Galway student wins national award for truck invention

A student from NUI Galway has scooped a top award for an invention which reduces wind drag on articulated trucks and cut their fuel costs by up to €5,000 per year.

The Conacht Sentinenal reports that Justin Conboy from Salthill won €10,000 in cash and another €20,000 towards consultancy work, patents and marketing for the product through his new business.

If he secures seed funding for the venture, Drag Reduction Systems Ireland, the product could be on the market in 12 months – local company Iggy Madden Transport has already agreed to help with trials.

His team, DRS.ie, was selected from 360 entrants to win Enterprise Ireland’s Best Entrepreneur in the ‘Think Outside the Box’ Awards in Dublin.