Next generation of engineers showcase their work at EnGenius

Next generation of engineers showcase their work at EnGenius

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A robotic arm controlled by facial expressions, a solar-powered Tuk Tuk set to circumnavigate the globe and 3D printed body implants – welcome to the next generation of engineering.

More than 1,000 final year engineering students showcased their projects and products at EnGenius yesterday, which brought together the best and brightest engineers together with industry leaders and the public.

Industry experts and RMIT academics judged the exhibits at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with a focus on academic excellence, innovation and potential to have genuine impact.

Executive Dean School of Engineering Professor Adrian Mouritz said RMIT was proud to produce young engineers who were creating design solutions for real-life challenges.

“EnGenius brings engineering out of the classroom and into real life,” he said.

 “Visitors to EnGenius saw how a robotic desk arm could help children with spinal cord injuries gain independence, learnt how a bike for people with special needs was designed and developed and drove a drone.”

Mouritz said RMIT was committed to preparing students for life and work.

“By embedding industry in everything we do, we’re able to create meaningful partnerships and close the gap between research and impact to help shape the world,” he said.

“There’s no better example of this than EnGenius. The event gives industry the opportunity to meet its future workforce and students the opportunity to meet employers.” 

Engineering students showcasing their work at EnGenius 2018. More than 1,000 final year engineering students will showcase their projects and products at EnGenius yesterday, which brought together the best and brightest engineers together with industry leaders and the public.

Industry 4.0 was a key event theme and highlighted the impact of digital disruption, such as the Internet of Things and augmented reality (AR), on engineering.

LEAP Australia Regional Technical Manager David Graham said the organisation was pleased that RMIT students who were exhibiting at EnGenius embraced these disruptive trends with a variety of innovative and cutting-edge projects.

“We are closely involved with RMIT EnGenius to help raise awareness of what is possible with these new technologies and to encourage more engineering graduates to develop these much-needed Industry 4.0 skills which are now demanded by our industry customers across Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

Electronics and communications engineering and computer science student Peter Kydas is one of the team behind Facegate, a robotic arm controlled by facial expressions and movements that could help children with spinal cord injuries.

“There’s technology out there where electrical stimulation can help a carer in moving a child in and out of a wheelchair. In the future, we see this electrical stimulation being able to control whole limbs. Currently, however, there still needs to be a carer controlling those motions,” he said.

“What makes Facegate different is we are trying to cut out the middle man so the child can have control and gain some independence. Imagine a robotic arm attached to a wheelchair opening doors for them.”

Students worked with social enterprise unbound on a solar tuk tuk. Showcased at EnGenius 2018. Students worked with social enterprise unbound on a solar tuk tuk, which is set to undertake a 3,000km journey from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef.

Fourth year electrical and electronic engineering student Andy Klink is part of a team working with social enterprise Unbound on a solar tuk tuk, which is set to undertake a 3,000km journey from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef. The vehicle is set to circumnavigate the globe next year.

Klink said the electric tuk tuk had been modified with solar and a wall charger.

“It highlights our passion for sustainability. The purpose of the project is to promote sustainable transport and sustainable engineering,” he said.

“It’s definitely been the most interesting thing I have worked on during my time at university and the best learning experience in a whole bunch of different ways.

“I have learnt a lot of technical engineering things as well as project management and group management.”

Environmental engineering and environmental science student Jake Collier said he had enjoyed working on the project.

“It hasn’t been working behind a computer. We have been changing the tuk tuk, co-ordinating with our industry supervisor and our academic supervisor,” he said.

“I feel it’s much closer to what I’ll be doing when I’m working compared to projects I’ve done in the past.”

GM Holden HR Director Matthew Hough said Australian graduates were helping to spearhead future global electric and self-driving cars.

“We can expect to see more change in automotive mobility the next five years than we’ve seen in the past 50. New graduate engineers will play a vital role in bringing creativity and innovation to our journey,” he said.

“We’re here to show them the exciting work we’re doing here and globally for General Motors.”

Earlier this month RMIT announced an Australia-first partnership with global tech education leader Udacity, which will bring Silicon Valley learning on Self-Driving Cars and AI Programming to Australia.

18 October 2018

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18 October 2018

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  • Sustainability
  • Student experience
  • Engineering
  • Science and technology
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