The finals of the 10th Undergraduate Mechanical Innovation Competition (UMIC) were successfully held at Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) on August 22 and 23. Nearly 900 teachers and students from 123 universities competed in the second phase of the finals online with 200 projects. The opening and closing ceremonies were also witnessed by around 100,000 people via online platforms.

The opening ceremony of the finals is held on August 22. [Photo/Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing]

The 10th UMIC was launched in March 2021, attracting 5,972 projects from 30 provinces, cities and autonomous regions. The participants attended the preliminary contest and those who reached the finals needed to present their physical projects online and be assessed by judges offline. A total of 162 national first prizes, 266 second prizes and 125 third prizes were awarded. A project named “Flapping bird-like drones” made by SZTU students won the first prize.

The panel of judges assesses the projects offline while the participants present their projects online. [Photo/Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing]

On the theme of “Nature & Harmony”, the competition this year required the participants to design and manufacture bionic machinery and machinery for restoring ecology. By learning and understanding animals in nature and their laws of activity, movement, body structure and functional characteristics, students can design bionic machines for further scientific research or develop new toy products. Another design path of the competition is machinery for restoring ecology, which required students to design and develop machines to restore the ecosystem in the local community or their hometowns, such as machines to plant trees, restore vegetation, combat desertification with grass grids, irrigate the land, etc.

Huazhong University of Science and Technology will undertake the 11th UMIC. [Photo/Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing]

The next UMIC will be undertaken by Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Tips:

Undergraduate Mechanical Innovation Competition is one of the most influential competitions in the field of mechanical engineering, which is approved by the Ministry of Education. The main purpose of the biennial event is to guide higher education institutions to focus on cultivating students’ innovative design ability, comprehensive design ability and teamwork; to train students’ hands-on ability and engineering practice; and to improve students’ practical work capabilities in response to actual needs.

Drafted by Daisy（姚琦）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Revised by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office