University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
The first generation of UMNSVP cars, called Aurora, mostly followed the "cutout" design that was typical of the 1990s, with a relatively flat body and a bubble canopy.
All three of the Aurora vehicles had successful trips to international races, culminating in a 4th place in class finish in the 1999 Sunrayce and the team's first competition in the World Solar Challenge in Australia.
The new Centaurus series of cars took the project to a whole new level by allowing the driver to sit upright while driving.
Most notably, Centaurus II placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2010 American Solar Challenge, and Formula Sun Grand Prix, respectively.
Designed for the new cruiser class in the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, Daedalus was the team's first two-seater car and emphasized practicality.
This design allowed it to continue the race, where it placed second just behind Team Sunergy from Appalachian State University.
The UMNSVP team is composed mainly of undergraduate students from the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota.
The faculty advisor is not directly involved with the design or construction of the car, but performs executive duties and serves as a contact to the University.
The current faculty advisor for the team is Professor David Orser (Electrical and Computer Engineering).
Previous faculty advisors include Professors Jeff Hammer, Patrick Starr, Virgil Marple, Paul Imbertson, and Philip Cohen.
These good luck charms include the Counter Sink, and garden gnomes David Chrome Tip and David Chrome Tip Jr.[9] The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project has built 14 cars in its history: Aurora I was the first vehicle built by UMNSVP.
Its chassis was re-used for their 2008 car Mercury II, but unfortunately, troubles with their motor prevented them from qualifying.
Borealis III improved upon its predecessors by stressing efficiency and weight reduction; the car weighs just over 400 lb.
During June and July 2006, Borealis III underwent slight modifications in order to race in the World Solar Rally in Taiwan in September 2006.
In 2014 it was renamed Centaurus π and was refitted with a new electrical system and a vinyl wrap for the 2014 American Solar Challenge.
Designed for the new cruiser class in the World Solar Challenge, it was the team's first two-seater car with an emphasis on practicality.
Eos II incorporated significant aerodynamic and solar array improvements from the previous car.
The following year Eos II won FSGP 2018, and competed in the first ever ASC MOV (Multi-Occupant Vehicle) class, leading the race for over 70% of the distance along the Oregon Trail, before experiencing an unfortunate electrical failure and finishing in 2nd Place.
