Written by: Kha Vi An Tran
As we wrap up Year 3 of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, the University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) has made tremendous strides in advancing our vehicle development, team growth, and outreach initiatives. Each subteam has contributed to the overall success and we are excited to share our accomplishments along with the key sponsors who have supported us along the way.
Connected and Automated Vehicle Subteam (CAVs)
The Connected and Automated Vehicle Subteam (CAVs) has made significant strides in enhancing the vehicle’s automation, safety, and communication systems. Key accomplishments include implementing collision avoidance technologies using LiDAR, radar, and cameras, as well as refining emergency braking and lane-keeping assist systems in accordance with ISO 26262 safety standards. The team also improved communication capabilities by enhancing V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication, integrating the CAN Bus system, and enabling cloud connectivity for real-time data exchange. Additionally, advancements in the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) were made, incorporating touchscreens, driver assistance alerts, and augmented reality dashboards to improve vehicle interaction. These achievements were made possible with the support of sponsors and tools such as dSPACE (Autera, RTMaps), MathWorks (MATLAB/Simulink, Roadrunner Simulator), NXP (NavQ Plus), Vector (CANAlyzer), tesa (tesa tapes), and Cohda Wireless (Cohda radios).
Systems Design Integration Subteam (SDI)
The Systems Design Integration (SDI) team has been dedicated to a major redesign and integration of the vehicle’s systems, improving both high-voltage (HV) and low-voltage (LV) electrical architectures to enhance overall performance. A key focus was strengthening vehicle data communications to ensure seamless interaction between various components, while also refining the system architecture to support advanced automated and connected functionalities. In addition to technical advancements, the team successfully executed a large recruitment push, expanding the roster and strengthening the team’s capabilities. These achievements were made possible with the support of sponsors including General Motors, Magna, Siemens, and tesa tape.
Propulsion Controls and Modelling Subteam (PCM)
The Propulsion Controls and Modelling (PCM) team has played a crucial role in optimizing the electric powertrain’s performance and efficiency. A major milestone was successfully testing and calibrating electric motors on the test bench to ensure they operate efficiently under varying loads. The team also advanced chassis control systems by implementing torque vectoring, optimizing regenerative braking, and enhancing traction control to improve vehicle stability. Additionally, vehicle testing efforts focused on achieving and validating key competition requirements, including performance metrics, safety compliance, and software functionality. These accomplishments were made possible with the support of GM mentorship, technical guidance, and various simulation and modeling resources.
Project Management Subteam
The Project Management team played a vital role in streamlining team operations and ensuring efficient collaboration across subteams. By gaining an in-depth understanding of the five technical subteams, they were able to facilitate better coordination and communication. They also developed a comprehensive project execution plan, enhancing workflow efficiency and milestone tracking. To further optimize processes, the team transitioned from MS Planner to Jira, improving project management capabilities and fostering better cooperation. Additionally, they adopted Agile methodologies to enhance flexibility and adaptability in project execution. These efforts were supported by GM, whose mentorship contributed to the team’s success.
Mobility Challenge Subteam
The Mobility Challenge team played a key role in strengthening UWAFT’s outreach efforts, particularly by building strong university partnerships. A major achievement was establishing a solid foundation with EngOutreach at the University of Waterloo, fostering collaboration to engage students in STEM education. Through this partnership, the team hosted two educational events, providing students with hands-on experiences and valuable insights into engineering, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Communications and Business Subteam
The Communications and Business team has made significant strides in enhancing team visibility, morale, and community engagement. Their outreach efforts extended to forming strong partnerships with Suddaby Public School, where they conducted STEM education sessions for over 200 students, introducing them to car design, sustainability, and electricity. Additionally, they organized impactful events, including a high school hackathon that brought together over 120 students from 10 GTA schools and an elementary school STEM symposium in collaboration with two other University of Waterloo student design teams. These initiatives were made possible with the support of local sponsors such as Sweet Dream Tea Shop and mentorship from Argonne National Laboratory, helping the team expand their reach and strengthen community connections.
Overall Sponsor Recognition
UWAFT’s Year 3 success would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. GM has provided invaluable mentorship and resources that have propelled our project forward. Additional thanks go to Siemens, Magna, MathWorks, dSPACE, NXP, Vector, tesa tape, Cohda Wireless, and local sponsor, Sweet Dream Tea Shop, for their contributions.
As we move into Year 4 of the competition, we are excited to build on our progress, push technological boundaries, and continue fostering the next generation of engineers and innovators. Thank you to all our team members, sponsors, and supporters for being part of our journey!
