Members of team developing an “active” suspension prototype for the Valeo Innovation Challenge are, from left: Colin Strate, Scott Johnston, Katelyn Stenger and Christopher Wood. (Photo by Dale Long)

A team of Rose-Hulman students has been specially chosen for the second year in a row to develop prototype parts for an international automotive competition.

The goal of the Valeo Innovation Challenge is to create smarter, more intuitive cars for the future. There is a $109,000 prize for first place.

More than 1,300 project proposals were submitted initially, with 20 teams selected to move forward into the development stage. The team from Rose-Hulman is one of just two from the United States, along with a team from Wichita State University. Other teams selected are from China, Egypt, Germany, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan.

The Rose-Hulman team is made up of all mechanical engineering majors: Scott Johnston, Katelyn Stenger, Colin Strate and Christopher Wood. With $5,000 in funding from Valeo, the students have until July 17 to develop a working prototype of an “active suspension” for the wheel base of “the car of 2030.”

“Active” suspension systems sense road conditions and make adjustments to provide a smoother ride, as well as improve fuel efficiency and tire wear as the vehicle adjusts better to the contour of the road.

Six finalist teams will be announced Sept. 1, with the opportunity to present their prototypes to a jury at the Frankfort Motor Show in Germany. The top three projects will then be chosen at the show. Projects will be judged on technological proficiency, feasibility, presentation, originality, boldness and relevance to social needs.

Valeo, an international auto parts supplier based in France, focuses most of its research and development on designing technologies that promote intuitive driving and reduce carbon emissions.

Source: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology