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Innoptus Solar Team
The Innoptus Solar Team consists of Belgian engineering students from KU Leuven who aim to build the most innovative and efficient solar car possible. As of 2023, the team can depend on Innoptus as its main sponsor to help it achieve its goal.
On Oct. 26, the Innoptus Solar Team drove the Infinite across the finish line first. This makes the team world champions for the second time!
October 26th 2023: world champions!
Today, Oct. 26, the Belgians secured the coveted title, fulfilling their ultimate goal. After 15 months of work on their solar car, the Infinite, they crossed the finish line in Adelaide as the first to do so. The students thus take home the world title for the second time in a row.
October 22nd, 2023 - October 26th,2023: On your marks? Set. Go!
On October 22, the race began. 3021 km through the Australian Outback, solely powered by solar energy. Who can complete these kilometers as quickly as possible? The Innoptus Solar Team has a title to defend. During the previous edition in 2019, they became world champions. This year, there is increased competition because the 2021 race was canceled.
Race updates:
- Day 1: Darwin – Dunmarra: 776/3021 km: average 97 km/h
After a smooth start, the team quickly secured first place by overtaking the Aachen Solar Team. - Day 2: Dunmarra – Alice Springs: 1494/3021 km: average 95 km/h
During the hottest day of the championship, the Infinite increased its lead over the Dutch teams. They drove past several forest fires, which required a strategy adjustment. - Day 3: Alice Springs – Coober Pedy: 2137/3021 km: average 89 km/h
The Twente Solar Team made up some of their lag, resulting in the Innoptus Solar Team having only a 24-kilometer lead. In this part of the race, teams face strong crosswinds, making the Infinite's secret weapon, the fin, very useful. - Day 4: Coober Pedy – Port Augusta: /3021 km: average 89.5 km/h
The Innoptus Solar Team expanded their lead over the pursuers, again thanks to the fin providing additional stability and energy savings. The team ended the day 213 km from the finish. - Day 5: Port Augusta – Adelaide: 3021/3021 km
WORLD CHAMPION! The Infinite crossed the finish line first in Adelaide. After a flawless race with exciting pursuit by Solar Team Twente, the Innoptus Solar Team takes home the world title again.
Read more about the Solar Team
Stay up to date on our journey with the Solar Team on our LinkedIn-page
September, 2023: On the Road
Time to leave! We’re sending of INFINITE at the end of August. The Solar Car will be transported to Australia by airplane.
Two weeks after, the team leaves as well. Giving them a month in Australia to test the car, to do some final adjustments and acclimate to the warmer climate. This way they are ready to race!
August, 2023: Racing simulations
Time to test! In August the students are taking their car to the test track to test it thoroughly. How does it drive? How does it react on certain circumstances? Are all systems functioning as designed? Everything to be prepared for the World Championships!
July, 2023: Into the wind tunnel
The new Solar Car must be streamlined to the max! For this, the team did a lot of CFD simulations.
In July, the team is testing their new vehicle in the wind tunnel to examine whether the simulations correspond to reality.
It is also a great way to find out if there are some minor adjustments necessary before the Solar Car leaves for Australia. Because of these wind tests, the designers can also see how the car performs under certain types of wind and how to use this to their advantage.
July 14th, 2023: New car, new name!
Meet INFINITE, the 10th Belgian Solar Car!
Every two year, the Innoptus Solar Team design a completely new Solar Car bases on new ideas, simulations and experiments. The other year, they innovate and improve the currently existing car.
This year the students designed a completely new car, which is called INFINITE. A fitting name, considering that the Ansys solutions from Infinite have had a big impact on the design of the vehicle. After lots of simulations, the Solar Team was able to design a super aerodynamic car with which they are going to defend their World Title this October.
Innoptus?
As a company, Innoptus wants to take social corporate responsibility and bridge the gap between education and industry. It provides high-end technology and expertise, which allows the Innoptus Solar Team engineers to work with the best technology and best practices. Innoptus can and wants to play an active, supporting role, and the best way to do so is through intense collaboration.
Innoptus is part of the 4ITEGO Group together with Infinite. Both Innoptus and Infinite are sponsors of the Solar Team. The Solar Team can use Ansys software and expertise through Infinite for its simulations. In terms of design and data management, Innoptus supports the team with PTC software and know-how to optimise their product development process. The rebranding of CadCorner and the GPO Solutions made it crucial for us that Innoptus gained more visibility in the market. Infinite is already well established, which is why we choose to link the Innoptus name to the Solar Team.
