Live web-based tracking for global audience
Global vehicle tracking solutions company Ctrack, a subsidiary of Novatel Wireless (Nasdaq:MIFI), has been entrusted to oversee the tracking of all the teams in this year’s biennial Sasol Solar Challenge. With the latest vehicle tracking capabilities, Ctrack will measure key telematics data and provide full visibility of the 14 participating teams. This will include the reigning champions, the Nuon Solar team from Delft University in the Netherlands.
In its fifth year, the Sasol Solar Challenge is aimed at demonstrating the power of alternative energy. Emphasising engineering and innovation, the competition gives local and international students in the disciplines of science, engineering and technology an opportunity to showcase their ingenuity by designing world-class solar-powered vehicles.
“The Sasol Solar Challenge brings together the pinnacle of electric vehicle and solar technology research. It is ranked as one of the top global events of its kind, and it is great that South Africa is hosting such an event. Through supporting this challenge, we want to show our dedication towards building a sustainable, eco-efficient future,” said Hein Jordt, MD of Ctrack Fleet Management Solutions.
The eight-day event starts this Saturday, 24 September, at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, and finishes in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront. Teams will manage their custom-designed solar-powered vehicles as they race across the South African terrain, covering a distance of 2 000 km of varying road conditions.
Sasol Solar Challenge selected Ctrack for their advanced fleet management software, which will enable them to monitor all teams and support vehicles in real time. Accurate measurement of daily distances, trip information and time travelled, will be significant in the adjudication of the overall winner.
The Ctrack solution also equips the support teams with integrated driver terminal devices (Ctrack On-The-Road). This will enable them to make race navigation decisions in real time, as well as plan their routes effectively to maximise speeds whilst conserving energy. A Ctrack support team will be accompanying the race to provide support in analysing race data.
While parts of the race will take place in remote rural regions, spectators can still follow the action on a dedicated online portal powered by Ctrack. This will provide the exact position of each participant on an interactive map, updated in real-time.
“We are very grateful to have Ctrack on board as our event tracking sponsor for the 2016 Sasol Solar Challenge. Their services will be invaluable in both ensuring the event is successfully monitored by us, and in giving spectators at home an opportunity to follow our progress through the country,” said Winstone Jordaan, Sasol Solar Challenge director.