Bombay: Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay (IIT-B) student has built a unique fuel efficient vehicle. The vehicle may well turn out to be India’s answer to soaring petrol prices, depleting energy resources, and obesity.
Sources say that it does not run on petrol or diesel, but on human energy, at speeds of 50-60 kmph. The IIT team will showcase the vehicle at an international competition for human-powered vehicles at Montana State University, organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It looks like a tricycle, with a single low seat. The driver has to sit in a recumbent position and pedal with force. The low angle of the seat reduces the drag and makes it comfortable for the driver to ride continuously for two hours without breaking into a sweat.
Rohit Singwal, a third-year mechanical engineering student at IIT-B, said that they wanted to create a sustainable and practical transportation alternative for everyday use. He said that people can use it for commuting short distances like nearby work places or within a big campus. Since it involves pedalling, it also has plenty of health benefits.
Furthermore, the team said building the prototype and the final design was difficult owing to lack of resources. Since the material was not available in India, it had to be imported from the US. C Amarnath, IIT-B professor, and project adviser, said that despite these limitations, the students have met international standards and have done a good job. The best speed achieved at such a competition has been 90-95kmph. So, coming first is not the criterion at the moment. The world should appreciate the team’s innovative design.
