The FST 12, the team’s ninth electric prototype and the third prototype with autonomous capabilities of FST Lisbon, was developed in just one year with demanding goals for performance and design. For the new prototype, improvements in systems design were achieved to facilitate the transition between autonomous mode and electric mode, such as a newly designed autonomous braking system, as well as a modified steering system allowing decoupling between the autonomous steering system and the driver. Innovation in controlling each of the four engines, in tandem, results in a car that is more agile and more stable. The new model also features improvements to the cooling system for the battery, inverters and engines to achieve faster times in the endurance race, which is usually the most demanding for prototypes.

This vehicle will represent Instituto Superior Técnico in the second edition of Formula Student Portugal, from 31 July to 6 August in Castelo Branco, in Formula Student Spain, from 7 to 13 August in the Catalonia Circuit, and in the prestigious Formula Student Germany, from 14 to 20 August in the Hockenheim Circuit.

Dinis Ventura, Team Leader of FST Lisbon, says that “Last year was quite positive in terms of results at competitions, especially in the category of autonomous car. This year, our priority was to focus on a more extensive and rigorous testing phase to help us better understand this new prototype’s handling in different situations and, as a result, get the best possible performance.”

According to Celfocus board member María Gil, “The partnership with IST allows us to promote the cutting-edge work of Celfocus, particularly in the areas of Analytics and Cognitive. Our goal is to align innovation, technical expertise and scientific knowledge with market needs to solve real business problems. In this way, we empower young people for successful professional careers in the world of technology. We see IST as one of the country’s best technology universities, and a source of promising talent for the job market.”

The Formula Student competition is now 44 years old, bringing together more than 600 teams from more than 20 different countries every year. The races are both static and dynamic in nature, requiring teams to not only make a prototype that is reliable, but also to know how to justify their decisions in terms of design, costs, and manufacturing over the entire season.

FST Lisbon is comprised of 50 students from six different degree courses, including Aerospace Engineering, Mechanics, Computer Science and Electrotechnics. The team was created in 2001 with the development of the first prototype, and now has 12 finished models.