Update: Kvaser has released the updated Kvaser Memorator Light HS v2. For more information, click here.

The Chinook ETS scientific club’s purpose is to design a wind propelled vehicle with the ability to drive into a headwind.  Based at École de technologie supérieure University, in Montreal, Canada, the Chinook team competes each year at the international event Racing Aeolus in Holland.  Teams from all over the world meet at Racing Aeolus to match designs for wind turbine vehicles.

In 2012, Chinook ETS were the champions at Racing Aeolus.  in 2013, they set the record with a vehicle speed of 82.6% of the wind speed while heading into the wind.  This last August was even better.

As Alexandre Lupien-Bédard says,

“We broke the world record for this type of wind turbine car as the vehicle was going at 96.91% of the wind speed towards the wind.”

On the back of this performance, the Chinook team took home prizes including:

• First Place, Racing Aeolus 2014
• World Record of the Vehicle Speed vs. Wind Speed
• Fastest Race, Racing Aeolus 2014
• Most innovative Design

Kvaser is proud to sponsor the Chinook ETS team as they begin designing the fifth version of their vehicle.  In the new design, the Chinook team will be trading out their mechanical drivetrain and replacing it with a generator-converter-motor system.  This design will be more ‘electric’ than in the past, and will increase vehicle control and efficiency.  A Kvaser Leaf Professional HS will be key in debugging the onboard electronics via the CANbus, while a Memorator Light HS will give the ability to perform standalone data logging during tests.

Keep your eye out for the Chinook ETS team as they prepare to conquer Racing Aeolus in August 2015.

Also, check out the wrap-up video of their competition at Racing Aeolus 2014 in Holland: