College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 4

College of Engineering

Department - Author 4

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 4

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 5

College of Engineering

Department - Author 5

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 5

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2026

Primary Advisor

Lawrence Domingo, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Additional Advisors

Hyeonik Song, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

In this Final Design Report, the Cal Poly Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge Contending Team competed in Sun Hydraulics’ 2026 Fluid Powered Vehicle Challenge. The objective of the competition is to expose college students to the fluid power sector, the “hidden giant” of the engineering industry. Specifically, student teams are tasked with the development of a human-powered, fluid-driven vehicle for use in various competitive settings. The team prioritized the optimization of an existing prototype for simplicity, ease of maintenance, and reliability during the competition. The existing prototype exhibited issues related to the main frame’s deflection under load, a lack of gear shifting capability, and was not easy to maintain quickly in a competition setting. As such, the main design upgrades implemented were an additional steel-tubed frame assembly, a multi-gear system with capability for regeneration, a simplified and optimized electronic system, and an improved layout for the hydraulic system’s hosing lines. While the team certainly maintained the spirit of competitive innovation throughout the project, rider safety, vehicle sturdiness, and system adaptability were paramount to the performance success during competition. Competition events were measured as follows:

  • SPRINT – How quickly can the vehicle travel 300 feet on flat ground?
  • EFFICIENCY – Corrected for overall mass and accumulator gas “precharge”, how far can the vehicle travel powered by pressure generated over five minutes?
  • ENDURANCE – How far can the vehicle travel in the “direct drive” mode in 15 minutes?
  • REGENERATION – Can the vehicle travel ten feet, driven solely by the pressure accumulated after a low-speed, pressure-limited period motion?
  • SAFETY – Does the vehicle have any active leaks (defined as a droplet of fluid that visibly accumulates and falls to the ground?
  • PRESENTATION – Does the team’s presentation meet the requirements set out by the judges?

The 2026 team did not place in the top 3 teams overall throughout the events. However, the vehicle won the Judges’ Choice Award for Design, scored 1st place in Endurance (traveled 12,200 feet in 15 minutes), and scored 3rd in Efficiency (calculated vehicle efficiency of 25% mechanical work output to pressure energy stored).

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