A pug wearing a smart collar drew attention at the Shalala Student Center as engineering students explained how the device could monitor the canine’s health data in real time. Nearby, a group of seniors demonstrated an automated device designed to relieve plantar fasciitis. Across the room, another team demonstrated a continuous 3D printing system, with parts moving through an automated loop that replaced manual sanding and postprocessing.
These are just some of the projects showcased at the University of Miami College of Engineering’s 2026 Senior Design Expo. Now in its 10th year, the event brought together 41 student teams which spent the past semester turning abstract ideas into working prototypes and tackling challenges in health care, construction, technology, and more.
Top honors
Among the standout projects was HUGS (Humanitarian Utility Guided System), a rocket-based delivery system designed to transport lifesaving supplies to inaccessible locations at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour. The Aerospace Engineering team tested a prototype earlier this year, validating its dual-deployment recovery system and laying the groundwork for future payload launches. The project earned the expo’s top distinction: Best Overall Senior Design Project.
Health-focused innovation was a major theme at this year’s expo. The Biomedical Engineering team behind Detect Epilepsy developed a wearable device aimed at identifying biomarkers in a user’s breath to predict epileptic seizures, potentially up to an hour in advance. Their work earned the Outstanding Biomedical Engineering Project Award, recognizing both technical rigor and clinical promise.
Students from the Innovation, Technology, and Design program created Real Rehab, a sensor-equipped knee brace designed to improve patient compliance with at-home physical therapy. The product provides real-time feedback and remote analytics for clinicians, addressing a persistent challenge in rehabilitation care.
Other notable projects included SnapSense, the Mechanical Engineering Award winner, a wearable workload‑monitoring device developed to help prevent overuse injuries in long snappers; a Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering project that produced a stormwater master plan created in partnership with the Village of Palmetto Bay, aimed at reducing flooding and strengthening local infrastructure; and the Industrial and Systems Engineering winner, Facilities and Logistics Operations Workflow, which partnered with a South Florida logistics company to redesign warehouse operations, increasing package throughput by 13% without adding labor or implementation costs.
Resilient systems and spaces
Several projects focused on improving access and resilience, particularly in environments where infrastructure is limited.
TerraLink, winner of Best Electrical and Computer Engineering Project, introduced a dual-layer communication relay system capable of extending connectivity miles beyond traditional Wi-Fi. Designed for use in rural areas, disaster response, and search-and-rescue efforts, the system addresses a growing demand for decentralized communication networks at an affordable price point.
Another project, Seven Pillars, earned multiple honors, including Best Civil and Architectural Engineering Project and the People’s Choice Award. The student team partnered with Publix to reimagine a mixed-use development anchored by the supermarket, designing everything from civil site work and structural systems to mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure. The result was an integrated plan that shows the complexity of urban redevelopment.
Industry partners, including FP&L and Ryder, played a critical role throughout the year, providing real-world data and feedback that shaped final projects.
The Florida Power & Light–sponsored project by industrial engineering students received the Industry Impact Award for creating a data‑driven model that predicts vegetation growth along power lines, supporting more efficient maintenance planning and reducing the risk of service disruptions.
Faculty advisors also guided teams through design reviews and technical issues, reinforcing the collaborative nature of capstone projects at the College of Engineering.
As seniors prepare to graduate, the expo marked a final milestone, translating years of coursework and experimentation into skills they will soon apply as practicing engineers.
