Draft:Formula Electric Racing-NUST

The Formula Electric Racing-NUST (FERN), also called FERN, is a Formula Student operated in the Pakistan Navy Engineering College. Located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

Overview
Team Formula Electric Racing – NUST (FERN) is a Formula Student team based in Pakistan Navy Engineering College-NUST, Karachi. It designs and fabricates formula-styled electric vehicles and participates in various international competitions with the aim of representing Pakistan and National University of Science and Technology (NUST) amongst the top universities from around the world.

History
The team was formed back in 2014. It set out to Cyprus, to participate in the Solar Car Challenge, winning the best Electric Propulsion Systems Award. This initiated the idea to design and develop a fully electric Vehicle for Pakistan. This milestone was achieved in 2016 with the team’s participation at the Formula SAE Electric US, becoming the first Pakistani Formula Student team to raise the green flag on American soil, all the while manufacturing Pakistan’s First Formula-Styled Electric Vehicle. This was the team’s first ever exposure representing the nation and NUST at an international formula student competition. Despite the odds, they managed to become the 4th most cost-effective team at the competition out of a total 120+ teams from around the globe. Two years after its first representation, the team participated in IMechE Formula Student UK held at Silverstone, Northamptonshire in 2018 as the only electric vehicle from Pakistan. Out of 97 registered universities, NUST managed to get the 9th position in the Electric Vehicle category. The team also completed the technical inspection of its Chassis, earning its sticker. The team was all set to participate in the IMechE Formula Student UK 2020 event with their next more efficient iteration of the vehicle, however, the pandemic struck, and the event was shifted to a Virtual Event. The team, amidst the difficulties, managed to do well. NUST secured 4th position in the business event, 10th position in the Cost and Manufacturing event and an overall 21st position out of 100+ teams. In 2021, the team from NUST again participated in IMechE Formula Student UK 2021 event, in which they secured 3rd position in Engineering & Design Event in which the team was required to present multiple presentations based on vehicle dynamics, engineering design and team management. NUST managed to achieve an overall 18th position. After the FERN’s success in Formula Student UK, they decided to further extend their legacy and leave a mark at the Formula Student Academy Russia as well. Formula Electric Racing-NUST achieved 2nd positon overall. This was the First-Ever Podium for Pakistan in any International Competition. This landmark achievement left a mark among the international community that a team from NUST Pakistan is a force to be reckoned with. In 2020, Team Formula Electric Racing-NUST initiated Project Driverless. The team took on the challenge to develop Pakistan’s First fully functional Formula-Styled Autonomous Vehicle and participate in Formula Student AI (FSAI) category as the first ever representation from Asia. By 2021, FERN had successfully developed the autonomous software stack to compete in the event becoming the one of the only 2 teams from Asia to do so. Participating as the sole representative from Pakistan in the Electric Category of Formula Student UK 2023, the team took immense pride in showcasing our nation on an international platform, competing against over 100+ teams worldwide. Formula Electric Racing NUST was only team from Pakistan and the South Asian region to become a Finalist in the Cost & Manufacturing Event involving trade-off decisions between content and cost, make-or-buy determinations, and distinguishing between prototype and mass production.

Our Vision
The main purpose of forming the team was to represent Pakistan and NUST on the international front, displaying a soft image of the country and potential of NUSTians, promote sustainability by introducing an electric vehicle culture in the country, encourage the youth interested to pursue STEM related careers, all the while helping them gain international exposure by competing with universities from all around the globe.

Season 2023-24
Having successfully participated in FSUK 2023, the team gained invaluable experience and knowledge that has further fueled their passion for pushing the boundaries. For the upcoming FSUK 2024, the team has set their sights on competing in the Driverless category, an ambitious move that underscores their commitment regardless of financial challenges that prevented them from registering last season. As we gear up for the upcoming competition, Team Formula Electric Racing NUST is dedicated to surmounting past obstacles and is wholeheartedly committed to presenting the best version of our driverless vehicle.

First Electric Vehicle of Pakistan:
Formula Electric Racing-NUST has the privilege of manufacturing the first ever Formula Style Electric Vehicle of Pakistan in 2016.

Innovation Award of Year 2016:
FERN bagged the People's Choice Innovator of the year award at Pakistan Innovation Foundation - PIF National Awards Ceremony held on 8th Dec 2016.

Momentum Tech Conference:
Formula Electric Racing - NUST made its way to the top 20 out of 175+ startups, in the Momentum Tech Conference held in February 2017.

Spirit of Exhibition of Award:
Formula Electric Racing - NUST received Spirit of Exhibition Award in ITIF Asia Auto & Trade Exhibition in March 2017.

HBL PSL Hamarey Heroes:
Team Formula Electric Racing - NUST takes pride in being nominated for HBL PSL Hamaray Heroes, where our team's achievements were recognized in being the only electric team to have represented Pakistan in international competitions.

3rd Position in FSUK 2021:
Formula Electric Racing - NUST has achieved 3rd position in the Engineering Design Event which consisted of multiple presentations based on vehicle dynamics, design decisions and team management.

Inhouse Battery Management System (BMS):
Team Formula Electric Racing-NUST is among the few formula student teams to develop and use their own BMS instead of procuring from other sources. Patents: Electric powertrain components including the cell module and battery management system have been developed and applied for patents.

First Ever Podium Finish of Pakistan:
Team Formula Electric Racing - NUST extended its legacy by achieving an overall 2nd position in Formula Student Russia 2021.

AI Software Stack:
After completion of the AI Software Stack in April 2023, Team Formula Electric Racing - NUST, became the first and only team from Pakistan to have successfully registered for the Driverless category of Formula Student 2024.

FERN x TESLA:
In 2022, Team Formula Electric Racing - NUST became one of the 3 teams from Asia and the only team from Pakistan to gain TESLA's technical sponsorship awarded only to the most top tier Formula Student teams from across the globe.

IDEAS’22 Karachi:
Team FERN was invited to represent National University of Science and Technology (NUST) at the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar 2022. Their latest iteration, EV-4, was exhibited amongst the other multinational organizations. The team, along with other projects from the university were awarded with being the best stall with 6’ by 6’ dimension.

Finalist in FSUK 2023:
Team's remarkable achievement stands as securing the 5th position in the cost and manufacturing event among more than 100 participating teams. Formula Electric Racing NUST stood out as the sole representative from Pakistan and the entire South Asian region to reach the finals of this event.