MILFORD – It looked like a giant oblong egg rolling rapidly down the test track at the General Motor Milford Proving Grounds on Aug. 24. But it actually was a recumbent speedbike, from team AeroVelo, performing aerodynamic tests in partnership with GMC in preparation for the Human-Powered Speed Challenge next month.
The speedbike, called Eta, has a top design speed of 87 miles per hour, at least in the simulator. The current record is 83 miles per hour. What the team of engineers from the University of Toronto has been trying to determine at the GM proving grounds, is the same thing that GM does there – putting its simulations to the test.
The 2015 Championships will be held September 14 -19 at Battle Mountain, Nevada. To see what Eta look like, click on http://www.aerovelo.com
The big difference is instead of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that generate hundreds of horsepower, like GM, Eta a recumbent bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position enclosed inside a composite material shell is powered by Aerospace Engineer Todd Reichert, who is currently ranked world’s 7th fastest human at Human Powered Speed Challenge.
Reichert reclines inside Eta, and once the composite shell is placed over him, views the road ahead through a computer screen just inches from his face. Behind the screen he gripes vertical handles in each hand that allow him to make very minor turns, left or right, meaning Eta is designed to go straight. Turning is very limited.
On Aug. 24, team AeroVelo was running tests on whether the aerodynamics predicted by the computer simulations actually proved to be accurate on the track. GMC volunteered its proving ground because the track is long, smooth and controlled.
During the actual Human Powered Challenge, Eta will take up to five miles to reach its maximum speed, and another two-thirds of a mile to stop, said University of Toronto Aerospace Engineer Cameron Robertson, a structural design expert. Robertson and Reichert lead the team, which also includes engineering student interns from the Toronto school.
Why did GMC decide to help team AeroVelo? Brian Goebel, Senior Communications Manager, GMC said because the AeroVelo “reflects the GMC brand and values of a modern statement of confidence, precision and capability. Goebel said GMC remains committed to purposeful innovation and engineering excellence. Like the Aerovelo team, the GMC team believes things worth doing, are worth doing well.”
