Devesh Mistry, a final year post graduate student of product design at the NID and a two-time winner of the KCMAAE, laid emphasis on making the truck cabin a bit more comfortable for the driver and co-passengers.

His design incorporates optical system that enhances the view at the rear end, making it easier for the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle. It also includes a mirror cleaning device and a cooling system that uses water jets and good ergonomics.

The first prize was won by a team from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, while the second prize went to the team from K L Society’s Gogate Institute of Technolofy, Belgaum. The winners were selected from among 60 entries received from different institutions across the country.

Rajiv Kalita from the winning team said, “Keeping in mind the 2015 theme, we made our design a bit futuristic. Our truck cabin will be like a home for the driver and the helper. It is in two levels and has a chemical toilet, mini workout area, plasma TV, a pantry and everything that would be needed in a long journey”. The cabin also boasts of retractable telescopic forks that will close the trolley when not loaded, making the vehicle no bigger than a SUV.

According to Kalita, the cabin has been designed in a way that the driver would not require to stop for any utility. “He can drive on for days,” says Kalita.

The second placed cabin design boasts of its own solar power panels and turbines to harness energy from wind. According to the innovators, the two wind powered turbines on the top were installed to generate power when the truck would be moving. This would help in recharging the batteries, which will be connected to the engine via the dynamo for the process. The other feature is the cameras placed at the rear instead of rear view mirrors, which would display the images on a panel placed in front of the driver.

Dr Arun Juara, senior vice-president, global product development, automotive sector, Mahindra and Mahindra, while awarding the winners, said, “It is a motivational award. It will help in nurturing creativity and also forge Industry-Institute Partnerships. Also, some of the design components presents can even be incorporated in our future products if found feasible.”

Dr Darlie Koshy, director NID, said industry-institute interactions were a welcome initiative towards research and product development.