Engineering projects that could be the next big thing will be on display at the annual Capstone Design Symposia taking place in March.
Formerly known as fourth-year design projects, Capstone Design is the culmination of the Waterloo Engineering student experience. During their senior year, students, generally working in teams of four, conceptualize and design a project related to their chosen discipline.
From March 12 to 23, approximately 700 students in 12 programs will showcase more than 150 projects. Open to the public and media, each symposium also attracts industry partners.
Project highlights this year include:
- System for the blind to navigate a touch screen using a smartphone and a wearable device
- Recycled tire product designed to absorb and contain oil from oil spills in an environmentally responsible way
- Erasable printer ink that allows paper to be reused
- Digitized pathology image system that increases the accuracy of medical diagnostics
- Pedestrian safety device to alert you if a bicycle is coming up from behind
- Emergency drone recovery system that sends out a parachute if a drone is about to crash
- Wireless smartphone charging table
- Speech therapeutic aid that provides real-time feedback to patients and remote-monitoring for the therapist
- Virtual reality simulator that allows children and injured athletes to practise soccer without the risk of concussion
- Decision support tool designed to optimize hospital operating room hours
- Robotic arm that accurately tracks a user’s movement in 3D space
On March 27, 15 qualifying teams will compete for $60,000 in a pitch presentation funded by the Esch Foundation.
Capstone projects can, and do, lead to commercialization. Intellijoint Surgical is just one example of a Capstone Design project that has gone on to become the new standard in 3D measurement for hip replacement technology.
Come and explore all the projects.
Symposia dates and times:
Monday, March 12
Chemical Engineering – Full Project List
9 am to 12 noon in Engineering 6
Wednesday, March 14
Software Engineering – Full Project List
9 am to 5 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Friday, March 16
Management Engineering – Full Project List
9 am to 3 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Nanotechnology Engineering – Full Project List
9 am to 4:30 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Monday, March 19
Systems Design Engineering – Full Project List
1 to 5 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Wednesday, March 21
Electrical and Computer Engineering – Full Project List
9:30 am to 4 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Thursday, March 22
Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering – Full Project List
12 noon to 5 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Mechanical Engineering – Full Project List
1 to 5 pm in Engineering 5’s Sedra Student Design Centre
Friday, March 23
Mechatronics Engineering – Full Project List
1 to 5 pm in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre
Tuesday, March 27
Norman Esch Capstone Design Awards
1:30 pm in Engineering 5’s Sedra Student Design Centre
