2025 i-Capstone Designs

Non-destructive testing of water mains is crucial for detecting early signs of damage, preventing costly failures, ensuring reliable water supply, and safeguarding public health and safety. RoboNav is a plug-in module for non- destructive testing of water mains. Equipped with a LiDAR sensor and stereo camera, the module utilizes a SLAM algorithm for precise localization and machine vision for automated fault detection. This solution eliminates reliance on encoders, which are prone to inaccuracies and enhances fault detection accuracy, enabling early-stage defect identification and improved infrastructure maintenance.

The Inspector Gadget project detects anomalies in hard-to-reach areas including pipelines and HVAC systems . Our autonomous robot uses an OAK-D stereo camera for 3D scans and real-time crack detection with a YOLOv7 trained model , powered by a Raspberry Pi to navigate 8-inch pipes. A PySide6 app provides real-time data visualization, including a 3D point cloud visualizer and detailed inspection reports. The mechanical design features 3D-printed PETG housing and TPU tracks . The robot aims to prevent defects from growing and causing environmental damage.

Our project aims to provide a safer and more reliable access point to drinking water for vulnerable communities in tropical regions of the world. Our solution is a simple, inexpensive, and independent system which collect, filter, and store rainwater for drinkable use. Focusing on tropical regions with heavy rainfall such as the Philippines, our goal is to remove vulnerable communities reliance on centralized systems which are oftentimes unreliable, and unsafe to use, and shift their reliance on decentralized systems which will not only relieve these communities during heavy rainfall seasons but will also enrich them with a sense of independence and self-reliance

A mobile app for wastewater transport in Iqaluit addresses the unique challenges posed by the city's extreme cold climate, which prevents the installation of traditional piping systems. This innovative solution aims to streamline the process of wastewater collection and delivery, reducing wait times for residents and optimizing fuel consumption. By improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact, the app offers a tailored approach to waste management in Iqaluit's unique Arctic environment, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

With rising tensions in our community due to the provincial legislative changes that will limit access to local harm reduction services, there is a need for innovative solutions. Our project builds on existing technologies to address opioid overdoses that occur when individuals are alone. With a user-centred design, we created a concept that integrates into existing systems and is familiar to the target population. Our low-cost, proof-of-concept device detects physiological signals of opioid-induced overdose, monitoring use and alerting users to potential risks.

Bill 223 will close safe consumption sites by March 31 , 2025 , eliminating harm reduction services and exacerbating the opioid crisis in Ontario . KWMUnity proposes a solution through a mentorship program for people who use drugs (PWUD) in Kitchener-Waterloo , providing support during high-risk periods . Mentors are trained in harm reduction , community reinforcement , motivational interviewing , and naloxone education to support mentees . KWMUnity aims to reduce community stigma , prevent opioid related deaths , and foster sustainable reintegration in society for PWUD.

As micromobility vehicles such as e-bikes grow in popularity, safety concerns regarding lithium-ion battery failure are also increasing. This project focuses on developing an external battery monitoring system to detect potential thermal runaway events in e-bike batteries on GO Trains. The system uses infrared cameras and gas sensors to detect a thermal incident and notify train crew via a mobile app . This solution aims to enhance the safety of using micromobility electric vehicles in public transportation contexts.

Public transit networks, particularly those in North America, often suffer from underutilization due to inefficiencies like lengthy wait times and poor transit integration. Our project provides an open-source software solution that leverages public data and meta-heuristic algorithms to improve existing transit networks while still maintaining operational feasibility. Networks are optimized incrementally to reduce transfers, minimize trip times, and increase coverage to underserved areas on the basis of origin-destination demand data, travel patterns, and other real-world constraints.

The City of Iqaluit faces significant challenges with its road infrastructure, such as damage, rapid wear, high maintenance costs, and dust accumulation. This report investigates alternative paving solutions, with a focus on chip-seal technology. It analyzes materials, equipment, and labor needs to recommend strategies for improving arctic roads cost-effectively. The assessment considers the short- and long-term viability, cost-benefit analysis, material durability, and economic sustainability, aiming to offer a practical approach to advancing sustainable road infrastructure in Iqaluit's unique environment.

Asphalt Avengers is an innovative pothole detection system that enhances road safety and efficiency . Municipal workers can easily attach an affordable camera module to their vehicles , allowing the system to use computer vision and machine learning to detect potholes automatically . These potholes are displayed on a web application for easy viewing , enabling more efficient road issue management . This system revolutionizes infrastructure management , reduces vehicle damage , optimizes resource allocation , and improves public safety by streamlining pothole detection and reporting.

