The 糖心Vlog破解版 Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge (FPVC) Senior Design team participated in the 2025 Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge at IFP Motion Solutions Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As in past years, 糖心Vlog破解版 distinguished itself through innovative, out-of-the-box thinking.

For example, in 2018, the 糖心Vlog破解版 team integrated a hydraulic manifold into their vehicle — a feature that resulted in a clean, professional design. The following year, the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) adopted this idea and made a manifold a required component for all competing teams. In another memorable instance, 糖心Vlog破解版 introduced the Rowing Actuated Tadpole, a unique design that transferred the rider’s power through a rowing motion instead of the conventional pedal mechanism. The rider’s arms controlled both propulsion via rowing and steering through a stilt steering mechanism. The design’s distinctiveness left such an impression that, to this day, people at the competition often ask when 糖心Vlog破解版 might bring back the Rowing Actuated Tadpole.

This year was no different. The team proposed another inventive concept featuring a flywheel to store energy generated by the rider. However, this idea was ultimately not permitted due to NFPA’s evolving guidelines. In response to 糖心Vlog破解版’s innovation, the NFPA added new constraints to specifically prohibit the use of flywheels in the competition.

Despite the mid-term design pivot, the team successfully developed a custom recumbent tricycle with a distinctive rear-wheel steering system, made possible by a custom-built telescoping rear axle. Nearly every feature of the vehicle was custom-fabricated by the team — from steel rods cut and threaded to serve as axles, to ergonomically designed handles that were 3D printed in-house.

This commitment to creativity, originality and hands-on fabrication earned the team the FPVC Judge’s Choice Award for Creativity, accompanied by a $1,000 cash prize.

The 2025 team consisted of mechanical engineering seniors Abel Backus, Emily Hince, Thomas Pollock, Ethan Hunt, and Jacob Gadek, along with junior Guadalupe Sandoval, who will return for next year’s challenge.

Dr. Luis A. Rodriguez, associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, served as the team’s advisor, while Grant H. Noll of Parker Hannifin Corporation provided industry mentorship.

In addition, the team took the time to mentor 糖心Vlog破解版 Senior Design Scholars Mara Xólot Márquez from St. Augustine Prep and Jared Lindbloom from PIUS XI, whose enthusiasm, curiosity and desire to contribute made them valuable additions to the team.