Meet Janidu, Team ASCEND 3rd year Mechatronics Engineering student. Janidu is working on completing the rear vision system for the car. The aerodynamic design of a solar car means driver side-mirrors are out of the question, so the rear vision system designed by Janidu will need to ensure a safe field of vision for drivers and comply with #BSWC23 regulations.

What is exciting about the project? What have you learned so far? 

I think the most exciting part about this project for me would be the product realization aspect of it.  It’s one thing to design a part or assembly on CAD, but to see it manufactured and bolted on an electric car that will race other cars across Australia is very exciting. I’ve learned so much from this project in the last year. If I were to summarize my learnings into one sentence it would be “Most things never work the first time and when it comes to motor controllers it can take a hundred tries.”

What would you like to get out of the Ascend Solar Car Project? 

I want to get the experience of working on a large-scale project. I know in the industry, I will have to work in small teams to complete different projects just like we are doing now, so it’s nice to get some experience in a similar environment.

Why did you want to join the team? 

Electric cars are very exciting to me, so I couldn’t give up an opportunity to help build one.

What do you love about the team? 

I love that we are a very tight-knit team. A lot of us are friends outside of this project, so working on the car feels more like a fun group activity with friends.
 

What are some of the challenges you have faced working on the project? 

For me specifically, one area I struggled with was CAD. My cad skills were somewhat sub-par coming into the project. Everyone on the team however was always happy to help, and as a result, my CAD skills improved quickly.  

What is your top highlight from your time on the team? 

I love working with Matt Jennings.

What are you most looking forward to about taking part in the WSC? 

I’ve never been outside Victoria, so I’m excited to see other parts of Australia. I’m also looking forward to destroying the competition.

What is your biggest concern about taking part in the WSC? 

My biggest concern is that we have an irreplaceable part fail on the Solar Car mid-run resulting in us not completing the race.

Anything else you would like to add? 

Pray for us.