Business Details
26 Years
experience
Your Trusted Engineering Design Team in Chicago
Founded in September 2000, the Chicago Engineering Design TM has established itself as a premier student-led organization at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Our team excels in college-level engineering competitions requiring expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. With over 100 active members across three core teams, we specialize in hands-on learning through NASA System Engineering, SUAS-based autonomous drones, and combat robotics. Our mission extends beyond competition, focusing on fostering inclusive STEM education opportunities for students from all backgrounds, particularly those in lower-income areas.Through 12 annual events and 20+ years of continuous operation, we've developed championship-winning technologies including autonomous lunar excavation robots and advanced combat robotics systems. Our alumni network demonstrates deep industry experience through leadership roles in major engineering projects. We maintain rigorous safety protocols and industry-standard practices across all operations while advancing engineering education through practical application. Our team's technical expertise spans CAD design, materials science, autonomous navigation systems, and advanced electronics integration.
Services
Combat Robotics
Autonomous Drones
Lunar Excavation Robots
STEM Education Programs
Engineering Competitions
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of competitive engineering experience
- Our team includes 100+ multidisciplinary engineering students
- We specialize in autonomous systems and combat robotics
- Our members have won 12 championship titles
- We provide STEM education opportunities for underserved communities
Services
Combat Robotics
Designing championship-level combat robots with advanced weapon systems and safety protocols. Our team develops horizontal spinner weapons, titanium-plated armor, and compact beetleweight designs that have won multiple national awards. We emphasize technical excellence and sportsmanship in competitive robotics.
Autonomous Drones
Developing autonomous aerial systems for SUAS competitions using rapid prototyping and modular frame designs. Our drones feature advanced avionics, payload delivery systems, and computer vision capabilities. We focus on improving autonomous navigation and collision avoidance technologies through continuous software development.
Lunar Excavation Robots
Engineering autonomous lunar excavation robots for NASA competitions. Our systems use ROS navigation, CANbus systems, and computer vision to handle lunar regolith. We've won multiple awards for innovation in autonomous construction and excavation technologies for space applications.
STEM Education Programs
Creating educational opportunities for lower-income students through hands-on engineering projects. Our programs focus on practical application of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering principles while preparing students for STEM careers through mentorship and competition experience.
Engineering Competitions
Participating in 12 annual engineering competitions requiring multidisciplinary expertise. Our teams compete in categories ranging from combat robotics to autonomous systems, consistently winning awards for design excellence, technical innovation, and operational reliability across multiple national events.
People
Ninai Kamdar
President
Leading the Chicago Engineering Design TM as President, overseeing strategic direction and organizational leadership while ensuring alignment with educational and competitive goals.
Aakash Bajaj
Vice President
Managing day-to-day operations and competition strategy as Vice President, with technical expertise in control systems and autonomous robotics development.
George Ciuca
Secretary
Handling documentation and project management as Secretary, applying mechanical engineering skills to support the team's technical and administrative needs.
Nathan Morabito
Treasurer
Managing financial operations as Treasurer, ensuring proper resource allocation for the team's engineering projects and competition participation.
Alex Chen
Team Captain
Leading the RoboBrawl team as Captain, directing development of championship-winning combat robots with innovative weapon systems and advanced materials.
Questions
How can students join the Chicago Engineering Design Team?
Students can join through our official university channels or by contacting us directly. We welcome all engineering disciplines and experience levels.
What engineering competitions does the team participate in?
We compete in 12 annual events including RoboBrawl, Lunabotics, and SUAS competitions with focus areas in combat robotics, autonomous systems, and space robotics.
What STEM outreach programs do you offer?
We provide mentorship and hands-on engineering projects for lower-income students, focusing on practical application of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering principles.
What technologies do you work with?
Our teams use SolidWorks, ROS, ArduPilot, OpenCV, and custom electronics while developing advanced robotics systems for various competition requirements.
How is the team organized?
We have three core teams focusing on combat robotics, autonomous drones, and lunar excavation robots, with multiple subteams handling specialized technical aspects.
