Michigan Tech Takes FutureTruck Technology Award
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HOUGHTON--The Michigan Technological University team received the Best Use of Advanced Vehicle Technology Award June 13 at the 2001 FutureTruck competition. Thirteen universities from across the U.S. competed in FutureTruck this year. Sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy, participants were challenged to take a perfectly good sport utility vehicle (in this case, a Chevy Suburban) and make it even better. The goals were to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse-gas and other exhaust emissions while maintaining the performance, safety, and features that consumers expect. Michigan Tech was honored primarily for its powertrain design, which incorporated a sophisticated electrical continuously variable transmission with a hybrid gas and electric powered engine. In addition, the team replaced the usual rear- and side-view mirrors with a camera system to improve the driver's visibility and were praised for their use of aluminum and other innovations in the suspension system. Nevertheless, the team finished seventh, a disappointment for team members and their advisor, Dr. John Beard, an associate professor of mechanical engineering. However, Beard said later, the lessons learned will be applied in next year's FutureTruck contest. "We'll learn from our mistakes and from what other teams did. And we'll be driving our truck a lot," he said. While Michigan Tech performed well, it faced stiff competition in the areas of emissions and mileage. "We had some trouble with emissions, and we fell short in fuel efficiency," Beard said. "We have a very complicated transmission, and it's been hard to get it right." Unlike most entries, MTU's Suburban used an automatic transmission. "Most schools were using manual transmissions," Beard said. "But you can't put that in a Suburban and sell it." Manual transmissions are more fuel efficient, but they account for only about 5 percent of the market. So to keep their SUV customer friendly, the Tech team opted for a technologically advanced automatic. The Michigan Tech team also excelled in towing a trailer--7,000 pounds up a 7 percent grade--and in the off-road event. "The industry people loved our vehicle; they said it was very well designed," Beard said. "I wanted to see them win, but they gave it a great shot." The University of California at Davis took first place in FutureTruck, followed by the University of Wisconsin at Madison, the University of Maryland, Georgia Tech, Cornell University, and West Virginia University. MTU was the only Michigan university participating in the competition this year. The FutureTruck competitive events were held June 4-11 at the General Motors Milford Proving Ground, in Milford. On June 13, the vehicles moved to a finishline ceremony at the Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington, DC. The awards ceremony was held later at the Smithsonian. For more information, contact Beard at 906-487-3110 or jebeard@mtu.edu. You can visit the FutureTruck Web site at http://www.futuretruck.org. Other possible contacts: Dr. William McGarry, vice president
for finance and administration at MTU and a FutureTruck supporter, 906-487-2642,
wjmcgarr@mtu.edu |
