Translated with DeepL
Since 2023, the interdisciplinary team has been pursuing an ambitious goal: to design its own electric car for participation in the international Formula Student. This brings together ideas from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science and materials technology. What is taught in theory is tested in practice here. With team spirit, precision and passion.
A vision has now developed into a concrete project. Racing OST has established efficient club structures and developed several central vehicle components itself.
These include the Vehicle Control Unit. It functions like the electronic brain of the vehicle and controls and coordinates all systems. The chassis, which establishes the connection between the road and the vehicle, was also developed in-house. It also has its own inverter. It converts the direct current from the battery into alternating current to drive the electric motors.
Initial aerodynamic concept studies show how much engineering skill and creativity has gone into the project. Such a project would hardly be possible without support. Partners from industry and academia as well as funding organisations such as the SATW are making an important contribution to turning the students' ideas into reality.
Even before the vehicle was fully ready to drive, Racing OST 2025 took its first step into the racing arena. The team took part in Formula Student Switzerland in the Business Plan Presentation, Cost and Manufacturing and Engineering Design disciplines and gained valuable competition experience. These insights are worth their weight in gold for the further development of the vehicle and for preparing for future racing events.
Participation with a fully built electric racing vehicle is planned for 2026. In the long term, the team is working on further developing the vehicle - including with a fibre composite monocoque as a highly stable, lightweight structure and the option of having the racing vehicle drive autonomously in the future. With these further developments, Racing OST is not only creating the basis for greater competitiveness, but also for trialling future-oriented technologies in racing car construction.
With this project, the students are creating both a vehicle and knowledge that will have an impact far beyond the race track. Racing OST shows what practice-orientated engineering training can look like today: enthusiastic about technology, future-oriented and supported by team spirit.
The SATW supports its member company, the Swiss Society for Automatic Control, which submitted the Racing OST project, as part of its specialised funding.
