The SOLIS team of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN), the creator of the SOLIS Hyperion solar vehicle, is the winner of the SAB 2025 Scholarship, a national innovation competition organized by The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania in partnership with the Bucharest Auto Salon & Accessories (SAB). The award ceremony took place on Friday, October 10, at the Bucharest Auto Salon, in the presence of representatives of the FDVDR, SAB, and the SOLIS team, composed of Gabriela-Adelina Andronache, Raymond Nemeth and Georgiana Mureșan.
The topic of this year's edition - "Put artificial intelligence in motion. Involve AI in urban mobility innovation" - brought dozens of projects developed by students, researchers and young tech-savvy people to the competition.
The SOLIS Hyperion project has distinguished itself by integrating the principles of sustainability and the use of green technologies in the construction of a 100% solar powered vehicle. The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania awarded the team the 5,000 euro prize in recognition of their contribution to the development of intelligent mobility and applied engineering in Romania.
The SOLIS Hyperion vehicle recently participated in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025, the most prestigious international competition dedicated to solar cars, held in Australia. The Romanian team competed against 36 teams from 18 countries, driving over 3,000 kilometers across the Australian desert, from Darwin to Adelaide, using only solar energy.
The Hyperion is the most advanced vehicle developed by the SOLIS team. Featuring a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, an extended 6 m² solar surface, a Halo protection system and a 3 kWh battery, the vehicle combines energy efficiency with safety and performance.
The SOLIS team is part of the national campaign "100 Youngsters for Romania's Development", run by the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, which promotes young people who contribute to the progress of society through innovation.
The SAB Scholarship Competition, now in its 8th edition, is one of the most important initiatives dedicated to young innovators in Romania. Through it, The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania supports applied research, technological innovation and sustainable development in the field of mobility.
