Students design cars for physically handicapped

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Chennai, Feb 6 (UNI) Innovative sparks in the minds of young engineering students came to the fore at a national contest for designing and fabricating a car specially designed for the physically disabled at SRM University in suburban Kattankulathur here today.

'INNO-HAP'2007' was a unique contest that brought out the skills of second and third year Mechanical Engineering students.

Organised by the University's School of Mechanical Engineering and the Society of Automotive Engineers, morethan 80 students from various parts of India displayed vehicles designed and fabricated by them.

The team from the host University led by Sai Ganesh, a third year student, had on show a car fitted with a single control clutch, brake and reverse-guided system supported by camera and display screen.

The car christened 'Gravity' would provide 30 km per litre as it was fitted with an autorickshaw engine, Sai Ganesh said.

'We have spent about Rs 40,000 towards production and it can be placed in the Rs 60,000 segment', he said and added that the car was designed for people who suffered from disorders of the lower limbs.

Not to lag behind, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering students, with their car 'N-Vision' said they did it for a noble cause. 'We don't want to price it more than Rs 55,000,' team leader Guru said and added that the car could be operated with a joystick, with one hand. It was fitted with a Mahindra motor.

The second team from SRM University created 'Dextrous' with special protection in case of accidents. It had a host of safety features like seat belts, better suspension, disc and drum brakes for speed control. This too could be steered with one hand.

Southern Railway Additional General Manager R Ramanathan, who inaugurated the 'INNO-HAP'07' was amazed at the innovative skills of the young engineers and complimented their creativity.

'Though the theme of INNO-HAP was innovate for physically disabled to improve on the existing modes of transportation for them, I look it as 'Innovation Happening', he said after a chat with students.

'More better, reliable, economic and comfortable designs of vehicles for physically handicapped are the need of the hour', he said and hoped this national contest would unearth hidden talent.

SRM University officials told UNI later the road test of the new vehicles would be held tomorrow and after evaluating performance, three top teams would be given an award of Rs 35,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

UNI

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