UTAS Motorsport - Electric FSAE Team

The UTAS Motorsport FSAE (Formula SAE) team is a group of dedicated engineering students from the University of Tasmania in Australia who come together with a shared passion for automotive engineering to design, build, and race a fully electric formula-style race car.

Being part of the UTAS Motorsport FSAE team allows us to apply the theoretical knowledge we gain in the classroom to a real-world project, fostering practical engineering skills and teamwork. Our primary objective is to design and construct a single-seat, open-wheel race car that excels in dynamic performance, handling, and overall reliability while adhering to the specific rules and regulations set by the competition.

Within our team, we work in different sub-teams, each focusing on a specific aspect of the car's development.

The electrical sub-team plays a crucial role in optimizing performance, safety, and reliability through electrical systems. In our electrical design work, we collaborate closely with other sub-teams to integrate electrical components seamlessly into the overall vehicle design. This involves developing an efficient power distribution system, designing wiring harnesses, selecting appropriate connectors, and ensuring proper insulation and protection against electrical faults.

We also work on implementing data acquisition sensors throughout the car to gather essential performance and diagnostic information. This data helps us with vehicle tuning, analysis, and monitoring during testing and competitions. Additionally, we design fully custom control systems for different vehicle functions, such as the drive system, traction control, and active safety features.

Another important aspect of our work is designing instrumentation and display systems to provide the driver with critical information like speed, RPM, temperature, and battery voltage. Safety is a top priority for our team, so we incorporate electrical safety features such as circuit protection devices, grounding techniques, and fail-safe mechanisms.

Throughout the year, we face various challenges, including sourcing sponsors, securing funding, and managing a project timeline. However, we are driven by our passion for motorsport and the opportunity to push the boundaries of automotive engineering. Participating in the FSAE competition not only provides a platform for showcasing our engineering prowess but also offers valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals and potential employers. The UTAS Motorsport FSAE team is driven by a passion for motorsport and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering, fostering innovation, and nurturing the next generation of automotive professionals.

In our project we produce many PCBs throughout the car. Each of these are fully designed by students and built in house for the valuable, hands-on learning experience. Some examples of these PCBs are:

ECU PCB: The main vehicle control unit that manages our traction control and the majority of system processing.

Dashboard PCB: Displaying data to the driver.

Pedal Box PCB: Taking pedal and sensor inputs.

Cell-Top PCB: These sit on top of each of our battery packs to monitor temperature and battery voltage.

Accumulator PCB: In charge of monitoring our battery pack and implementing our safety features.

TSAL and dash lights PCBs: Lights for displaying current car state.

Sponsorship would greatly help us in achieving our goals in 2023 to produce a safe, reliable and effective electrical system! Check out what we are up to below:

https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofTasmaniaMotorsport