AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Baja SAE is a competition where engineering students from colleges and universities around the world design and build small, off-road cars from scratch. Sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), these cars are meant to navigate rough terrains like dirt, mud and rocks. Teams compete in several tests and races to see whose car is the top performer — the best of the best. At Embry-Riddle, the Baja SAE Laboratory is equipped with four workstations dedicated to each main subsystem of the vehicle: Drivetrain, Suspension, Brakes and Ergonomics. The lab is utilized by Embry-Riddle’s Baja SAE team, which was founded in 2005, to build, test and race single-seat off-road Baja vehicles for competition. Now, the team is primarily female-led and works to empower its members in the male-dominated field of vehicle design and assembly. Bridget O’Connell (’26), the Chief Technical Officer and President of the Baja SAE Team, shared her thoughts on the value of participating on the team. “All members, including new ones, learn about the entire engineering process. Members who had never used a drill before are now welding and fabricating, which is a huge accomplishment,” she said. “We are more than happy to teach anyone about the necessary tools to be successful in this lab.” The Baja SAE Lab presents an exciting opportunity to develop advanced skills through hands-on activities, build connections with peers across engineering disciplines and establish lasting academic and professional relationships that extend far beyond graduation.
DRIVETRAIN The system that transfers power from the engine to the wheels.
SUSPENSION Controls the vehicle’s ride and handling by absorbing shocks.
BRAKES Slow down or stop the vehicle safely in challenging conditions.
ERGONOMICS Designing for comfort and efficiency in the vehicle’s interior.
Florida | Arizona | Worldwide / Online | embryriddle.edu | 6
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker