, and many times long periods of extended work. But we are willing to do that commitment 100 percent,” said electrical lead Luis Elias.
