MAE

The brakes sub team aims to design a reliable and well-organized braking system for Anteater Electric Racing’s KiloZott, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and efficiency. To achieve this, the system will integrate regenerative braking to enhance energy recovery and feature configurable pedals for improved adaptability and driver preference. Whenever feasible, existing components will be incorporated to optimize cost and compatibility. A comprehensive CAD model will be developed prior to prototyping and assembly to ensure precision and minimize design iterations. This approach will result in an effective braking system that seamlessly integrates into the vehicle’s overall functionality, supporting the team's objectives in electric racing performance.

The Driver Cockpit Subsystem focuses on improving driver comfort, control, and safety in Kilozott, Anteater Electric Racing's newest car for the 2024-2025 season. The project includes the design, CAD modeling, and manufacturing of the seat, headrest, firewall, and steering system.

Testing revealed wrist strain from steering angles, inadequate lateral seat support, and inconsistent pedal resistance. To address these, the team is refining seat bolsters, steering ergonomics, and pedal feedback while ensuring seamless chassis integration.

Key improvements include a redesigned seat with extended bolsters, an optimized steering position, and an adjusted firewall for better helmet clearance. The team will finalize the prototype based on driver feedback and conduct static and dynamic testing before competition.

Our autonomous exploration rover is designed to navigate unknown environments with precision and efficiency. Equipped with a LiDAR scanner and IMU sensors, the rover creates detailed 3D maps and efficiently plans optimal paths to its destination. Using the RRT* (Rapidly-exploring Random Tree Star) algorithm, it navigates complex terrains while avoiding obstacles in real-time.

The rover’s advanced motion control system ensures smooth and accurate movement. Integrated with ROS (Robot Operating System) and built on the Waveshare JetRacer platform, the system delivers excellent performance and adaptability.

Designed for versatility, this autonomous rover has military applications with a powerful solution for exploring challenging environments safely and efficiently.

Our project aims to develop a lightweight and modular ankle exoskeleton to assist stroke patients in rehabilitation. Existing solutions are often bulky, difficult to use, and not adaptable to various shoe sizes. Our design integrates a quick-release mechanism to ensure easy, equipping and donning off, improving user experience for patients and physical therapists. The exoskeleton will provide supportive yet lightweight force assistance, enhancing mobility without adding excessive strain. The final prototype will be tested to validate comfort, force application, and user adaptability.

Goal and Objectives

1. Develop a compact, lightweight, and ergonomic exoskeleton
2. Integrate a quick-release mechanism to improve ease of use
3. Optimize force capabilities and manufacturability
4. Accommodate foot sizes from 7 to 13
5. Ensure the total weight does not exceed 300g
6. Finalize prototype testing and documentation for future manufacturing

Sponsor/Advisor

• Kaushal Patel: kaushahp@uci.edu
• Mark Walter: m.walter@uci.edu
• David Copp: dcopp@uci.edu

Background

This project focuses on the development of an autonomous drone system designed to survey an area, detect wildfires or fire outbreaks, and intervene with fire retardant to mitigate the spread of flames. The drone is equipped with sensors and cameras, to identify fire hotspots in real-time. Using color-filtering algorithms in addition to sensors, the system can accurately distinguish between fire and non-fire events, ensuring high precision in detection.

Once a fire is detected, the drone autonomously navigates to the location and deploys a fire retardant payload, such as dry agents or water-based solutions, to suppress the flames. The system is integrated with GPS and mapping technologies to optimize flight paths and ensure efficient coverage of the survey area. Additionally, the drone can transmit real-time data and alert ground station, enabling rapid response.

Goals and Objectives

Our main goal is to design an autonomous drone system that is capable of...

