Institution news
Felix will be contributing to the conference programme with his presentation “Soiling Pattern Analysis on the Side Mirror Glass for Road Testing”. We asked him for his thoughts on the challenges facing engineers in this field.
Q: Please can you briefly explain your role and involvement in vehicle aerodynamics.
Felix Schilling (FS): As a research assistant at FKFS/IFS University Stuttgart I support the vehicle soiling tests in our thermal wind tunnel. In addition, I am responsible for improving the existing testing process as well as the development of new methods.
Q: In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers when managing the aerodynamics of a vehicle?
FS: The decision-making in interdisciplinary teams and the needed multi-objective optimization of the vehicle.
Q: What is the most exciting development in the field of aerodynamics at the moment?
FS: The clean keeping of the increasing number of sensors in the vehicles as they perform more and more safety related functions.
Q: Given the changes in automotive design over the last ten years, what do you see for the future of aerodynamics over the next five to ten years?
FS: Further changes in the vehicle design due to the rise of EVs and their requirements onto the aerodynamics.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this year’s International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics?
FS: To stay in touch with the newest developments and to learn more about aerodynamics in other contexts than the own field of work.
International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics 2020 takes place on 8 December 2020.
Taking place live and online, the Institution’s conference will cover the latest developments and technologies in aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and aerothermal design, test and development. Featuring peer-reviewed presentations, this year’s event features the latest technical developments in the field from engineers at Aston Martin Lagonda, Jaguar Land Rover, HORIBA MIRA, University of Stuttgart, FKFS, Dassault Systemes and others.
For full details and to book your place please visit the event website.