“Our minds and our hearts are always working in the same function.”
– Mora Saho
Unlike in highly developed industrialized countries like Germany, mobility is not a matter of course in many parts of the world. All the more so if it is to be environmentally friendly and affordable at the same time. Lack of financial resources, no car and unreliable, but expensive, public transportation make everyday life difficult for people who have to travel long distances to work, do their shopping and take their children to school.
Mora Saho recognized this problem in his native Gambia and wanted to do something about it. He found a valuable partner and supporter of his idea in Klaus Wiesler and together they founded Project Gambia Solar Energy in early 2020. Further support was found at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences for Automotive Engineering and Systems.
With a student team of four to eight students, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Auerbach and Prof. Dr. Rer. Pol. Wolfgang Gruel , professors at the Faculty of Mobility and Technology and experts in alternative vehicle concepts and urban mobility, are developing the technical components of the project. Every semester, two to four students from the Media University Stuttgart join the team and contribute their specific skills in the field of marketing and communication to the project.
Head Manager
Mora Saho
Project Initiator
Klaus Wiesler
Project Initiator
Wolfgang Gruel
Project Manager
Students
Patrick Issle
Automotive
Engineering
Fabian Koch
Automotive Engineering
Julian Schwarz
Automotive Engineering
Maximilian Dillitzer
Automotive Engineering
Moritz Albrecht
Automotive Engineering
Amelie Franz
Media Economics
Ann-Kathrin Frank
Media Economics
Lena Rehm
Media Economics
Christoph Strohmaier
Media Economics
Team
summer ’23
More power. One of the challenges the team at Esslingen University is facing this semester. Among other things, this is to be made possible by using a 48V Li-ion battery. Further, the new system is to be fused and tested and the lighting is to be connected to the on-board network. It’s all about intuitive driving.
For a wider public reach of the project, the Team at Media University developed a marketing strategy and created basic media tools, such as flyers, presentation, website and an image film in collaboration with Majac Media Academy in The Gambia. More sponsors are being sought.
Team
Winter ’22/’23
Thanks to the capabilities of Manuel and Niko, the drive system could be used in a marketable automobile. The conversion is a milestone in this project.
From a media point of view, Jasmin, Adrian and Leonardo decided to give the project a face and create the website. In addition, the project should be promoted through public relations.
Leonard Parisi
Media Economics
Adrian Aubele
Media Economics
Manuel Nüssle
Automotive Engineering
Jasmin Winter
Media Informatics
Nico Dangel
Media Informatics
Patrick Issle
Automotive Engineering
Fabian Koch
Automotive Engineering
Maximilian Dillitzer
Automotive Engineering
Julian Schwarz
Automotive Engineering
Moritz Albrecht
Automotive Engineering
Coming Soon
Nele Ferdinand
Media Economics
Coming Soon
Julia Kremer
Media Economics
Coming Soon
Isabel Fischer
Media Economics
Coming Soon
Lisa Papazois
Media Economics
Team
Summer ’22
Laying the foundations. With the proof that a truck generator can be converted into an e-motor and used to power a vehicle, the construction of a prototype to validate the drive system began. The aim was to develop a drive concept that can be built from old parts.
At the end of the semester, this step was achieved and a first test setup of an operating system with the control box could be carried out in The Gambia. The result was positive.
The Media University team developed an initial business model on how to implement the propulsion system in The Gambia, taking into account the customer segment, partners, marketing and income streams.