Car-making has returned to Tonsley and Flinders University is in pole position to integrate new-era technology in sustainable transport systems.

Emerging unmanned vehicle and solar technology is giving Flinders University a springboard for its research efforts in new-era electric motor and solar vehicle development.

Flinders is joining forces with this year’s Darwin-Adelaide Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and the Australian Driverless Car Initiative to build its capabilities in these fields.

“Our researchers already have knowhow in autonomous vehicles,” says  transport systems expert Professor Rocco Zito, Head of Civil Engineering, at Flinders’ School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

“We have autonomous catamaran and land vehicle prototypes which combine systems integration with our robotics, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering expertise.

“And we are aiming to develop an electric vehicle that will also have autonomous functionality to drive itself in the next World Solar Challenge in 2017.”

Flinders’ two autonomous vehicles, for land and water applications, will be on display at the International Driverless Cars Conference in Adelaide next month.

Researchers led by Associate Professor Karl Sammut, at the Centre of Maritime Engineering, Control and Imaging at Flinders at Tonsley, are working with Saab Australia and other partners to develop the unmanned vehicles.

Trials of Volvo’s advanced driverless cars are planned for the Southern Expressway after the international conference.

Starting this week, Flinders will observe some of the most advanced solar technology during the World Solar Challenge.

Coordinator of the 2017 Flinders vehicle project, Flinders senior lecturer Dr Stuart Wildy, says a fully electric vehicle will be built at Flinders’ new facilities at Tonsley.

“Our entry will capitalise on our experience building fuel-efficient, alternative vehicles for an annual formula competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers,” he says.

The Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology is also working on new solar cells and improving on traditional solar technology.

The projects also raise hopes that solar-powered autonomous vehicles could one day be used in local public transport systems on its Tonsley and Bedford Park campuses.

Flinders has signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian road research leader the ARRB Group, putting the University on a firm footing to deal with future prospective partners including Bosch, Volvo and the RAA.

The Executive Dean of Science and Engineering Professor Warren Lawrance says Flinders University is excited to be able to bring a new generation of solar thinking to the development of its ‘smart car of the future’.

“The World Solar Challenge presents Flinders with the opportunity to develop a prototype vehicle that we hope will go on to have widespread practical application,” says Professor Lawrance.

“Our ultimate vision is for a fully autonomous, driverless, solar powered vehicle to ferry passengers between our campuses.”

This year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge has attracted 46 teams from 25 countries. They are are striving to make the Adelaide finish line by Sunday 25 October or before, in their bid to deliver the world’s most efficient electric car.

World Solar Challenge Event Director Chris Selwood says Flinders’ cutting-edge research and development facility at Tonsley Park is a catalyst for their future participation.