UGM launched energy-saving car called SEMAR, Wednesday (17/3). The vehicle made by SEMART Team, a group of students from Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, UGM, was launched by Vice Rector of Alumni and Business Development, Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M.Phil., Ph.D., at University Club(UC) UGM.
The SEMART Team leader, Teofilus Hartono, said that the car uses 4-stroke single cylinder machine with capacity 25 cc, applying programmable injection system. With this system, the fuel consumption can be optimized appropriately according to the real need. The car is expected to run with minimum fuel so that it is eco-friendly. "We're targeting this car to travel approximately 1000 km or equivalent with the distance between Anyer-Panarukan with 1 liter of gasoline," he explained.
The selection of SEMAR as the name of the car according to Teofilus was based on three things: unique, easy to remember, and it reflects the genuine culture of Indonesia. The name has been intentionally adopted from one character in leather puppet show, who is strong and lofty.
The car is planned to be brought to the Asian Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) 2010 from 8-10 July at Sepang, Malaysia. It will compete with 108 other cars from 12 countries. Besides UGM, there are three other Indonesian universities to compete there: Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS), University of Indonesia (UI), and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
There are two categories for the cars to compete: futuristic prototype and urban concept. Futuristic prototype design requires vehicles to maximize energy efficiency and reduce wind resistance. Meanwhile, urban concept design is a realistic one that can be used in urban areas. The SEMAR car will compete in futuristic prototype category.
The car is 2.7 meter in length, height 0.8 meter and width 0.88 meter. The body is made from composite fiber with water foil concept to reduce the coefficient of vehicle’s resistance. The frame is made from aluminium plate and profile combination designed as such so that the body is not more than 25 kg. This car can drive with maximum speed of 45 km/hour.
Consultant Dr. Jayan Sentanuhady added that this car was designed as energy-saving and eco-friendly vehicle. To get the vehicle that is needed, three priorities should be met: weight, aerodynamics, and machine efficiency. “So, it is not only the machine that matters, but also the structure and design. The vehicle that we developed is light in weight, efficient in terms of the machine, and low in terms of friction coefficient. The lower resistance, the smaller energy consumption,†he explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ir. Suhanan, D.E.A., Head of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, expected that SEMAR would perform its best in the Asian SEM 2010. “We want to win, of course, but winning is not everything. The most important thing is our effort to look for solution amidst energy depletion and environmental problems,†he said. He added that launching this car can motivate other students to produce energy-saving and eco-friendly vehicle.
Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, said that SEMAR would become UGM’s icon as world class research university and as the realisation of the support for energy conservation towards energy efficiency.