On the streets of Split, you could soon see an electric buggy, an innovative vehicle of Split University Department of Professional Studies’ students. As head of Electrical Engineering Department, Marko Vukšić Ph.D., explained, the students electrified the buggy by installing an electric drive unit in it. Students replaced an internal combustion engine with two BLDC electric motors and batteries, and developed a control computer, thus demonstrating creative application of acquired knowledge in practice. The bodywork was adapted to new needs, as was the control system.
However, before it gets on the road, the buggy must go through next steps in the project, homologation and registration.
- Its speed is limited to 60 km/h, and we are planning to develop several other components with which we can upgrade existing systems on the vehicle, for example, installing a "digital differential" would enable the vehicle’s improved turning radius, and we would also upgrade electronic subsystems, such as, for example, "battery management system - Professor Vukšić told us about further plans.
The idea came from professors in the Department, and students, more than 10 of them, under the mentorship of prof. Marko Vukšić, Tonko Kovačević and Slaven Šitić, wholeheartedly got involved in the creation of this electric vehicle.
- During the work on this buggy’s components, they performed their practical work of classes, as well as team projects, and several of them completed their final theses - Head Vukšić told us.
They do not lack resourcefulness for the future, so we learn that they also plan to develop an autonomous electric vehicle, controlled by a computer, and they want to further develop more complex applications, the existing "buggy" serving as a good foundation.
