BAJA SAEINDIA 2021 commences its 14th edition

SAEINDIA, a professional Society of Automotive Engineers has announced the commencement of the 14th edition of the much-awaited BAJA SAEINDIA 2021 series (Digital Event).

Two hundred entries across the engineering colleges in India were received for BAJA SAEINDIA 2021, out of which 150 teams are registered for conventional m-BAJA & 50 teams are registered for e-BAJA event. BAJA SAEINDIA tasks the students to conceptualise design, build, test & validate a single-seater four-wheeled All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to take part in a series of events spread across a course of four days.

A remarkable feature unique to BAJA SAEINDIA is the adoption of a new theme every year. BAJA SAEINDIA 2021 is about ‘Embracing Challenges’ by converting barriers into opportunities. As the world faces a test of survival and simultaneously, the automotive industry adopts trends like electrification of vehicles, stricter emission and crash norms, BAJA SAEINDIA presents a challenge to the budding engineering leaders to embrace this scenario and spark path breaking ideas to lead a new and exciting future of recreational Off-road All-Terrain Vehicles.

Embracing the challenges, BAJA SAEINDIA 2021 edition will be held on a digital platform for the first time ever involving static as well as dynamic events, considering the health concerns of all stakeholders involved.

The primary reasons for the modified event structure are the criticality of the pandemic situation and the society’s responsibility for community health. Besides, there is no option of hosting an in-person event involving 10,000 students, judges, faculties, and volunteers. Additionally, keeping in mind the academic pressure and exam schedules which teams will have in upcoming semesters upon returning to their respective campuses, the society believes that the participants will find it extremely difficult to adhere to limited timelines and accommodate their budget requirements with respect to manufacturing, testing and validation of their ATV for an in-person event.

In order to keep the learning opportunities provided by BAJA SAEINDIA intact in line with previous editions, BAJA SAEINDIA OC has decided to incorporate virtual dynamic events with the help of automotive simulation software combined with digital static events for 2021 edition.

The BAJA SAEINDIA 2021 event is planned to be conducted in 2 legs. The first leg i.e. Preliminary round of BAJA SAEINIDIA 2021 was conducted from December 11 to 13, 2020, wherein teams were asked to submit the Design Report of their buggy along with Automotive/Rulebook quiz and evaluation. This evaluation was not an elimination round, but the score obtained by teams will be added to final scores of the team.

The second leg will consist of Static Events done on personalised video conferencing software. Followed by this, the Dynamic events will be held virtually through IPG CarMaker. The virtual dynamic events will include Acceleration performance, Brake performance, Gradeability performance, Maneuverability performance, Suspension and traction performance &All-Terrain Performance.

Harshit Merchant, Convener, BAJA SAEINDIA 2021, said, "This year we face an exceptional trial in keeping the spirit of BAJA alive. Our theme of ‘Embracing Challenges’ accurately embodies this.  Social distancing and health safety of all individuals has taken centre stage throughout the World; and this has been foremost in our minds while conceptualising the format this year."

Rashmi Urdhwareshe, President SAEINDIA, said: “BAJA SAEINDIA is inspired by the values, ethos and it provides an opportunity for thousands of engineering students to put the skills they have picked up into practice. The competitive atmosphere at BAJA, always put learning at the front and nurtures the growth of an individual right before they enter the competitive environment of the industry. The competition enables them to grapple with a real-life application and improve their skills related to design, validation, marketing, project management, teamwork, etc., which boosts their self-confidence and teaches them leadership skills. Indeed, all of this will help BAJA SAEINDIA contribute to building yet another generation of readymade engineers. I wish all the participating teams at BAJA SAEINDIA 2021 the very best.”

Dr MadhuChitkara, Pro-Chancelloe, Chitkara University said, "I am glad that our association with BAJA SAE INDIA since the year 2015 is growing stronger with each passing year. The show must go on and Learning must continue in the current pandemic situation. For this new concept of simulation models in this event, we immediately extended our support to BAJA SAE INDIA with the necessary resources for hosting this event online at our Chitkara University. As the Host institute, I wish all the best to all the participating teams and much appreciate the Organizing Committee for raising the bar of event.

In India, the BAJA SAEINDIA (Society of Automotive Engineers) began its journey in the year 2007 and was launched under the leadership of Dr.Pawan Goenka of Mahindra & Mahindra (during his tenure as SAEINDIA President) and the convenorship of Dr. K.C. Vora. As SAEINDIA ventured on to the unchartered territory of holding a mega-event of this scale, NATRiP came forward to lend a helping hand through an earmarked zone at its upcoming proving grounds- NATRAX, situated at Pithampur, Indore. Similarly, Chitkara University came forward to organise the 2nd leg of BAJA SAEINDIA at Punjab.

This year, Chitkara University is the host institute and principal sponsor, BPCL is the Co-Sponsor and Michelin Tyres is Silver Sponsor for the event. IPG Car maker has kindly consented to conduct the Virtual event on their platform giving 1000 Licenses to the teams. Others sponsors like ARAI, AVL, ANSYS, ALTAIR, Anand Automotive, Briggs and Stratton, Cummins, Hero MotoCorp, Hexagon-MSC Corporation, Mahindra, MathWorks, NATRiP, Power Equipments, Varroc, Vitesco Technologies, etc. have also confirmed to continue and support the event. It is also supported by SIAM, ACMA, ASDC & AICTE. DHI’s support is also highly acknowledged.