Formula Student Germany started in 2006as an international design competition for students under the patrnage of the German engineerig association “Verein deutscher Ingenieure) (VDI).
The “Formula Student Driverless” started in 2017 in order to to reflect current developments in the automotive industry.
A 35-member team from the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW) expanded its existing combustion engine concept to include “autonomous driving.” An important component of this is a micro-hydraulic system. In addition to sensors and algorithms, a solution was needed to actuate the steering, braking and clutch systems. This had to meet the requirements in terms of weight and functionality, with and without a driver.
The compact hydraulic components from The Lee Company, based in Westbrook, Connecticut, USA, were used. The company’s microhydraulics allowed the HTW team to design, manufacture and race-test a prototype.
Of particular note is the redundant braking and emergency braking system in which a fast 3-way magnetic valves were used. These are the heart of the fail-safe hydraulic emergency brake circuit.
The miniature components allowed the system to be installed between the pedals and the front end of the chassis.
The HTW thus became the first Formula Student combustion-engine team in the world to pass the technical inspection and be allowed to participate in the dynamic disciplines of Formula Student Driverless.