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In
a hitherto unique project
bridging various fields of
profession, the trainees of
Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen
Mercedes-Benz plant have built a
Roadster with fuel cell drive.
For about a year, more than 150
trainees and dual education
system students worked on the
overall concept, development,
assembly, and completion of the
F-CELL Roadster. This project
involved junior employees from
the fields of automotive
mechatronics, model-building,
electronics, coating technology,
manufacturing mechanics, product
design, and interior
appointments. The prime
objective of the project was to
integrate the topic of
alternative drive systems into
training with hands-on
experience.
"This project impressively
demonstrates that the topic of
sustainable mobility has become
an integral part of our
vocational training," said Human
Resources Board member and Labor
Relations Manager Günther Fleig.
"I am delighted to see how much
initiative and creativity the
young people have put into this
project."
Tradition meets the future
The F-CELL Roadster uniquely
combines state-of-the-art
technologies with the history of
vehicle construction. As an
allusion to the Benz Patent
Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle
is fitted with large spoked
wheels. Moreover, the F-CELL
Roadster incorporates stylistic
elements from diverse eras of
automotive history, such as the
carbon-fiber bucket seats with
hand-stitched leather covers and
the distinctively styled
fiberglass front section, based
on the component from the
Formula One racing bolides.
The F-CELL Roadster is
controlled with drive-by-wire
technology, and a joystick takes
the place of a conventional
steering wheel. The vehicle is
powered by the emission-free
fuel cell system located at the
rear. With a power rating of 1.2
kW the F-CELL Roadster reaches a
top speed of 25 km/h and has an
operating range of up to 350 km. |
