Follow Me - Knowing what we didn't know

It is our last of day of testing. The first set of tests went very well, and everyone was smiling afterwards. Today we are finishing with the second set of tests and while we knew that we were going to have a problem, we have now learnt what the problem actually is.
Knowing what the problem is, and not what we thought it would be, is a good place to start to make any modifications to correct it.
We will do a modification here to see if we are on the right track in terms of what we need to do, but the final changes can only be made once we are back at work.
To say that the week has been successful - we can definitely reply in the affirmative.
A little later today we will reassemble all the plates we had to remove to allow the high-speed cameras access to the areas we are interested in. A final inspection will be done to declare the Badger safe to travel before we start our journey home tomorrow.

Follow Me - When Things are Worthwhile

I dropped my lovely Samsung S3 from the top of the Badger and it fell itself to death on the rocks below. We are quite far away from any place that could replace or repair it here at the test facility, in the Northern Cape, making that option impossible.
For many people that could spell disaster at a test such as this one, but I am fortunate that the other members of my team are willing to help out and make calls on my behalf where necessary. We sorted out some ammunition that we needed (thank you, Derek) and some technical adjustments to the system we are testing (thank you, Derek and Nico). And these are only for the phone calls that I couldn't make.
The rest of the team are pulling their weight (Noel, Tienie, Paul and our youngest member Charl) during the firing. In the meantime Jors, André and Jeff are gathering the data that we need for the evaluations after the tests. Tomorrow it is Kassie's turn for directing the data we need to capture for the final section of the first part of our tests.
Some of the team are leaving soon, while more are flying in tonight and tomorrow for the second phase of our tests.
It wasn't a simple task to plan and schedule everyone in and out, since the facility is fairly isolated. That isolation also required tools and equipment that had to make the trip too, and my logistic right hand, Neville and our truck driver, Sam, did a sterling job on that score.
Yet, all those headaches are nothing when I see the smiles on the guys' faces at the end of the day. All those meetings and technical preparations beforehand were worth it as we are making terrific progress towards the results we are ultimately aiming for.
The only sad thing - I cannot post the pictures that I had taken of the guys, they are on my phone :(

Follow Me - Meeting People on the Road

We had arrived at our destination yesterday, and along the way we had met quite a number of people to whom we showed our vehicle. Children of all ages, one could say, judging by the enthusiasm with which we had been peppered with questions. It is times likes these that those of us who work with the system on a daily basis, can stand back and appreciate our efforts from the perspective of the public. Yes, people like to kick the tyres, and want to know how heavy it is, and want to take a peek inside. Since climbing inside was not allowed, made more difficult with all the measuring equipment that had been installed, it is still interesting to watch everyone's faces when they looked at the inside.
You might want to know if we like our Badger? Yes, we do. We might have some challenges still ahead, but this test is one many of us have been waiting for.

Follow Me - Travelling Day 1

Travelling in a convoy with a vehicle that is not your average sized car, can be a bit challenging. It is larger, wider and much heavier than most people believe.
As such we travel on roads that are easier to negotiate, for all the vehicles in the convoy.

We stopped in Bloemfontein to have a break and as usual drew a crowd of interested and curious fellow South Africans. I love watching their faces, especially the kids when they see our Badger for the first time.

We are not yet done with our travelling for today, so come back to see where we are staying over on route to our destination.

Follow me - Off we go!

With the long road ahead of us, we had made an early start. At this time of year the sun rises after 6am, but we needed to be on our our way before then.
So our little convoy left our workplace before dawn and now we are making our way towards the test facility.
Since I am not planning the route, I can't and am not allowed :) to tell you how we are going to get there.
If you however spot us on the way - and trust me it would be very hard to miss us - wave hello, or say come and say hi if we had stopped for a break.
The rest of the team are flying out later, but someone has to get the ball rolling!