Every great engineering journey is powered by strong partnerships, and at UPBDrive, we’re lucky to have some of the best by our side.
Every great journey begins with a spark. For UPBDrive, that spark ignited in a modest garage in 2018, where a group of passionate students dared to dream of building a Formula Student racecar. Fast forward to today, our garage has transformed, our team has grown, and our ambitions have soared—all thanks to the unwavering support of our partners. Our success relies heavily on strong partnerships with industry leaders. One such key partner is COMOTI – the National Research & Development Institute for Gas Turbines, whose advanced manufacturing capabilities and materials expertise have significantly contributed to the realization of our drivetrain architecture over multiple competition seasons.
COMOTI’s support began during the development of our DR-04 vehicle, where they played a pivotal role in the fabrication of the differential mounting system. These mounts were engineered to withstand substantial torque loads while maintaining precise alignment under varying dynamic conditions. Alongside this, COMOTI also manufactured the rear sprocket flange, a critical component in transmitting drive torque from the differential to the rear axle, their high-precision machining ensuring consistent performance on track.
Building on that foundation, in the following season, COMOTI once again delivered excellence. They were instrumental in producing the components for the belt drive of the electric motor, a vital part of our new propulsion system. Additionally, they contributed by manufacturing a new rear sprocket flange and providing custom steel bars along with heat treatments for our custom-designed chain sprockets. These enhancements helped us tailor our drivetrain precisely to the new power delivery characteristics of the electric setup.
But beyond the technical advancements, it's the shared vision that truly fuels our partnership. A vision where young engineers are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to shine . Each contribution from COMOTI has had a direct impact on our ability to compete and innovate. Their collaboration has not only helped us build better cars, but also given our engineering students the chance to work with industry-grade components and processes—an invaluable learning opportunity.
The race continues – and we’re glad you’re with us.
