Will Jones, co-founder of the Cannonball Sun Endurance Driving Team, shares his journey of building a solar-powered car to race across the U.S. The discussion dives into the innovative design and construction challenges they faced, along with the thrill of navigating public roads. Jones reflects on humorous encounters with law enforcement and the intricacies of long-distance route planning. He also unveils the team's vision for the future of solar and electric vehicles, celebrating their unique contributions to the legacy of the Cannonball Run.
The creation of their solar car stemmed from a high school challenge, igniting a lifelong passion for solar technology among the team members.
Logistical and technical challenges during the cannonball run showcased the importance of strategic planning and adaptability in using solar energy.
Future advancements in solar technology hold the promise for significantly faster runs, emphasizing experience and collaboration in developing more efficient vehicles.
Deep dives
The Journey of Solar Car Development
The discussion highlights the initial steps taken by the team in high school, where the co-founders, William Jones and his friend Kyle Samluck, created a solar car as part of a solar car challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway. Their early attempts fostered a passion for solar technology, leading them to reunite during COVID to embark on the ambitious goal of setting a solar-powered cannonball record. The team undertook significant engineering work to transform their vision into reality, showcasing their dedication and resourcefulness. This journey was characterized by trial and error, culminating in their first attempt at a cannonball run in 2021, which served as a learning experience despite mechanical failures.
Technical Specifications of the Solar Car
The first solar car designed by the team was an aluminum-bodied, three-wheeled vehicle, approximately 20 feet long and equipped with a 2,200-watt solar array. It utilized a hub motor and a bespoke battery system created largely from improvised components, demonstrating the innovative spirit of the young engineers. Despite its impressive solar capabilities, the vehicle was technically underdeveloped, resulting in limited power output and handling challenges. The combination of lightweight design and unique aerodynamics led to a visually striking but functionally difficult vehicle to manage, especially under real-world driving conditions such as potholes and windy weather.
Experiences on the Cannonball Run
During the actual cannonball run from New York to Los Angeles, the team faced multiple logistical and technical challenges, ranging from navigating heavy traffic to managing vehicle breakdowns. They adopted a daylight-only driving strategy, requiring careful planning to maximize solar charging and maintain a steady pace. Interaction with law enforcement was mostly positive, with police showing interest and curiosity about the unique solar vehicle rather than issuing citations. The team completed the journey in 13 days, 15 hours, and 19 minutes, highlighting both the difficulties of the endeavor and the achievement of making solar-powered travel part of the broader cannonball tradition.
Impact of Environmental Factors
The solar car's performance was significantly influenced by environmental conditions, with weather proving a double-edged sword during their journey. Rain limited their driving distance on certain days, while wind resistance affected their speed and efficiency on stretches of flat terrain. Despite challenges posed by inclement weather, the team found that driving conditions in sunny areas allowed them to maximize their solar energy intake. These experiences underscored the need for an adaptable approach to solar car design in varying climates and terrains, fuelling future innovations in solar vehicle technology.
Future of Solar Racing and Technological Advances
Looking ahead, the team expressed optimism regarding the potential for advancements in solar car technology, believing that with improved solar cell efficiency and battery performance, significantly faster runs could become achievable. They discussed the importance of experience and collaboration, noting that learning from existing solar races could pave the way for developing more efficient vehicles. The possibility of completing the cannonball run in four to five days with the right resources and technology was highlighted, revealing a promising outlook for future endeavors in solar racing. The conversation solidified the notion that solar car racing not only serves as a testbed for innovation but also offers adventure and camaraderie, appealing to aspiring engineers and enthusiasts alike.
How fast can a solar-powered car cross the United States? The Cannonball Run goes solar as Will Jones explains how he, Kyle Samluk and Danny Ezzo built a race car from scratch to make science fiction racing fact. Was it safe? Was it legal? Did they get pulled over? Was it air conditioned? What about bathroom stops? Will Alex Roy try to break their record?
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