Interview with engineers of the LPU Concept Car

Q1. What was your exact motive behind getting down to working and engineering such a unique concept car?

Safety is the pivotal motive behind getting down to working and engineering such a unique concept car.  Manual operations are more prone to accidents rather than mechanized ones. The concept is to device a car which not only runs on its own but automatically charts a course that avoids collisions and accidents. Hence, the design of the car. Moreover, with an ageing population across the world, we need a car that can help the senile and the physically frail. 

The IP driven car is an answer to their problems, as it requires lesser human intervention. The inclusion of IT based features was motivated by the fact that we wanted to push for a design that may be novel, technology oriented and should extend service of ease to the user. With IT delivering gains in almost all sectors, auto domain should not remain an exception. In all, it was an experiment with ideas which culminated in the evolution of a new product. And considering the incessant rise in fuel prices and rising awareness in favour of non-polluting vehicles, this cost-effective and environment friendly car is a good option to travel.

Q2.To what extent have you implemented wireless technology in the LPU Concept and what purpose could such a vehicle serve when put to use in a real world scenario?

We have totally refurbished the mechanical car into a new car that works fully on wireless technology. Most of the mechanical components have been replaced by digital ones, and customized electronic circuits have been incorporated to perform various operations like speed control, remote control and change of directions. The fact that the car is driven by IP that means that it can be operated by sitting anywhere in the world, through instructions fed via a computer. 

Q3.How much support in terms of funding or technical guidance did you all received from the University board and your professors?

We drew our inspiration to create something new from the constant motivation and encouragement from our faculty members, who have always taught us that engineering studies are to be identified with “making” and not “studying”. Our teachers always stood by us in providing us with guidance at all the junctures, where we faced technical challenges and other hitches. The University arranged a brand new electric car for us, so that we can study it and take leads from there to make the car that can run on internet protocol. 

Toying with ideas, bringing in changes and doing practical research on various theoretical models entailed heavy expenditure, which was borne entirely by the University. We never faced any problem with regard to funding as the costly equipments, machinery; circuitry etc. was arranged by the University.  In nutshell, this car is an outcome of the support and motivation of our University- LPU, Phagwara. 

Q4. Are you looking at entering your concept into any technology competition or showcasing it any national/international auto show, automobile conference etc, where the general public can take a closer look at the driverless vehicle?

Yes, we had planned to feature this car in the 11th Auto Expo held in New Delhi in January 2012 , but it took a little longer for us to remove the technical glitches, and we missed to show case this invention there. But yes, we will be present there in the next version, and will sign off with a style for sure. We are also eyeing international automobile exhibitions, and for that we are developing a smaller prototype that can be taken and showcased in foreign markets as well. 

Q5. Has your design evinced interest among auto manufacturers here in India? What are their expectations?

Yes, we have demonstrated our invention before one of the most respected auto majors from India, the name of which we can not disclose owing to professional reasons. We have received a very motivating and encouraging response from them, and this is indeed a welcome news for us. They will work in close cooperation with us to develop this car further on, and then hopefully take it from the University campus to national highways. The teams are already fine tuning the design, and we hope that an improved version will be launched in one year or so.