To support Kitchener’s sustainability objectives, this project investigates the electrification of the city’s fire fleet. The study examines the operational, fiscal, and environmental impacts through fleet analysis, technology reviews, and case studies from North American pilot programs. The research aims to balance sustainability goals with operational readiness , by integrating stakeholder input and industry insights, to provide a practical framework for transitioning to a greener emergency response system.

The City of Iqaluit faces challenges keeping up with reviewing and approving proposed developments within their jurisdiction and maintaining an authoritative source for planning and development policies and bylaws. To solve this, our team proposes a user-friendly GIS-based interface that will allow planners to view and edit policies relevant to a proposed development.

While our project is being developed in partnership with the City of Iqaluit, we aim to make our tool accessible to developers, though without editing privileges. This will give developers a single updated plain-language source for Iqaluit’s development-related policies and bylaws to minimize back-and-forth between planner and developer.

Noticing shifts in market valuation and demand for sustainability, Moncton Industrial Development (MID) has business incentive to position itself as a sustainable organization. Aligning MID with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification requirements ensures competitive viability in an evolving market. Sustainable industrial real estate is increasingly valuable; to position MID within the market as a provider of ‘LEED-Ready’ sustainable industrial real estate, the company can attract a sustainability-driven client base, develop a market presence as ‘enabling sustainable development,’ and strengthen its public image as a sustainable business operation. By changing minor practices, MID capitalizes on transitioning market trends.

Diagnostic medical devices such as X-ray machines are often inaccessible in remote and Northern communities in Canada due to high costs, large size, and the need for specialized facilities and personnel. Pro-Bone-O is investigating a novel, portable bone fracture screening method using low-frequency microwaves combined with machine learning. Through simulations and real-world experiments, we aim to evaluate the accuracy of this technology and develop a prototype device capable of reliably screening for fractures, paving the way for accessible medical screening in diverse settings.

Bioimage analysis is a crucial component of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) research, used to evaluate the stemness of a cell.1, 2, 3 Researchers commonly rely on the free, open-source software ImageJ for this analysis. Although versatile, ImageJ was not designed specifically for stem cell research and requires detailed scripts as well as substantial manual processing. This makes the analysis time-consuming and tedious. To address these challenges, we propose developing a domain-specific language and implementing a machine learning algorithm to improve the efficiency of HSC image analysis.

Our wearable posture correction device helps individuals maintain proper posture and assists physiotherapists in managing posture-related issues. It features advanced spine tracking, real-time feedback via an app, and customizable goals. Designed for office workers, athletes, and rehabilitation patients, it enhances patient education and adherence to corrective practices. By enabling remote monitoring, it optimizes treatment plans and reduces in-person visits. Comfortable and easy to use, it promotes musculoskeletal health, injury prevention, and long-term posture improvement.

The project aims to address the lack of resources available to aid the visually impaired in the education setting. Despite advancements in AI and text-to-speech technologies, visually impaired students still face barriers in academics to realize their full potential. A graphical touch display that communicates through visuals, such as graphs, diagrams, or math would allow educators to better convey concepts to visually impaired students.

UW Access is a mobile web application that enables navigation of interior spaces on campus, accommodating different accessibility concerns . Users can input their accessibility requirements when finding directions , and a visual map will be provided , as well as a checklist with step-by-step directions for navigation . Users can also report issues encountered such as out of service elevators to make the navigation and information more up-to-date . Accessible design was emphasized to enable better user-friendliness.

Vroom Vroom Wheelchair is a retrofit system that transforms standard manual wheelchairs into power-assisted wheelchairs . The solution features dual motors providing propulsion and braking assistance , along with intuitive controls , while maintaining the chair ' s original functionality . Compatible with most hospital wheelchairs , this innovative design eliminates the need for expensive powered wheelchair purchases . This system makes motorized assistance accessible and affordable , enhancing mobility and independence for wheelchair users , especially in consumer settings.

Humanity’s future is increasingly tied to our ability to access space. In pursuit of the technologies that make economical space access possible, the goal of our project is to build a small-scale rocket engine powered by ethanol and liquid oxygen. The engine will feature thrust vector control, enabling engine movement during firing. This will lay groundwork for the development of a hopper vehicle that can take off and land autonomously.

HEAT is a mountable sensor network designed to help urban planners, policymakers, and public health researchers address the urban heat island effect in Canadian cities . Unlike satellite-based solutions that provide aggregate data, HEAT captures detailed time series data on real-feel heat and tree canopy presence, enabling the creation of interactive heat maps in ArcGIS to identify hot zones and contributing factors. The system is powered sustainably with solar energy, offering a practical and scalable tool to monitor and mitigate the effects of extreme urban heat.

