Ferris State University will host teams from more than 30 universities in the Human
Powered Vehicle Challenge April 26-28. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
oversees the international competition.
The ASME competition offers engineering students an opportunity to demonstrate the application of sound engineering-design principles in development of sustainable and practical transportation alternatives, according to its website. Teams of students are challenged to design and build efficient human-powered vehicles.
“Judges want to see a sound design that is well-thought-out and well-executed,” said Brian Brady, an associate professor in the university’s College of Engineering Technology and advisor for the Ferris team. “They want to see something that either nobody has done before or something that is done in a very different way or more successfully than in the past.”
The competition, which will take place at various locations on the Ferris campus and in Big Rapids, will include a safety inspection, speed race, innovation showcase and a drag race.
Volunteer engineering professors and engineers from across the country will serve as judges.
This will be Ferris’ fourth time participating in the competition. The Ferris team typically beginscreating design ideas and raising funds as soon as school begins in the fall. Building started this month (January 2013).
“The competition allows students to consolidate the knowledge they have gained in classes and focus it on something that is tangible.” Brady said. “They can see how all of the things they learn in different classes work and interact together in a design of their own making.”
The April competition at Ferris covers the eastern region of the United States and Canada. The HPVC West competition is April 12-14 in California, and the HPVC Latin America event is Feb. 22-24 in Venezuela.