UNIZULU competes in Cars4Mars Challenge

TWO fourth-year mechanical engineering students represented the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) in the recent Cars4Mars African Rover Challenge Competition finals held in Johannesburg.

- NALEDI HLEFANE

Njabulo Molife and Tshianeo Mphaphuli, together with their fellow competitors, were tasked with building a small, high-tech rover prototype with wireless operation capabilities and an independent power source (battery).

The first stage of the competition involved building the prototype as well as submitting a written report detailing the project strategy and a five-minute video showcasing the functions of the prototype. The latter included demonstrating various functions such as forward and backward movement, turning to avoid obstacles, transporting a 1kg object in an onboard container, and driving on difficult terrain like rocks, hills and sand.