10 Years of the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge!

Host Eric Lanke commemorates the 10-year anniversary of NFPA's Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, where university teams simulate, design, build, test, and race hydraulics- and pneumatics-powered vehicles, judged on efficiency, speed/acceleration, regenerative braking, and sustained performance; the program hit a record 32 participating universities.   Guests Dr. Jake Swanson (Minnesota State University, Mankato), Dr. Brian Steward (Iowa State University), and longtime technical liaison Ernie Parker (recently retired from Hennepin Technical College) discuss how the competition's resources and industry mentoring support student learning, how the challenge has scaled to multiple sites and improved rules over time, and common hurdles such as design, component sizing, ordering and time management, and limited hands-on shop skills. They share memorable competition moments and advise new teams to start early, ask mentors for help, and plan extra time for debugging, emphasizing workforce development and pathways into the fluid power industry. To get involved, contact Mary Pluta, at [email protected]. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at [email protected].   Connect with Ernie Parker, at [email protected].   Connect with Dr. Brian Steward, at [email protected].   Connect with Dr. Jake Swanson, at [email protected].   Learn more about the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, Hennepin Technical College, Iowa State University, and Minnesota State University, Mankato.   Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.   #FluidPowerForum #WorkforceDevelopment #VehicleChallenge #Engineering #Education