Introduction

As a member of the Bosch Group, Rexroth pays particular attention to those initiatives that engage in raising environmental awareness, deal with the question of alternative energy sources and the efficient use of natural resources.It was this spirit that initiated the Rexroth Pneumobile Competition a few years ago. In this creative and innovative competition the participating students have to design and construct compressed air-driven vehicles before putting them through their paces at an event consisting of a number of categories and disciplines. During the course of the design and production process the students gain first-hand experience of pneumatic, that is to say compressed-air technology, while at the same time they become familiar with Rexroth products. On top of all the program presents an ideal opportunity to tighten the co-operation between the Bosch Rexroth companies and the technical universities and colleges in Hungary.

Thomas E. Beyer, General Manager of Robert Bosch Kft. and Representative of the Bosch Group in Hungar

„The Pneumobile competition is at the same time a meeting of minds, capable of combining theoritical knowledge, practical application and creativity.”

Géza Mátrai, General Manager, Bosch Rexroth Pneumatika Kft.

“When we started to organize the pneumobil competitions nobody was quite sure where it would all lead. We started from the premise that a large number of the engineering students would later go on to use Bosch Rexroth products during the course of their work, and that it would be in their interests to become familiar with them while they are at university. The reaction has been beyond our wildest dreams: the response was overwhelming. Although organizing a competition of this kind demands a lot of time and energy, it has all been worthwhile. Indeed, from what I have seen, for all their exertions those colleagues that have taken part have evidently enjoyed the experience. I am sure, that all the work we have invested in the event will not be in vain, and am absolutely delighted that in using the very special means that we have at our disposal we have been able to contribute to the training of Hungary’s engineers.”

István Gödri, General Manager, Bosch Rexroth Pneumatika Kft.

„This year’s pneumobil competition was extremely revealing, particularly in showing just how seriously the competitors take the event. There were such improvements on the vehicles that the teams starting with last year’s constructions - even if they were among the best ones one year ago - had no chance to win any prize.”

István Ács, General Manager, Bosch Rexroth Kft.

“Both the conception and the way it has been organized must be considered an enormous success. There is no greater proof than the fact one sees an ever increasing number of similar initiatives going on both within the engineering profession, and in the industrial-educational world at large. We can be proud of the fact that our original idea, and the realization thereof, has proved an inspiration to others, while at the same stimulating co-operation between the market, the universities and the students.”

Endre Tamás, Main Organizer, Bosch Rexroth Pneumatika Kft.

“The organization of this year’s competition was a much bigger challenge than the first one. One only needs to look at the number of participants, 31 teams from 12 Hungarian universities and colleges and two of such institutions from abroad. Last year we only had 16 teams. This year we saw the teams coming up with much more mature and imaginative constructions, something which was reflected in the ever improving performances of the vehicles.”