The Quantum, the latest version of the University of Michigan's solar car, is wrapping up its race across Michigan's lower peninsula today as it prepares for its annual world championship race this fall.
The four-day mock race covered 1,000 miles from numerous corners of the lower peninsula, including southeast Michigan. It made stops in St. Joseph, Ludington, Traverse City, Mackinaw City and Tawas City. The team is posting updates of its progress
here and
here. The mock race is serving as preparation for the October World Solar Challenge in Australia.
"The average speeds (40-50 mph) will be a little bit less than Australia," says Rachel Kramer, project manager for the
University of Michigan Solar Car Team.
The student-led team behind Quantum is also using this mock race as a way to show off its newest version of solar-powered automobiles to hundreds of supporters, most of which are automotive-based companies in Michigan.
"We get a lot of support from Michigan-based businesses," says Kramer, a senior studying neuroscience at U-M. "Being close to Detroit helps because half of our partners are in the automotive sector."
Source: Rachel Kramer, project manager for the University of Michigan Solar Car TeamWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at
SEMichiganStartup.com.
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