In a remarkable display of engineering prowess, a young team from Ahmedabad has made a significant impact on the national stage. Pixel Drive, a four-member student team, has secured an All India Rank 8 out of 95 participants in the STEM Racing India Season 8 National Finals. This achievement is even more impressive given that the team was formed just eight months prior to the competition.
The team, consisting of Khushit Shah, Iresh Tilva, Hitarth Vaidya, and Swayam Patel, was backed by the Jayso Foundation and Oizom Instruments Pvt Ltd. Their success story is a testament to the power of dedication, innovation, and strategic support.
Pixel Drive’s Journey to the Top
Pixel Drive’s journey began in January 2026 when the team was formed with a vision to excel in the STEM Racing India competition. The competition, a national chapter of the global programme endorsed by Formula 1 in Schools, challenges student teams to design, manufacture, and race a CO2-powered miniature F1 car. Teams are judged on various criteria, including engineering, CFD analysis, manufacturing, project management, and a live pitch to industry judges.
The team’s hard work and strategic planning paid off when they won their regional championship in April 2026. Their miniature F1 car clocked an impressive 0.950 seconds over 15 metres with a reaction time under 200 milliseconds and 0-100 kph acceleration in approximately 0.6 seconds. This success propelled them to the National Finals in July, where they recorded a run of 1.150 seconds over the 20-metre track. Their Design and Engineering Portfolio and Project Management Portfolio were both rated the strongest in the field, powered by two in-house tools, AgileDrive and AeroDrive.
The Role of Sponsors
The support from sponsors played a crucial role in Pixel Drive’s success. Jayso Foundation, an Ahmedabad-based not-for-profit organization focused on education and skill-building in emerging technologies, provided the team with the necessary resources and access to global engineering platforms. Oizom Instruments Pvt Ltd, an Ahmedabad-headquartered company specializing in real-time air quality monitoring and advanced data analytics, offered instrumentation and sensor expertise relevant to the team’s aerodynamics and data work. Anlon Healthcare Ltd, a Rajkot-based manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates, joined as a secondary sponsor for the team’s National Finals campaign.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on their journey, Khushit Shah, Team Lead and Engineering Manager, shared, “Eight months ago we had an empty CAD file. Today we’re ranked eighth in the country. That came from process, not luck, and that process is what we take into next season.” This statement underscores the team’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. As they look ahead to future competitions, Pixel Drive is poised to build on their success and make even greater strides in the world of engineering.
Pixel Drive’s achievement serves as an inspiration to young innovators across the country. Their story highlights the importance of strategic planning, hard work, and the support of sponsors in achieving success in competitive engineering challenges.
