TGM students bring electric cars into virtual reality

TGM students bring electric cars into virtual reality

“With us, students learn practically, not just theoretically, and get hands-on in the workshops and laboratories,” explains Gabriele Schachinger, head of the mechanical engineering department at the TGM. “We have purchased electric cars so that the future technicians can gain concrete experience with this type of vehicle.” The Renault Twizy was chosen to ensure the safety of the young people. The small, two-seater city car with gullwing doors runs on a battery voltage of 60 volts. This is harmless. Large sedans run on 400 volts or more, so if you touch the wrong cable in class, it could end badly. “We bought three electric cars so that as many students as possible can practice at the same time,” says Gerald Kalteis, who leads the TGM projects for e-mobility together with Martin Izaak. Izaak emphasizes that the cars are not just studied, but expanded and digitized: "In class, we partially dismantle the vehicles. The models are equipped with sensors and feelers. Then you can see what is happening in a car during operation." Using the sensors and measuring devices, the students are also preparing to network machines with the Internet, keyword “Internet of Things”. This means that the training ranges from e-mobility to I mobility, the connection between the Internet and traffic. It fits with the fact that further expansion of the cars should take place purely virtually. “We want to completely trace a Renault Twizy on the computer and depict it in virtual reality,” plans Schachinger. "If you connect the physical car to its digital twin via sensors and WiFi, you can use the 3D glasses to see what's going on in the car live and in real time. You can then even zoom in on individual components, walk around them and view them in motion." This electronic and digital construction work is completed by the students themselves. This offers - a pleasant side effect - plenty of material for numerous useful theses in the coming years. The first graduates are already working with the city runabouts.

Curious people can view the electric cars - some of which are open and wired - at the TGM's “Open Day”: on January 24th, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.