Human-powered cars rev up for MIT’s Inaugural Cardboard Cup

18 November 2013

Human-powered cars rev up for MIT’s Inaugural Cardboard Cup

“Drivers start your engines” takes on a different meaning at Manukau Institute of Technology on Wednesday 20 November.

47 Bachelor of Technology and Engineering students are lining up to participate in MIT’s Inaugural Cardboard Cup Race in vehicles they’ve designed and built from scratch using cardboard and less than $50 of materials.

It’s the unique and very entertaining culmination of a first year Design and Drawing paper taught by Engineering lecturer Franz van Dalen.

“The Cardboard Carton race introduces our students to basic design theory using a project that encourages teamwork, imagination and a little bit of inspiration,” van Dalen says.

“The brief was to build a ‘human-powered vehicle’ and my students have spent the past ten weeks working through the design process from inception to production. I think we’re going to see some pretty unique end products at the start line on Wednesday.”

Ahead of the race, an expo is being held for competing teams to display their vehicles and share the theory behind their chosen design. The expo is open to the public, and visitors can vote for their favourite vehicle.

The expo presentation contributes to the students’ overall assessment for the course, and the class is also producing a report for IPENZ magazine that showcases the skills they’ve learnt through the course to the wider engineering community in Auckland.

“Everyone’s gearing up for the big race on Wednesday,” Franz says. “They’re a competitive bunch and it’s going to be a fast and furious race to the finish line. We’re hoping to get good supporter turn out from both students and the public.”

Fast facts about the MIT Carton Cup: Expo time: midday – 12:20pm Race time: 12:30 – 1pm Race & Expo date: Wednesday 20 November Race & Expo location: D Block, South Campus, Manukau Institute of Technology, entry via Gate 5,
Otara Road Who’s racing: 12 teams of 47 first year Bachelor of Technology & Engineering students from Manukau Institute of Technology Who’s supporting: the event is free to watch. Both students and the public are very welcome.
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