Early Times Report
KATRA, July 30: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Kakryal, has achieved another milestone in engineering innovation as Team Crawlers (Team ID: 272070) successfully qualified for the next stage of the prestigious SAE India eBAJA Competition following an impressive performance in the Virtual Design Round held on July 19, 2026. The multidisciplinary team, comprising B.Tech. students from the Schools of Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Communication, Civil, and Computer Science Engineering, presented the design and engineering analysis of their All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) before an expert panel of SAE India judges. The team was led by Team Captain Hritik Srivastava and Vice-Captain Abhudai Singh under the guidance of Dr. Kapil Chopra and Dr. Amit Kumar Sinha, Assistant Professors and BAJA SAEINDIA Coordinators. The ATV, designed for challenging off-road conditions, features a 1430 mm wheelbase, 330 mmground clearance, and a kerb weight of 170 kg. With a top speed of 65 km/h and a gradeability of 77.78%, the vehicle demonstrated excellent performance capabilities. The team also showcased the AISI 4130 Chrome-Moly steel roll cage and presented comprehensive Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analyses, including torsional, front, rear, side-impact, and rolloversimulations validated using appropriate safety factors. During the technical interaction, thestudents confidently addressed the judges' queries, reflecting their sound understanding ofengineering design and analysis. Congratulating the team, Dr. Yatheshth Anand, Head, School of Mechanical Engineering, appreciated the dedication, teamwork, and technical excellence displayed by the students. Healso commended Dr. Kapil Chopra and Dr. Amit Kumar Sinha for their committed mentorshipand continuous guidance, stating that the achievement reflects the School's strong emphasis on innovation, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Vice Chancellor of SMVDU congratulated Team Crawlers, the faculty coordinators, and the School of Mechanical Engineering on the remarkable achievement.
He appreciated thestudents' hard work and innovative approach and acknowledged the invaluable contribution ofthe faculty mentors in nurturing technical excellence. He expressed confidence that the team would continue to perform exceptionally in the forthcoming stages of the competition and bringfurther laurels to the University. |
