Strategist
A fast solar car is of little value if you don't use it wisely. The strategist determines how fast Nuna should drive to reach the finish line as quickly as possible. He also takes the weather into account. For example, should you drive a bit faster to stay ahead of the clouds, or slow down if you expect more headwind? Using an algorithm he designs himself, the strategist calculates the optimal strategy to race across the finish line as the winner.
In the design phase, the strategist helps the other technical disciplines by thinking along and calculating which innovations will deliver the most benefits. For example, do you choose a more efficient motor if you know it’s much heavier? With a quantitative analysis, he makes the final decision on design choices. Once the car is built, the strategist examines how much energy the solar panel generates and how much energy the car consumes. With these models, he can maximize Nuna's performance to ensure the team wins the World Solar Challenge.