Associations Unveil Their Innovative Projects to Companies
On March 16 last, ESTACA students presented their association technology projects during an afternoon of discovery organized for their partners. Energy-efficient vehicles, autonomous electric submarines, electric or thermal go-karts, experimental rockets, train driving simulators… all innovative projects designed to offer solutions to environmental and societal challenges for the mobility of the future.
Twelve Projects for Going Green
Student life is very important at ESTACA, and community projects are an integral part of the School’s educational objectives. 34 student associations are active throughout the year, many of which propose technology projects linked to the programs offered in the School’s 5 options: aeronautics, automotive, rail, naval and space. On Thursday March 16, 2023, twelve associations were at the Paris-Saclay campus for an afternoon of discovery, organized by FAE, the Federation of ESTACA Associations, to present their projects.
Environmental, digital and societal issues are at the heart of the challenges for future mobility. Numerous association projects seek to provide solutions to these issues: reducing energy consumption, limiting pollutant emissions, making vehicles lighter, consuming fewer raw materials, and so on. Their work encompasses all aspects of imagining, designing, collaborating and building vehicles, not least with a view to taking part in several contests and competitions.
Twelve associations were present at this afternoon’s event:
- PV3e presented its energy-efficient vehicles. The latest GEMINI vehicle features a carbon single hull and a single-cylinder engine, plus an electric motor for functional hybridization. CALYPSO, the association’s latest project, has already set a record in its category: 1 800 km on the equivalent of 1 liter of petrol in the tank.
- SIERA presented various robotics projects, including its R2d2 robot, directly inspired by Star Wars, and its drones, which will soon be taking part in the Dassault challenge (see also the dirigible balloon project designed by the association: link to video).
- ESTACA Space Odyssey was present with some of the experimental rockets designed, built and launched by students each year at the C’Space event organized by the CNES. With its ESTACA SPACE LAUNCHER probe rocket program, the association intends to break the European student altitude record by climbing to a height of over 32.3 km.
- Guided Ways brought to the show its railway driving simulator project, a dimensioning teaching tool which should be used in 2nd and 3rd year practicals from next April.
- ESTACA Formula Team presented its new EC-04 vehicle, a.k.a. Genesis. The aim of this association is to design, build and operate an innovative, high-performance, energy-efficient single-seater, inspired by professional Formula 1 cars, to take part in Formula Student, an international competition (more info on their new vehicle at: https://www.estaca.fr/actualites/un-nouveau-vehicule-pour-participer-formula-student/).
- Junior ESTACA operates as a consultancy firm, and its aim was to approach industrial companies to propose technical studies directly linked to industry and conducted by the future engineers.
- EPIC is raising students’ awareness of the challenges facing the naval industry and presented its model of an autonomous electric submarine.
- ESTACA Modélisme showcased its drones and other reduced-scale machines.
- Le Cercle aéronautique de l’ESTACA, the association for fans of aeronautics, explained its various introductory piloting activities, such as its flight simulator, air rallies and pilots’ initiations.
- ESTACA Mototech, for two-wheeled enthusiasts, exhibited its motorcycles.
- RACE set up in front of the school to display several models of classic cars entirely renovated by the students, including their retrofitted 2CV.
- EMOS, an association of motorsport enthusiasts presented its new hybrid kart. The association is also working on a racing simulator.
Exchange Opportunity with Companies
Each association works on its projects independently, but in partnership with the School, which integrates some technical projects into the academic projects offered as part of the training program and subsidizes them. Companies also play a key role in supporting associations by providing equipment, technical assistance or sponsorship. The day was an opportunity for students to welcome their current and future partners, present their current projects and share their passion. During this special event, students shared their visions and objectives.
To find out more about how this association day was covered in the press:
