Challenge
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39 comments
Thanks a lot Karolina! Actually, we thought it was a crazy idea at first, but surprisingly, the more we did research, the more it seemed like something at least worth building a prototype for. Anyway, I think people actually had this kind of idea or something like it in science fiction books before we did and it was on Mythbusters, so to be honest, I don't think it's super new. It's just super interesting (to me at least), that it could probably be done with stuff that's readily available now at a decent cost.
17th February, 2010 @ 11:54 PM CEST
great idea!!!! and great video too. you have my vote!!!
19th February, 2010 @ 9:52 PM CEST
Aik Heng Yap | Youth Advisory Board
i'm glad you guys chose to develop this, cause i'm a big fan.. can't vote la so too bad but well.. good luck..
21st February, 2010 @ 2:42 AM CEST
Hi Aik,
It's an interesting idea, especially when it looks executable for a reasonable budget. NUS seems to have some funding to cover that, so we're looking at some funding schemes.
Good luck! (like the style of your video.. the touched thing might work sooner than you think.. )
21st February, 2010 @ 2:48 AM CEST
Hey I clicked vote several times but nothing happened...have I voted? anyway, great job guys! interesting idea and very cute video :D it's a good use of the infra-red. however what if there is a line of cars behind a truck, or if there are actually a line of trucks behind one truck? does that truck in front then move to go in line with those behind it? or won't it actually deliver the same effect if there is a truck-lane? but to my understanding a lot of trucks drive at night and the road then is full of trucks anyway so ... but well done guys a very neat idea. I like it :)
23rd February, 2010 @ 12:35 PM CEST
as usual u guys can do great video! it might be a bit hard to educate the truck drivers about this new tech
23rd February, 2010 @ 4:51 PM CEST
great idea! real situation is more complicated, but hope you guys can put it into reality!
23rd February, 2010 @ 4:51 PM CEST
Zhikica Pagovski | Ambassador
Very professional video ! I like your idea too. I think it is achivable! You got my vote! Good luck!
please look at our solution at http://challengefuture.org/tea ms/396/solutions/853
i count on your vote and feedback
24th February, 2010 @ 5:35 AM CEST
Ana Hederih | Youth Advisory Board | Ambassador
Hello. You have our vote. Please check out our solution at http://challengefuture.org/tea ms/333 (team cartman). Hope we get your vote too. :)
24th February, 2010 @ 10:05 PM CEST
Kayode Nubi | Youth Advisory Board
I gotta say... this happens to be the only presentation so far that got me sit-up-straight. Really good presentation and looks like you guys did your homework well.
Only if I could vote I would but being in the same challenge kind of makes that impossible but for what it's worth. This is the best tech-based solution i've seen so far as it incorporates the economic value to it.... Thumbs up!
26th February, 2010 @ 10:09 AM CEST
@Yet Feng:
Thank you! Yes, we understand that the truck drivers might be difficult to convince, but I think everyone can play their part. What's more, they can save money and feel good about helping the environment. We understand that behaviour is very difficult to change.
@John Yan:
Hi John, we absolutely acknowledge that building a working prototype is difficult. Do you have any advice for us? However, we think this idea is executable with off the shelf components. =)
@Ana
Thank you!=) We will try to give some feedback on your idea too. It's interesting! =)
@Zhikica Pagovski
Thank you!
@Kayode Nubi
Wow.. that's really nice of you. Thanks a lot! If you think we can improve on anything, please tell us. We will look at your idea too. It's great to have feedback from our friends around the world..
26th February, 2010 @ 11:33 AM CEST
Jatin Kataria | Ambassador
Heyy lovely.. nice concept ...
very innovative... never thought of..
awesome video....
27th February, 2010 @ 8:18 AM CEST
It seems like a good effort for the challenge and thus - nice result.I would love to see you on finals :)
If you have time check our solution :)
http://challengefuture.org/tea ms/443
For sure voting for this one.
28th February, 2010 @ 10:25 PM CEST
Hi Ryan,
First: I like the video. You need this kind of presentation to try and convince somebody (it does not matter how good the idea is)
That said I have to say that I don´t see the point. I mean, at least in Europe every single Truck driver knows that and they "manually" position their tracks to take advantage of this. You can see rows of trucks up to 20 following a perfect line in our roads...