We are designing a mobile rocket launch system that can be transported across all U.S. highways, complying with Department of Transportation regulations in every state. The system consists of two main subsystems: the Transporter, Erector, Launcher (TEL) and the launch vehicle (rocket). The TEL includes a hydraulic erector system capable of lifting the rocket to a full 90 degrees while providing full support with a strong back. The launch vehicle can deliver a minimum 200 lb payload to a 500 km polar orbit (270 Nmi/Polar) and features a reusable first stage designed to land on any surface after launch. The rocket will use existing models of rocket engines and will be powered by liquid propellants. The launch platform will secure the rocket during the initial launch at 100% thrust utilizing a ground drilling mechanism. The entire system can be fully set up within 8 hours of arriving at the launch site. This mobile launch system can be deployed anywhere across America, which eliminates the limitations of being confined to the two current launch sites in Vandenberg, California, and Kodiak, Alaska.

About Us
The UC Irvine ZotQuatics team works towards designing and manufacturing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to compete in the annual RoboSub Competition hosted by RoboNation. Teams from around the world come together to test their AUVs through a series of underwater objectives and present their work through technical documentation. Our AUV will also have applications in environmental remediation.

Our ultimate goal for 2024-25 is to establish ZotQuatics as a permanent pillar of the UCI Engineering community. We will do this by designing and fabricating Mark I of the ZotQuatics AUV as a platform for future teams to build off on and evolve. The Mark I shall adhere to RoboSub regulations regarding functionality, performance, constraints, and design attributes we identify to meet these requirements.

Summary:

Our project focuses on enhancing the security and storage of personal electric vehicles (PEVs) on campus. With rising theft rates of electric scooters and skateboards, as evidenced by UCIPD reports, students often bring their PEVs into lecture halls, violating fire codes and causing unnecessary congestion. Existing campus infrastructure lacks a secure and convenient solution, creating frustration for students and faculty alike.

To address this issue, we propose a secure locker system called BoardBox that allows students to temporarily store their PEVs using a mobile application. These lockers will feature a sophisticated locking mechanism—a multi-surfaced, linear-sliding, servo-powered system—along with integrated charging through solar panels and mobile phone compatibility. By providing a safe storage option, our system could encourage greater use of PEVs, alleviating campus parking challenges and promoting sustainable transportation. Additionally, this project presents an opportunity for the university to enhance campus amenities while exploring potential revenue streams.

Anteater Dynamics is a mechanical engineering senior design project team working with the robotics company ROBOTIS to design a low-cost 7-degree-of-freedom robotic arm targeted for personal robotics enthusiasts, capable of collecting data to be used in machine learning. The final product should be under $1000 to fulfill ROBOTIS’ vision of easily accessible robot technology.

The purpose of the project is to create a wheel spinner that can be secretly manipulated by the user. The spinner will land on any specified section of the wheel, smoothly enough that the selection appears to be natural, and the manipulation can’t be detected by anyone unaware of the wheel’s mechanical properties.

Background

BAJA SAE is a national collegiate competition that is held every year which includes a hill climb event, endurance race and obstacle course. In the past, our team has experienced technical and driver issues, resulting in incompletion of the race. This year, the goal is to finish and place in the top 20. 

Goals and Objectives

Last years car, Scoundrel, had uneven power delivery, excess vibrations, and component failure. To combat these issues, we are replacing the rear differential with a transfer case and reducing overall weight by 30%. 
As a result of the redesigns, the powertrain driveshaft is now angled 6 degrees horizontally. The scope of this project is to test the performance of the angled driveshaft, ensuring safety, minimal vibrations, efficiency and competition regulations. Important metrics that will be tested include vibrations, temperature torque delivery and constant angular velocity. The driveshaft will initially be tested...

SwingCraft is our project in which we will research, design, and fabricate an autonomous robotic swing that demonstrates the principles of parametric resonance and conservation of angular momentum. Starting from an initial displacement, the swing will be able to autonomously increase its amplitude by effectively lengthening and shortening the length of its pendulum/swing. By correctly timing the length changes of the swing, energy can be pumped into the system resulting in an increasing amplitude. Much like how a child on a swing uses their legs to increase the amplitude of their swinging motion, our design will utilize a double pendulum to mimic this motion. Our end goal is to have successfully designed a 1:10 scale model swing that can be used as a source of entertainmentthat which demonstrates parametric resonance.  

