The trio, composed of Yang Yi-hsiang(student from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Yu Chen-yen(graduate student from the same department), and Lin Jya-hsien (student from the Life Sciences Department) participated in the 2006 Nissan “Design the Future” Contest, representing NTU. When the results were disclosed on October 25th, the trio had won the Gold Medal in the “Vehicle Electrical System Design” Category, and the prizes included a brand new Nissan TIIDA, plus invitations to visit the Nissan Design Center (NDC) and the Nissan Concept Vehicle Design Center (CBI, Creative Box Inc) together.

Their winning entry was a tele-metering device using sensors to detect the distance between a vehicle body and external objects. Utilizing two dimensional image-forming technology, this device enables the driver to effectively gauge the distance between the vehicle and potential obstacles, thereby eliminating all possible blind spots, and heightening driving safety.In the future, this new device can be further integrated with the overhead monitor, allowing the driver to see the distance between the car and its obstacles on the liquid crystal display (LCD).

Their guiding professor, Dr. Cheng Jung-ho of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, indicated that in order to repay their debt of gratitude, these three students have decided to sell the prize car and donate the money to the “Formosun” Solar Racing Team, which is NTU’s entry to participate in the 2007 Australian World Solar Challenge.