Students to showcase projects at expo
PETROLHEADS are gearing up for the annual Cars in the Park exhibition that will take place in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
Students and staff at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will be showcasing their most prized mechanical engineering design-projects – the Wing-In-Ground Effect (WIG) Flying Hovercraft, the Hulamin Solar Car, the Mamba Electric Vehicle, the Human Operated Recumbent – Electric Trike (THOR-ET), the Smart Technology Pedal Bus and a beloved 1926 Ford Model T, named Tin Lizzie.
Professor Glen Bright, head of the School of Mechanical Engineering, said the unique innovations would be brought together to tell a story of the evolution of engineering design and transportation through time.
“With the exception of the Ford Model T, which was refurbished, these amazing transport innovations were designed and developed from scratch by the students, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
“We are proud to showcase this exceptional work to the public,” he said.
Patrons can look forward to demonstrations of both the WIG Flying Hovercraft and the Mamba Electric Vehicle.
And for those who want to get a real feel of the vehicles, students will be welcoming people to test-drive both the Pedal Bus and the THOR-ET throughout the day.