The Adjustable Backrest Attachment is designed to improve comfort and ergonomics for users of standard lab stools. By incorporating an adjustable height range of 4”–6”, the backrest provides essential lumbar support while accommodating different users’ needs. The stool mount ensures stability and durability, featuring thigh support, a rigid base for structure, and foam padding to distribute weight evenly and reduce tailbone pressure. The clamp mechanism allows for secure attachment while maintaining easy adjustability with minimal effort. Designed with cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of manufacturing in mind, this attachment is a practical solution for improving posture and comfort in lab environments. User feedback through interviews and testing will be incorporated to refine the design and enhance usability.

Background

Standard lab stools often lack proper back support, leading to discomfort and poor posture for students and researchers during extended work sessions. Many users have expressed a need for better ergonomics, cushioning, and...

We are designing a robot to collect solid samples for small gardens and greenhouses efficiently. Typically, soil sampling is done manually, which often results in inconsistent data. These inconsistencies lead to inaccurate information, limiting farmers' ability to manage their crops effectively. Our robot will collect composite samples made of smaller soil samples using an auger drill to penetrate the ground, extract the samples, and store them in a designated sample box. Additionally, it will feature multi-terrain wheels powered by four DC motors, allowing it to navigate various terrains with ease. This automation improves accuracy, efficiency, and overall crop management.

Background:

Many communities around the world struggle with water scarcity, relying on unsafe sources that pose serious health risks. Traditional desalination methods often require large-scale infrastructure and significant energy input, making them impractical for remote or underserved regions where access to reliable electricity is limited. The purpose of the Brine Busters is to provide a sustainable, off-grid desalination system for families of 3-4 who lack access to clean drinking water and dependable power sources. Our system is designed to be portable, energy-efficient, and easy to operate, ensuring that even those in the most isolated areas can produce safe drinkable water without relying on traditional utilities.

Goals and Objectives: 

 - Reduce sodium content to safe, drinkable levels in accordance with WHO drinking water guidelines.

 - Compact and lightweight design for easy transportation and deployment in remote areas.

 - User-friendly interface with simple controls for effortless operation, even with minimal technical knowledge....

SnapVolt is a student-led project with the ambition to design, test, and prototype a low-voltage distribution box (fuse box) that is compatible across different electric vehicles. Inspired by current vehicles with fuse boxes that are unique to a particular model, our design will allow users to create different combinations of fuses and relays to match their personal vehicle. A priority of this project is to allow simple and tool free assembly and disassembly with snap in components, similar to Lego pieces. Additionally, SnapVolt aims to create a cost effective design with the intention of making the product competitive in the market.

In search and rescue operations, hazardous environments with debris and tangled wires often block access to critical areas. To address this challenge, we are developing a flexible, portable, remote-controlled claw to assist our quadruped robot, Dyno. This claw is designed to efficiently clear obstacles, ensuring a safer and more accessible path for responders and the robot.

Our solution focuses on enhancing Dyno’s capabilities in navigating and manipulating its environment, making it a versatile tool in high-risk situations. The RC claw features precise control for handling objects of varying sizes and complexities, all while maintaining portability for ease of deployment.

This innovative approach reduces the need for direct human intervention in hazardous zones, minimizing risk to personnel while improving the efficiency of search and rescue missions. By integrating this tool with Dyno, we aim to redefine robotic assistance in disaster response scenarios, prioritizing safety and adaptability in challenging environments.

Baja SAE is a national colligate competition where teams compete to build and race an off-roading race vehicle. In this project the team is tasked to design, build, and test the powertrain subsystem of the 2025 Baja SAE vehicle. The powertrain subsystem must be capable of AWD by delivering power to all 4 wheels, as well as being lightweight and robust enough to make Anteater Racing a feared competitor. The proposed powertrain design features a fully custom transfer case, outputting to a driveshaft and front differential. Designs must adhere to all rules listed in the Baja SAE rulebook, while maintaining critical safety factors to prevent failures operating in extreme off-road conditions. The vehicle must be built and tested prior to the Arizona competition in May 2025. 

