Blue Flash Team
Founded in 2014/2015 and located right in the middle of Germany, Blue Flash is the Formula Student team of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK) in Göttingen. Together with students from the Georg-August University and trainees from various institutes, we form an interdisciplinary team that has now been competing in events for a decade. As a comparatively small team, it is even more challenging to balance manpower, finances and technical capabilities, yet we are dedicated to building a new and improved racing car every year.
Wheel assembly with LM13 encoder for measuring rotation speed.
With our goal of competing with a driverless vehicle, reliable and accurate sensor data is essential - not only for vehicle validation, but also for knowing where and how fast the car is. Using various sensors for wheel speed measurement (LM13) and retrieving the angles of our suspension mounting (with RM08 miniature encoders), sensors from RLS enable us to work on dynamic traction control and to evaluate our dampers. Neither of these sensors was part of the initial design process of our original wheel assemblies and rocker bolts when we first incorporated them, but the range of different variants RLS offers and some inventive engineering made them a great fit nonetheless. As all these sensors use magnetic measurements, they are highly resistant to dirt and water, which are common in dusty workshops and during long testing days.
The most important improvement for our driverless vehicle development has been the incorporation of a steering angle sensor. Mounted just below the steering shaft, next to our driverless steering motor, an indispensable RLS Orbis rotary encoder tells us precisely which way our E_HAWKs are heading. This has, for the first time in our team’s history, allowed us to participate in the Driverless Cup at an official event at FSG25.
RLS Orbis used as a steering angle sensor, with housing and steering motor at the top right.
Over the past years, RLS has always been a very helpful and reliable partner. With smooth and easy communication, together we have always found ways to overcome technical difficulties and make lasting improvements to our vehicle development.
About Blue Flash Mobility Concepts
The Blue Flash Team was founded in late 2014 by 30 students from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Since then, they have participated in the Formula Student competition, designing and building a new race car each year while managing all aspects from planning and financing to driving in the events. Motivated by a passion for technology and motorsport, they aim to strengthen their skills and prepare for future careers. Safety and reliability are central to their philosophy, and their mission is to create the safest and most dependable vehicle in Formula Student, proudly presented under the motto “Made in Göttingen.”
The E_HAWK25 competing at FSG25 in Hockenheim.
