The next big innovation to hit the marketplace could be among the Waterloo student projects on display at the annual Capstone Design symposia beginning March 16.
Senior-year engineering students at Waterloo will exhibit projects ranging from a technology that reduces agricultural water waste through intelligent irrigation systems to a device that may help people with Parkinson`s disease avoid falls.
Capstone Design is a degree requirement for undergraduate engineering students at Waterloo. During the symposia from March 16 through 24, at least 700 students in 12 programs will present more than 150 projects.
Capstone Design challenges fourth-year students to conceptualize and design solutions to real-world problems,” said Wayne Parker, acting dean of engineering. "As in previous years, we anticipate that some of these innovative projects will lead to successful startups and the commercialization of new products and services.”
GM Canada has joined the Capstone Design program as its exclusive automotive partner. The company’s five-year sponsorship will help expose students to automotive-based project ideas and GM Canada innovations.
On March 30, 15 qualifying teams will compete for $60,000 in a pitch presentation funded by the Esch Foundation. The winner of the Sedra People's Choice Award will receive an additional $3,000 in funding.
Additional project highlights this year include:
•
Dynamic
bifocals
that
adjust
lenses
to
the
user’s
distance
or
reading
prescription
•
Sweat-absorbing
undergarments
designed
for
professionals
•
Technology
design
for
producing,
storing
and
recovering
energy
for
household
use
•
Wearable
hands-free
camera
that
tracks
the
target
•
Revolutionary
suitcase
that
generates
power
as
you
travel
•
System
that
collects
and
manages
data
on
indoor
air
quality
•
Self-learning
tutoring
system
for
piano
•
Nano-electronic
sensor
that
quickly
detects
toxic
gases
•
Android
game
to
teach
financial
skills
to
people
with
literacy
challenges
in
Tanzania
•
Design
of
an
on-campus
brewery
to
be
used
as
an
educational
centre
•
New
flying-wing
roller
coaster
concept
for
theme
parks
•
Formula
car
chassis
that
is
a
hybrid
steel-tube
and
carbon-fibre
structure,
making
it
both
strong
and
lightweight
Complete
list
of
projects
Symposia
dates
and
times:
Management
Engineering
Wednesday,
March
16
|
9
a.m.
to
3
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Nanotechnology
Engineering
Wednesday,
March
16
|
9
a.m.
to
6
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Software
Engineering
Wednesday,
March
16
|
9
a.m.
to
5
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Mechatronics
Engineering
Friday,
March
18
|
1
to
5
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Chemical
Engineering
Monday,
March
21
|
9
a.m.
to
12
noon
|
Engineering
6
Mechanical
Engineering
Monday,
March
21
|
1
to
5
p.m.
|
Sedra
Student
Design
Centre,
Engineering
5
Civil,
Environmental
and
Geological
Engineering
Tuesday,
March
22
|
12:30
to
4:30
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Systems
Design
Engineering
Tuesday,
March
22
|
12:30
to
4:30
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Electrical
and
Computer
Engineering
Thursday,
March
24
|
10
a.m.
to
5
p.m.
|
Great
Hall,
Davis
Centre
Norman
Esch
Capstone
Design
Awards
Wednesday,
March
30
|
2
p.m.
|
Sedra
Student
Design
Centre,
Engineering
5