ZotCart is a fully autonomous golf cart that will be roaming around Ring Road in the near future. This is achieved by designing drive, brake and steer by wire mechanisms to allow for autonomous control of the golf cart, with the ability for a human to take control in case of an emergency. Several sensors such as cameras, radars, and IMUs along with control algorithms will allow for autonomous driving around static obstacles.

As of now, there are many different ways to get around campus such as by walking, scooter, or bike. However, these all require investment whether it be in the form of money or time. ZotCart allows for multiple people to enjoy quick transport all around campus, all while allowing a comfortable ride and an opportunity to get some extra work done due to the autonomous nature of the vehicle.

We aim to have a functional vehicle roaming...

Background

The goal of UCI Solar Car is to build a solar car to compete in the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) to qualify for the American Solar Challenge (ASC). This will be our first time competing in the competition, and we plan to do so with a 3-wheel car. Our role in the brakes team is to complete the human interface components of the car which includes: parking brake, brake light switch indicator, dashboard, brake lines, and driver equipment

About ASC/FSGP

The solar car race has an emphasis on reliability and endurance over speed. The FSGP is a three day track event held annually, where qualification is determined by the number of laps. The ASC which is held every other year, is also multi-day, taking place on the public road on a route that is about 1,500-2,000 miles, which exposes the car to various driving and weather conditions.

Goal...

Background

The 2025 Baja SAE Arizona competition is an off-road automotive event in which collegiate teams compete to design, build, and test a mini ATV style vehicle. The vehicles must pass a technical inspection to make sure they are adherent to the rules and regulations set out by SAE, and are then allowed to compete in dynamic events that test the vehicle's acceleration, maneuverability, off-road capabilities, and strength. We will be designing and manufacturing a rolling chassis, which includes the frame of the vehicle along with the suspension and brakes, that is to be entered into the Baja SAE competition next year after powertrain integration. Our design will focus on having a frame that is rules compliant and having a suspension and braking system that is lightweight and handles well in order to pass technical inspection and perform strongly at the competition.

Goals and Objectives...

• Background
  • In the development of a Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) racecar, for Anteater electric racing the design of the steering and suspension systems is critical to achieving optimal vehicle performance, handling, and driver feedback. The current challenge lies in creating a steering system that provides precise control and responsive handling, while minimizing weight and maintaining structural integrity. Additionally, the suspension system must effectively absorb road irregularities, maintain tire contact with the track, and ensure stability during high-speed maneuver.
• Goals and Objectives
  • ​Determine ways to select and geometrically configure suspension and steering components within the preexisting vehicle architecture.
  • Steering System: To provide precise control and feedback to driver while ensuring quick response time and stability.
  • Shock Absorption System: To optimize tire contact with the road surface, enhancing handling, stability, and ride comfort while absorbing shocks from uneven terrain.
• Milestones
  • ​CAD model
...

The UCI RoboSub team designs an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Our AUV features autonomous localization, ultrasound detection, and a magnetically actuated appendage for the retrieval of debris off of the seabed. This project fosters innovation in underwater robotics, emphasizing autonomy, precision, and teamwork while addressing real-world maritime and environmental challenges.

Background:

Our multidisciplinary team is working to design and fabricate a semiconductor chip through the use of a cleanroom and the equipment within it. In addition to development, the team aims to create educational content on semiconductor manufacturing to share knowledge and promote understanding. By combining the expertise of multiple engineering fields, in mechanical, electrical, and computer, we are working together to understand the processes and theories behind devices smaller than a millimeter.

Goal and Objectives:

• design electrical components including resistor, capacitors, inductors and transistors with a tolerance of 25 um

•  fabricate a semiconductor chip on a wafer

• comprehensive documentation for each stage of the design and fabrication process

• comprehensive guide to using KLayout CAD software for chip design

• standard operating procedure for cleanroom environment

Team Members:

Mufan Zhang, mufanz@uci.edu

Simon Chang, simonc7@uci.edu

Raghav Gate

Kenny...

