Student inventions make life convenient

 

Join effort: Lectures and young investors of HCM City University of Transport assemble electric scooters — VNS Photos Ha Anh A solar vehicle

by Ha Anh

Solar vehicles, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters are recent innovations created by students at HCM City University of Transport, who aim to make modern life more convenient.

Under the guidance of lecturers Le Cong Danh and Tran Cong Tri, a group of seven students (Nguyen Van Quang, Vo Bao Vinh, Tran Dang Yen, Nguyen Van Dinh, Nguyen Van Dang, Thieu Quang Truyen, and Bui Quang Anh) have successfully designed a solar vehicle.

Two metres long and one metre wide, with a weight of 48kg and a 120wp solar battery capacity, the vehicle can maintain a speed of 25km per hour for up to 45km. It can be automatically charged using sunlight. It is equipped with an additional battery to store energy in case of cloudy days, and is also capable of charging directly from a conventional electric outlet in three hours.

Lecturer Danh says, "The solar vehicle is convenient for internal transportation. Because it consumes only natural energy, it can help to reduce exhaust fumes and noise and save natural resources. The vehicle can be upgraded to reach the speed of 60km per hour (equivalent to that of a motorbike) for up to 100km."

The group also plans to re-design the vehicle so that it can carry four to six people. Its lean-to is also made from solar panels. At present, this product has been supported by Sai Gon High-tech Park, where it will serve as the park's means of internal transportation.

"The electric wheelchair is not a new product in Viet Nam, but they are all imported at high prices. For example, if they are bought from the USA, they cost from US$4,000 to 6,000 ."

However, students from HCM City University of Transport have created a new wheelchair with similar features for less than VND 15 million ($750). At present, about 20 people want to purchase the product, but it can only be produced on a large-scale," lecturer Tri says.

The new wheelchair is easy to operate, as it only has one control stick. That stick can direct it to move forwards or backwards, turn left, turn right, and increase or decrease its speed.

The wheelchair is equipped with two batteries which enable it to run as far as 25km at the speed of 10km per hour. Each battery takes about three hours to charge. The vehicle can also avoid being upturned when it goes uphill, thanks to two additional rear wheels.

"With these features, the vehicle enables the disabled and elderly to move around independently," student Quang says.

"This vehicle can also be upgraded to have a locating system so that people can be aware of its position or it can be equipped with an alarm system which allows it to send messages to family members in case of emergency. It can also be designed as a convenient place for users to sit or sleep," Quang adds.

Those students have also produced a new kind of electric scooter that can run automatically. Unlike other popular scooters, which are operated by pedaling, this new vehicle moves using energy stored in the battery.

With a maximum speed of 20kmh and engine capacity of 250W, the scooter can travel up to 20km. Furthermore, its compact design lets users carry it around.

 

An electrical wheelchair

Vinh, one of the inventors, says: "Its design is similar to other scooters, but its rear wheels are bigger so that it can balance while moving around."

The handle of the vehicle also has more functions. The driver can press the accelerator button to speed up, push the brake button to stop or turn on the light and indicator.

Therefore, it is suitable for all ages. Since the vehicle costs only about VND7 million, there is already significant demand for it. — VNS