The ASME Student Design Competition provides a platform for ASME Student Members to present their solutions to a range of design problems-– from everyday household tasks to groundbreaking space exploration. Each team is required to design, construct and operate a prototype meeting the requirements of an annually determined problem statement.
The Student Design Competition showcases the extraordinary talents of mechanical engineering students while encouraging them to develop innovative ideas towards an improved quality of life for all. Each year, several teams of up to four students compete at Student Professional Development Conferences in districts worldwide. Winners then proceed to finals at the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE). Cash prizes and awards are presented to winners at both district and final competitions.
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2013 Student Design Competition: Remote Inspection Device
After the tragedy at the Fukushima nuclear facility following the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the nuclear industry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to design and build a small, remotely-controlled inspection vehicle. The purpose of the vehicle is to determine the level of radioactivity at specified locations and inspect for damage. This vehicle will protect the human operator from absorbing a high dose of radioactive contamination. There is information that could be gained by the inspection vehicle that could inform the plant operators so that they may avert an accident or begin repairs.
Your task is to design a remotely-controlled, proof-of-concept vehicle for inspection purposes. The vehicle must be able to negotiate around obstacles, both in getting to the inspection points and in bringing the sensor back to the designated return area. The vehicle must then return to its starting location, ready for another run.
2013 Problem Statement
Post a 2013 Competition Question
2013 Student Design Competition Q&A