Windsor students out of EV challenge

School doesn’t make final three

University of Windsor’s entry in the Auto Parts Manufacturers’ Association Project Arrow challenge to design an all-canadian zero-emissions vehicle wasn’t one of three finalists announced Thursday.

Moving on to the next stage of development will be entries form British Columbia’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Humber College and Carleton University.

“Project Arrow Phase 1 was really intense, there were so many different dimensions to the project, we learned so much,” said Bailee van Rikxoort, a member of the B.C. entry. “Designing a car entirely remotely challenged our idea of what is possible.”

The University of Windsor was one nine entrants being considered by a judging panel composed of industry experts.

The challenge is aimed at creating a vehicle that will help highlight the capabilities of the nation’s technological, artificial intelligence and manufacturing sectors.

The finalists will now to move forward to Phase 2, Engineering, targeted for September 1, 2020. A concept vehicle will be produced in 2020.

“Project Arrow serves as a call to action to Canadian automotive parts manufacturers to design and develop the next generation of transportation for their country,” said FCA’S head of design Ralph Gilles, who was one of the judges.

Project Arrow is the APMA’S response to the prime minister’s call to action for a net-zero-emission economy by 2050. Envisioned as an all-canadian, zero-emissions, lightweight, concept vehicle to debut in 2022, it was revealed at CES2020 in Las Vegas and will serve as a premier showcase of Canada’s automotive technology.