U.S. Space Force: Shaping the Future of Global Access Corridors to Space
Humanity is on the verge of moving from occasional launches to continuous, high-cadence access to space. To make this future real, we need smarter tools to figure out where and how to build the infrastructure that supports it. This project is about mapping the critical attributes, datasets, and connections that define tomorrow’s access corridors to orbit and beyond. Working with partner teams, we’re building the foundation for a digital mapping tool that will guide decisions on the next generation of space access — scalable, global, and ready for the future.
SkinLumina
SkinLumina addresses a major challenge in dermatology: many current skin imaging tools are designed and tested on a limited range of skin types, which can make it harder to identify conditions such as bruising, scarring, discoloration, or melanoma across the full spectrum of people’s skin. Our project creates a portable skin imaging device that shines different colors of light on the skin to highlight both surface details and deeper layers. By first capturing a personalized baseline scan and then comparing it with a second scan, SkinLumina provides clearer, more accurate, and more inclusive results. The device is intended for use by dermatologists, medical researchers, and primary care providers as a supportive tool in skin analysis and early detection. Unlike many existing systems, it is designed to be low-cost, portable, and adaptable, making it more accessible and practical in real-world settings. Potential applications include improving dermatological care in clinics, advancing research on skin health, and expanding access to imaging in community healthcare. In the future, SkinLumina could also help strengthen AI-based diagnostic tools by contributing more diverse, high-quality imaging data to improve accuracy and inclusivity.
Laser Harp Without Mechanical Strings
The Laser Harp that we are constructing is frameless; using a toggling laser diode and a stepper motor with a mirror mount, individuals strings will be produced. If the strings are interrupted, a photodiode will detect and, produce a voltage that will be measured and a musical note will be played. We seek to make an instrument that is portable and easy to use. This will hopeful cheaper that other laser harps. Our laser Harp could be used by musicians, and performers, or be use as a for STEM outreach (classrooms, museums, maker fairs).
Sandia National Laboratories: Development of a Design Review Process
This project aims to produce a new design review process for the National Solar Thermal Testing Facility of Sandia National Laboratories. The current design review and systems engineering process in place is very basic and incomplete, thus creating a need for a system to ensure consistency and traceability, enable scalable review, and integrate tools like MBSE effectively while also meeting ISO 9001 standards. Utilizing design thinking and systems engineering, this new design review process helps create a standardized method of project management to help facilitate the transition from ideas to drawings to builds. In return, scraps and reworks are minimized, timelines are shortened, and team collaboration is enhanced. Due to its scalability, this process can be applied to many different industries including but not limited to manufacturing, production, facility development, and data analytics.
Pinball Machine
The project is meant for the users' personal entertainment. The project provides entertainment by being a game, of which the objective is to score points by hitting a steel ball with flippers in skillful ways. The target audience are people who enjoy games, especially pinball fans. It works by shooting the ball into various electromechanical devices that interact with the ball and/or the score. It is different than available pinball machines with its layout, combination of in-game events, and by being suitable for tabletop play.
CHANOS: Controlled Hydration Automated Nutrient Optimization System
Many people love having plants but struggle to keep them alive because of busy schedules, travel, or forgetfulness. Often, this leads to plants being overwatered or neglected. Our project, C.H.A.N.O.S. (Controlled Hydration Automated Nutrient Optimization System), solves this problem by automatically monitoring and watering plants using solar power, sensors, and smart controls. The system tracks soil moisture, light levels, and water supply, then delivers just the right amount of water through a precision pump. Users can monitor and adjust plant settings through a simple web dashboard, even remotely. C.H.A.N.O.S. is designed for homeowners, students, office workers, or anyone who wants healthy plants without the stress of daily upkeep. Unlike most low-cost systems that rely only on timers, C.H.A.N.O.S. responds to real plant conditions, making it both smarter and more efficient. It is also self-sustaining, running entirely on solar-charged batteries. Possible applications include home gardening, classrooms, urban apartments, or even small-scale community gardens. Its selling points are sustainability, low cost, modular design, and potential smart home integration. In short, it delivers reliable plant care with minimal effort, helping people enjoy plants while saving time and resources.
Smart Integrated Guidance Haptic Technology (SIGHT) A Wearable Smart Device for the Visually Impaired
Navigating daily life independently can present considerable challenges for people who are visually impaired. Traditional white canes provide tactile feedback. While the white cane can be helpful and is a standard tool for navigation, it limits the user to only sense what is in front of them. This can lead to accidents with changes in the ground or dangerous conditions like busy streets. In a rapidly increasing world with advanced technologies, we have an opportunity to rethink and improve this important mobility device through wearable innovations. The goal of the Smart Integrated Guidance & Haptic Technology (S.I.G.H.T.) is to move beyond the limitations of the traditional white cane by introducing a smart device designed for enhanced safety, navigation, and user independence. The S.I.G.H.T. offers a wearable solution that has essential features like obstacle detection, vibration and audio haptic feedback, a rechargeable battery, making it suitable for everyday use and to help guide visually impaired users as they walk.
