Open Access

Robert Gaseni Piñol

• The Project "Schluckspecht" of the University of Offenburg consists of participating in the European marathon called "Shell Eco-Marathon"(SEM) which consists of designing and building from the beginning a vehicle with the greatest possible energy efficiency. The University of Offenburg has participated in this project since 1998. The team that forms the Schluckspecht project is made up of aroundThe Project "Schluckspecht" of the University of Offenburg consists of participating in the European marathon called "Shell Eco-Marathon"(SEM) which consists of designing and building from the beginning a vehicle with the greatest possible energy efficiency. The University of Offenburg has participated in this project since 1998. The team that forms the Schluckspecht project is made up of around 30 students from the faculties of mechanical engineering, process engineering, electrical engineering, medical technology and computer science, as well as the degree in Audiovisual Communication. The team was founded in 1998 and since then students have been developing and building high efficiency vehicles to participate in the European marathon Shell Eco. In this project, students can put into practice all the theoretical knowledge obtained during their studies. Also can be learned how to work interdisciplinarity as a team, a skill that for now, many companies or require or seek. The following topics are discussed in the Schluckspecht project, which are also ideal for the work of students: -Conception construction and production of high efficiency vehicles. -Computational design and manufacture of lightweight components and sets. -Development of lightweight components and sets from renewable raw materials. -Construction and development of special test benches, for example: motor test bench. -Implementation and optimization of control strategies for autonomous driving -Mechanical and electrical integration of sensors for autonomous driving -Ergonomic studies and optimization of the driver's cabin. The objective of the project is to develop and manufacture research vehicles that make individual mobility as efficient as possible from an energy point of view. To achieve this, current and future issues of the industry are discussed. In this project, both the theoretical and practical part of the light construction of vehicles and the reduction of friction, the variety of propulsion concepts (electric thrusters, fuel cells, diesel/petrol engines, Stirling engines) and autonomous driving are investigated. The services of the University of Offenburg together with some external partners are grouped together to make this wonderful project work.…