MAE Projects

This project is designed by UCI MAE department with the goal of creating a cannon system with the ability to discern, track and shoot at RC cars. The system should be able to hit targets in a 360 degree area from a range of 5 - 15 feet, all while in a safe manner. The three step process is autonomous requiring humans only to power the system on and reload after firing. This project addresses the current inability of off the shelf cannon systems to discern the targets it is firing at, while providing a meaningful learning experience for UCI students.

Our purpose:

The UCI Solar Airplane Project is dedicated to exploring the potential of solar-powered aviation as a more sustainable alternative to conventional flight while also developing technology that can support humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts. As concerns about climate change and reliance on nonrenewable energy continue to grow, our team aims to demonstrate how renewable energy can be integrated into aerospace systems in meaningful and practical ways.

During the 2025–2026 academic year, the team focused on designing and building a solar-powered aircraft from scratch. Through research, prototyping, and subsystem development, team members worked to create an aircraft capable of extended flight through the integration of solar energy, lightweight structures, and efficient propulsion systems. This work required close collaboration across aerodynamics, fuselage, propulsion, and operations to move the project from concept toward a fully realized aircraft....

This project addresses that gap by converting an off‑the‑shelf RC boat into a functional, depth‑capable submarine using readily available components, open‑source microcontrollers, and accessible design tools. The scope includes redesigning the hull to support waterproofing, integrating a ballast system for controlled diving, and developing a multi‑Arduino control architecture capable of managing pumps, sensors, and propulsion. SolidWorks is used to model structural modifications and 3D‑printed components, while ThinkerCad provides a virtual environment for simulating electrical circuits before physical assembly.

Commercial RC submarines and underwater robotics platforms are often expensive, limiting access for students, educators, and early‑stage researchers. By demonstrating that a functional, depth‑capable submarine can be built from an affordable RC boat and readily available components, this project lowers the financial barrier to hands‑on learning in marine engineering, robotics, and control systems.

The VRTDrone team has been tasked with designing, manufacturing, and implementing a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capable of autonomous flight in urban and confined environments. This project looks to address a need for a small aerial system capable of operating safely and reliably in confined or urban environments and support sports object-tracking-related tasks with minimal burden imposed on the operator. 

Analyzing sport gameplay often requires expensive tracking systems or manually operated cameras, limiting access for amateurs. As a result, many players and coaches lack affordable tools that can help to capture and analyze their respective sports during games and practices.

This drone could make game analysis much more accessible and efficient that currently possible helping users gain deeper insight into their matches. The primary groups affected include players, coaches, and analysts at an amateur level where professional tracking systems are often unavailable.

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The increasing demand for autonomous video systems in sports analysis, broadcasting, and recreational activities has created a need for advanced platforms capable of dynamically capturing footage with minimal user input. Current camera and tracking systems are often limited in their ability to capture footage from multiple perspectives or require significant manual operation to function effectively. While drones provide a promising solution due to their ability to track fast-moving objects and capture unique aerial viewpoints, existing platforms have their own limitations. Conventional multirotor drones offer precise hovering and maneuverability but are constrained by limited flight endurance and coverage area. Conversely, fixed-wing aircraft provide greater speed, range, and efficiency but lack the ability to hover and operate effectively in confined environments.

To address these challenges, this project integrates computer vision, autonomous flight control, and hybrid VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft design to create a system capable of continuously...

The "Wheel of Deception" project, sponsored by Derek, addresses a gap in the professional entertainment market for compact, high-tech rigging hardware. Existing "off-the-shelf" rigged wheels are typically large, stationary floor units costing upwards of $10,000, making them difficult to transport and unsuitable for close-up environments like bar-top performances. The scope of this project was to engineer a portable, high-performance alternative that maintains all the functionality of a full-sized unit while fitting within a desktop footprint. This project matters because it provides a cost-effective, mobile solution for performers who require professional-grade mechanical deception in versatile, small-scale settings.

Currently, commercial air travel lacks proper accommodations for wheelchair users and presents significant financial and emotional challenges for the individual during the duration of the trip. In 2023 alone, commercial airlines reported damaging or destroying 11,527 wheelchairs and mobility scooters (Smith). Because custom wheelchairs frequently cost upwards of $30,000 (BraunAbility), many wheelchair users report their reservations with flying. Coupled with the current boarding process requiring multiple physical transfers on and off their personal wheelchair, aisle chair, and airplane seat, wheelchair users lack autonomy and dignity throughout this experience. The statistics and lived experiences of wheelchair users point to a clear conclusion: there is a critical need for better accommodations for wheelchair users during air travel.

To address the critical shortcomings in wheelchair accessible air travel, our team has engineered a specialized solution designed to ensure the continuous comfort and safety of wheelchair users throughout their flight. To...

Zot-onomous is a Senior Design Project focused on building an autonomous drone from the ground up. The goal is to design a student-built unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical takeoff, forward flight, and a controlled rapid descent for accurate payload delivery. Most delivery drones descend slowly, noisily, and predictably. Zot-onomous takes a different approach: the drone climbs to 100 feet, then dives rapidly, safely pulling out of the descent 5 feet of the ground. This makes it faster, quieter, and harder to detect than conventional designs. That capability opens doors across three real-world applications: rushing medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas, supporting military logistics stealthily, and delivering packages to neighborhoods without the noise and privacy concerns drones typically bring. At its core, this project exists to move a 0.5 to 2 kg payload safely and reliably to its target. Onboard autonomy reduces human error and keeps every delivery consistent and repeatable.

Zot-onomous is a Senior Design Project which centers on the systems engineering and design of an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The scope of the work involves creating a student-built drone capable of vertical take-off, transitioned cruise, and a rapid descent maneuver for precise payload delivery. This project addresses the critical need for a safe and operable vehicle that can transport a 2 kg payload, to target locations with minimal damage. By utilizing advanced autonomy, the design aims to reduce human error while ensuring the consistency and repeatability required for modern aerial logistics. The project is significant both as a practical solution for stable flight under moderate weather conditions and as an educational tool for the team to incorporate industry-standard systems engineering processes and documentation to a streamlined product.