During the spring semester, students from two undergraduate programmes, Product Design and Manufacture (PDM) and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), hand-in-hand completed a project themed Smart Robot. The initiative aims to explore the synergy between design and engineering through the collaboration and equip students with future-facing skills.
The project simulated real-world engineering workflows, enabling students to navigate the complete journey from concept to product. In the project, PDM students focused on the exterior and structural design of the robots—addressing aspects such as product form, ergonomic analysis, and manufacturing feasibility. Their task was to strike a balance between visual impact and practical production requirements, particularly those related to 3D printing and physical assembly. Meanwhile, EEE students were responsible for the core electronic systems, covering circuit design, Arduino programming, sensor configuration, and drive system calibration. Their goal was to ensure accurate path recognition and autonomous movement capabilities.
From project inception to final presentation, teams experienced a full-cycle product development process. Effective communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration were essential throughout. It offered students a complex, authentic platform to experience interdisciplinary cooperation, preparing students for the teamwork required in modern engineering and design careers.
In the exhibition, some designs captured people’s attention with radical exterior designs while rigorously adhering to the functional requirements. “Beyond visual appeal, a key highlight was the emphasis on Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) excellence, with many teams successfully applying principles such as draft angles, snap-fit joints, and material efficiency, proving their understanding of real-world manufacturing constraints,” Amarpreet Gill, the project supervisor added.
Each project was accompanied by a video and technical description. This year, the project introduced online voting system and received over 70,000 views and 18,000 votes, suggesting a highly engaging exhibition.
Published on 08 May 2025