Urban heat is a growing global challenge, exacerbating public health risks and increasing thermal discomfort. This project will look into recommendations of passive cooling solutions to mitigate heat in hotspots in Waterloo like Conestoga Mall and Waterloo Public Square. Recommended solutions include green roofing systems which use transpiration to offer insulation and cooling, and cool pavements which limit the absorption of heat and irradiation. This project aims to increase thermal comfort, environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change.

Project UW-GEMM-01 explores alternative solutions for urban air quality and greenhouse gas monitoring that are both affordable and reliable . The goal is to supplement or replace traditional methods , such as emission inventories or centralized air monitoring stations , which cannot provide localized data . By enabling more granular and accessible air quality measurements , this project aims to equip decision-makers , such as city municipalities and researchers , with more useful data , facilitating informed , data-driven policies and actions.

In collaboration with RBC, this project utilizes Generative AI to analyze building condition assessments. The aim is to help commercial property owners identify climate risks and choose cost-effective retrofits. By combining detailed building data with climate projections, it provides targeted recommendations to improve resilience against extreme weather while considering financial impacts. The goal is to guide commercial building owners toward sustainable building strategies that protect assets and contribute to broader environmental efforts.

Variety Vendings aims to tackle the public health concerns over sugary drinks by providing a cleaner and more transparent alternative. The goal of our drink mixer is to give control to the user, allowing them to substitute store bought drinks with fine control over the added amount of sugar, caffeine, and other supplements. This project also aims to reduce the amount of plastic bottles being sold, which was estimated to be 480 billion bottles in 2018 alone.

This research addresses the gap in e-cigarette waste management in the KW region, where no environmentally conscious disposal systems currently exist. E-cigarettes are hazardous items, consisting of lithium-ion batteries, metal, and plastic. While data on e-cigarette consumption and direct impacts is limited, their hazardous materials are known to cause significant environmental harm. Our solution proposes a deposit-return system with drop-off sites to ensure a proper recycling system, reducing the environmental impact of e-cigarette waste.

The SILO Project aims to integrate STEM education in primary classrooms through an interactive way to engage students . This iCapstone adapts the SILO Project for the Ontario curriculum , incorporating sustainability through a narrative approach . It is tailored to Grade 6 students learning the Life Systems unit . The project strives to foster skills for the future , including problem-solving , creativity and technical skills that can be applied to solve real-world challenges.

The Sustainability Office (SO) is the centre of sustainability efforts at the University of Waterloo. Yet a 2024 survey found that 30% of respondents were unaware of it. To address this, we held a one-day event in the Student Life Centre testing different methods of increasing engagement. We found that the main barriers preventing students from engaging with SO initiatives are lack of time and lack of awareness, and high-traffic locations and games are the most effective methods of increasing engagement.

After a natural disaster, decision makers must design recovery plans to expedite the community’s return to normalcy. However, recovery data from previous disasters are scarce, limiting decision makers’ ability to draw lessons from previous events. This project creates a framework for assessing post-disaster recovery from previous events using satellite imagery. This framework assesses housing reconstruction over time and can be used to develop a standardized database of disaster recovery data to support future decision making.

This project introduces a virtual reality (VR) app that uses realistic physics , including rigid body mechanics , to simulate how objects move during earthquakes . Users can upload their own 3D models , assign properties like weight and friction , and adjust earthquake settings such as strength and duration . The app supports collaboration across multiple VR devices and allows others to observe on a computer with voice chat . Designed to be user-friendly , it helps improve disaster preparedness , education , and teamwork in planning and design.

The FairPlay negotiation framework utilizes generative AI to promote equitable agreements through multi-agent simulations , guided by John Rawls ' " veil of ignorance . " Agents engage in iterative negotiations for drafting a prenuptial agreement , supported by fairness metrics such as balance of concessions and counterfactual fairness . The framework addresses challenges like bias , power imbalances , and cultural nuances , emphasizing transparency and ethical decision-making under John Rawls ’ philosophy . By incorporating diverse agent roles , FairPlay models real-world complexities , fostering solutions that balance individual and collective interests.

The way cities handle and process public feedback is manual, resource-intensive, and fails to leverage advancing technology, reinforcing the United Nations’ call for sustainable cities and strong institutions (SDGs 11, 16). To address these needs, Illume seeks to empower civic engagement professionals to make informed decisions with confidence. Through this web application, complex qualitative data is transformed into clarity, employing a human-in-the-loop process to ensure step-by-step traceability and trustworthy analysis for the user.

Our team has collaborated with the University of Waterloo to address the issue of duplicate student profiles in Workday , which leads to annual expenses of 50,000 dollars. The goal is to streamline the hiring process and reduce costs by preventing data duplication before it occurs. Through ongoing testing and collaboration with HR and Internet Service Team, we aim to implement an efficient solution. This approach not only improves internal processes but also holds potential for broader application to other organizations.