Background:

In high-risk environments, wildfires can occur quickly and without warning. There is a need to monitor these areas, but many are difficult to access and traverse, and there is a limited amount of personnel capable of repeatedly surveying these areas. Therefore, we plan to design a UAV system capable of monitoring and navigating these high-risk locales. In the case of a fire, the UAV will be able to recognize it and take mitigating action, as well as interface with other systems with the data it has received.

Mission Statement:

We plan to demonstrate a prototype drone to show the capabilities of this system. The demo will take place over a 50x50 feet area on a field with a red square, representing a fire. On the sheet, a small lit candle will be placed randomly. The drone, from a designated starting point, will be tasked to fly to the sheet,...

EV Drivetrain is a senior design project dedicated to designing subsystems within the 2025 Anteater Electric Racing vehicle, such as the accumulator (lithium-ion battery) and motor mount. The goal of this project is to construct an optimized system for the accumulator and motor mount. This is done by producing prototypes and performing FEA to ensure proper function during static and high-performance events at the FSAE competition. Failure to properly design these systems can result in disqualification or driver injury.

HPVC@UCI is a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate engineers at the University of California, Irvine competing in the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge (HPVC). Our mission is to design, build, and race a human-powered vehicle that pushes the limits of sustainability, safety, and performance. HPVC fosters real-world application of mechanical and structural design, aerodynamics, and human-centered engineering. Our team is committed to innovation, teamwork, and hands-on learning beyond the classroom. The team is split into four subteams, Statics, Dynamics, Electrical, and Operations. Currently, our goals are to improve on last year’s design by reducing weight by 25%, incorporating a suspension system onto the vehicle, and ensuring safe operation with an emergency stop should damage to the battery or motor occur.

Background:

   Keeping public areas such as parking lots clean is a pressing challenge due to their large size and frequent activity. With small items like empty soda or water bottles, it especially can be tedious, since traditional manual trash collection is labor-intensive, costly, time-consuming, and requires constant human involvement. Therefore, this project is offering an alternative solution that will streamline, and automate litter and trash collection. By utilizing advanced robotic and camera detection concepts paired with mechanical design, an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) will efficiently and independently locate, retrieve, and return empty soda cans or water bottles in public parking lots. 

Goals and Objectives: 

• A goal is to reduce the constant human involvement that is often in litter collection. 

  • Promote cleanliness in public spaces, and reduce manual labor. 

• The objective is to design and build a UGV that autonomously locates, retrieves, and returns an

...

Existing finger rehabilitation devices typically use exoskeletons to facilitate movement in disabled fingers. However, these devices are often large and costly, limiting their use to fixed locations, which restricts patients from using them in home environments. In this project, we aim to design a compact, portable robotic device specifically for home-based, thumb rehabilitation, addressing the need for a more accessible solution. This device is intended for stroke patients, helping them rehabilitate their affected thumbs through interactive exercises and simple games, enhancing mobility and engagement in their therapy.

Pulse Protectors:

Dr. Tang MicroBiomechanics Lab

Introduction:

There has been an increase in the use of pacemakers—devices used to regulate irregular heartbeats through electrical stimulation— with implantation rates from 55.3 to 72.6 per 100,000 from 2008 to 2017 [1]. Conventionally, these demands would be met with a leaded pacemaker, which is implanted within the left pectoral region with a lead running through the veins into the heart. However, recently there has been a shift in the market towards leadless pacemakers. One such device, the Medtronic Micra, is placed within the right ventricle such that the device is able to directly stimulate the heart without having the more traditional design of leads from the pacemaker to the ventricle. The wires flowing through the heart are one of the major causes of failures in pacemakers traditionally with Dr. Udo’s ~6 year follow up study citing 5.54% of the population having lead...