Cal Poly Pomona Human Powered Vehicle Team: (from left to right) Adam Sharp, Jan Kasper, Cara Breite, Kenneth Nakanishi, Celso Morellos, Dmitry Soyfertis, Paul Brooks, John Gates, John Kessler, Andy Hedge

 

For the first time in more than 20 years, Cal Poly Pomona students designed and built a Human Powered Vehicle. The new team built a three-wheeled bike that tilted from side to side, and then entered it into a competition at Cal State Northridge in April 2010, sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

The Cal Poly Pomona team competed against 31 other colleges, including Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, finishing in the top ten in three different races. CPP finished 4th in the men's drag race and 7th in the women's drag race.  In addition, the team competed in the endurance race, which was two and half hours long and the objective was to ride as far as possible within that time. The team got two flat tires during the endurance race, but still went on to finish in 9th place. 

Team members work on bike construction.

John Kessler tests the bike to prepare for race day.

The members of the team consist of Mechanical Engineering students of all class levels, many of which are members of ASME. The Human Powered Vehicle team is seeking students from other majors and disciplines.

Being a part of the team is rewarding. Students gain teamwork skills, communication with manufacturers, design devlopment (concepts which are also covered in core classes), and machining and fabrication. They also innovatively utilize resources to meet project requirements. In 2011, the team hopes to design a commercially viable Los Angeles commuter vehicle.

Next year, the team hopes to gain sponsorships to support new activities such as creating composites and prototypes, as well as improving testing for RPS, geometry, aerodynamics, and the frame.

For more information, or if you are interested in helping the team, please contact Adam Sharp at avsharp@csupomona.edu.

June 2010

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