UMich solar car team unveils 2022 design: Aevum

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team unveiled their latest solar car model in the Michigan Union June 10. 

Rising Engineering junior Joseph Harrington reflected on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the team in the opening address. The World Solar Challenge, an international solar racing competition, was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic. Harrington said the cancellation pushed the team to expand beyond their central focus on engineering and improve their public engagement, collaborate with partners in relevant industries — such as Ford and Siemens Software — and promote sustainability. 

“Not going to the World Solar Challenge in 2021 was uncomfortable because the other facets of our organization needed to grow to fill the void,” Harrington said. “The decision we made in the wake of the pandemic is (that) we are going to embrace that growth.”