It might be different in America (they are not very smart nor efficient for enviromental stuff) and asia (highways in asia are not very old and truck drivers not very experienced)
Anyway I like the idea as an exercise!
Besides check this site of a Spanish Engineering team (use translate or ask me for translation). They designed a spoiler for the rear part of the tracks that improves eficiency a lot (some data provided)
http://www.20minutos.es/notici a/384425/0/aleron/alonso/valen cia/
http://www.sdr-sys.com/
3rd March, 2010 @ 10:49 AM CEST
nice idea, Team etoile liked it!
Pls see also our solution; give a hand tou us and vote back if you like :)
http://challengefuture.org/tea ms/491
3rd March, 2010 @ 10:53 PM CEST
I like the setup of the whole video presentation as it simplified the entire idea while sending the main point effectively across to the audience. This is especially important if a non technical person is viewing the video. the soundtrack that accompanies that video is very soothing and complement the presentation well by making it very easy going on the ear. This further helps to grab the attention of the view.
As in the idea, my only consideration is on the safety concern. It is not that clearly shown the distance between two trunks that is necessary for a effective cost saving to be reaped. The close proximity between two trunks as seen from the video, looks frightening to me if it was implemented in real life. If the one in front had to do an emergency stop, I can't imagine what will happen behind. Perhaps, this can be briefly included.
Overall, I like the idea and video presentation. Simple but effective.
4th March, 2010 @ 7:53 AM CEST
Hey, guys. It's a good idea and a great job you have done!!!
I think you can make it even better if more studies can be done on whether it is practical on the road. I read something about this before, and some people claim that, in order for the effect of slipstream to be significant enough, the two vehicles must be quite close to each other - so close that it would be a terrible violation to the road safety principles.....
a bit more experiments or simulations may serve to test the applicability of the idea. -- That's just my unqualified suggestions :)
The idea is just awesome and I enjoyed watching this eye-catching video
4th March, 2010 @ 2:45 PM CEST
Hi Guys Thank You for your comments ! It was very helpful !
@Wang Pai - Yeap we used Comsol multiphysics to work on the simulating traveling distances and we found that the force per unit area of the trailing vehicle is up to 40% lesser up till traveling distances of 60 meters. So thats still quite a good amount of saving without even being that close :) As long as the vehicle travels tgt, they get to save some fuel :) Thanks for your impt input !
4th March, 2010 @ 2:55 PM CEST
@ Edmund, thanks dude! I think its a very very good point. SAfety is the linchpin in this entire Idea. Honestly I would be lying through my teeth if we say we could perfect it, what we could do is to produce a proof of concept using RC cars and let a professional team develop it - which is a more feasible way :) But thanks for your input too Bro !
4th March, 2010 @ 2:57 PM CEST
ali kazmi | Ambassador
thats creativity... such ideas are always welcome
My vote for you
View our solution and vote for us:
http://challengefuture.org/tea ms/135/solutions/819
4th March, 2010 @ 4:25 PM CEST
Nice idea. I'll definitely vote for you guys.
Great simulations by the way. Safety distance is really good at 60m, and airflow at 100km/h. But assuming that big vehicles moving at 100km/h is a bit big a figure. I don't think it's within the speed limit for big vehicles.
Also sand would be a big problem for sensitive equipment like cameras and sensors. They may work in the lab where it's clean, but can they withstand sand hitting them at high speeds?
5th March, 2010 @ 3:36 AM CEST
me too, actually i see this before where a cyclist try to break bycycle speed world record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Py94okBKDU0
6th March, 2010 @ 4:54 PM CEST
Karolina Stawinska
Wow guys! This is like the most innovative concept I have seen so far! Amazing and a professional movie! :) I really hope you guys go to the finals so you have a chance to develop this concept..its awesome! :)
Let me know if you guys have any feedback on our concept: (although we tried to, the animation failed..and its just slides :( ) http://challengefuture.org/tea ms/517
Good luck! :)
17th February, 2010 @ 6:29 PM CEST