E-Quickie
9 June 2011
Alternative drive concept
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences wins award for its innovative “E-Quickie“ in the competition “365 Places in the Land of Ideas”
Yesterday, 8 June 2011, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences won an award for its electric car E-Quickie in the competition “365 Places in the Land of Ideas” and received the title “Selected Place 2011”. Under the patronage of the German President, Christian Wulff, the nation-branding initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas” and Deutsche Bank cooperated to organize the competition. As a “Selected Place” and winner of one of the 365 awards, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences acts as an ambassador of the “Land of Ideas”, representing Germany’s future viability.
After short speeches given yesterday morning by Prof. Dr. Markus Stöckner, Vice-President of Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Norbert Käthler, CEO of Stadtmarketing GmbH, and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hoheisel, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, Prof. Jürgen Walter, Project Manager and Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, gave an introduction to the project and explained some special technical features of the electric car: It does not require batteries, but draws power from electric conducting paths in the ground. Receivers underneath the car obtain energy from the tracks through electric induction, directing it onward to the car’s electrical hub drive. So far, this technology has only been applied in heavy and slow floor conveyors. The E-Quickie, however, is able to move quickly and efficiently thanks to state-of-the art materials and technological optimization. Prof Walter summarizes: “We wanted to prove that the principle of wireless energy transfer is also well-suited for use in means of private transportation.”
The speeches were followed by the ceremonial handing over of the award through Frank Arlaud, Head of Public Sector Coverage of Deutsche Bank. In his speech he explained why the university had been chosen for the award: “The electric car E-Quickie is a great example of Germany as center of science, full of innovative ideas and trend-setting alternatives in electric mobility.”
Next Johann Soder, Head of Technology at SEW-Eurodrive, who supported the project, gave a speech on electric mobility. In addition, the audience was able to have a look at other high-tech electric cars developed at the university, such as the E-cart, the E-dandy-horse, the E-recumbent tilting trike, and the E-105, a racing car with an electric drive developed for the construction competition “Formula Student". So the faculty laboratories were open to visitors and allowed them to gain insight into the inventiveness of the future engineers.
Vice-President, Prof. Dr. Markus Stöckner, commented on the award as follows: “We’re very proud that we’ve again been awarded the title Selected Place in the Land of Ideas. It encourages us to continue developing sustainable technology together with our students and pave the way for solutions of the future.”
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences has received the title “Selected Place” for the second time in a row now. Last year the university was given the award for its Institute of Materials and Processes (IMP), as it represents a unique combination of virtual and applied materials research. It focuses on the development of new, computer-based modeling and simulation techniques for materials development, aimed at optimizing manufacturing and production processes.
Press contacts
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
Public Relations and Marketing Office
Holger Gust
Phone: 0721 925-1016
pr[at]hs-karlsruhe.de
Germany – Land of Ideas
Anne Rohloff
Phone: 030 206459-164
rohloff[at]land-der-ideen.de
Deutsche Bank Press Relations
Doris Nabbefeld
Phone: 069 910-31070
doris.nabbefeld[at]db.com
For further information, visit: www.land-der-ideen.de