PARCEL: Payload Autonomous Robot for Coordination, Expedition, and Logistics
Our project addresses the challenge of inefficient and sometimes unsafe material transport within warehouses and similar environments. Moving items manually can lead to delays, human error, and potential injuries, especially when handling repetitive or heavy loads. The solution is an autonomous robot designed to transport payloads safely and efficiently. The robot detects when a package is placed on it, identifies the item through RFID technology, and uses sensors to navigate its surroundings while avoiding obstacles. It continuously plans its path, adjusting in real time if conditions change using SLAM. A companion mobile application allows users to monitor the robot and issue commands without requiring technical expertise. By reducing the need for repetitive manual transport, the robot improves efficiency, lowers labor strain, and enhances workplace safety. Its scalability and ease of use further support integration into diverse environments, offering a flexible and practical solution for modern material handling.
U.S. Space Force: Logistics Blueprint for Humanity’s Next Frontier
The future is not just about reaching space, it is about making space a place where humanity can conduct commerce. To do that, we need more than rockets. We need the invisible systems that make everything flow: the warehouses, the supply chains, the people, and the rhythms that turn launches from rare events into everyday occurrences. This project is about building that foundation. We’re creating a logistics framework that reimagines how payloads move — from warehouse to launch pad — with speed, safety, and simplicity. It measures what matters: throughput in TEUs per day, processing, and seamless 24/7 operations. The deliverables are clear: a blueprint, a living simulation model, and a supply chain analysis that together form a universal guide for space operations. Similarly to the great innovations that reshaped industries on Earth, this framework is more than a tool — it’s a design for the future. One that ensures access to space isn’t just possible, but inevitable.
U.S. Space Force: BOOST - Booster Operations and Optimal Siting Tool for Spaceport Landing Pads
Launching and landing reusable rocket boosters is expensive, complex, and not yet optimized for frequent flights. Current research doesn’t fully explain what makes a landing site safe, cost-effective, and fast to reset. Our project tackles this problem by studying how to design and operate booster landing pads so rockets can be turned around quickly and reliably. The project looks at existing rockets like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship, focusing on both ground pad and drone ship landings. We are identifying the most important factors that affect landing pad performance, including cost, location, infrastructure, weather, safety, and regulations. Using decision-making tools and computer simulations, we will test different scenarios to see which pad designs and operating practices work best. This work is needed by space agencies, commercial launch providers, and defense organizations who all want faster, safer, and more affordable access to space. Our approach is different because it combines real-world data with structured decision methods and digital simulations, giving a clearer picture than traditional case-by-case studies. Applications include future spaceport development, higher launch cadence operations, and improved reuse of boosters—helping make spaceflight more sustainable and cost-efficient.
Pathify Groups Integration: The Future of Student Connection
UCF is introducing Pathify, a new student engagement portal replacing the current “myucf”, but one of its most powerful features, Groups, has not yet been integrated. Groups would allow students, faculty, and staff to connect around academics, campus life, and resources in one place by having the possibility to chat, create events and more. But without a clear governance process the rollout could create confusion, duplication, or underuse. Our project designs the framework and roadmap that UCF needs to successfully integrate Groups into the new Portal. We focus on the rules, policies, and decision-making process that will guide how Groups are created, managed, and sustained over time. We are working with UCF’s IT Project Management Office, Pathify (the vendor), and campus stakeholders to make sure the solution fits UCF’s culture and long-term goals. The result will be a tested and validated governance model and a two-year roadmap UCF can immediately use to launch Groups confidently and effectively.
Pothole Detection, Geospatial Tracking and Size Measurement
Our project seeks to assist local governments in the detection and tracking of potholes by providing a cheap and easily accessible road scanner. The system is designed to attach to any vehicle using a shock-resistant mount. Power for the device is drawn from the car's battery. Detections are made by monitoring an infrared laser line for interruptions that are measured to detect and calculate a change in depth. This system is unique in that it also integrates a computer vision algorithm to confirm detections as potholes and capture images for manual confirmation. Upon detection, the collected data is sent to the operator's phone via Bluetooth, the phone then marks the location data, storing it alongside the size calculation and AI detection image. This information is uploaded to a cloud database that can be accessed using our custom mobile application. While our device makes use of the vehicle’s battery, similar existing devices require a separate power source, requiring additional maintenance and training for government employees. A similar previous senior design project is limited to a very small portion of the road; our design improves upon theirs by scanning a majority of the lane behind the vehicle.
ParaPedal: A Practical Product for Paraplegic Piano Players
Many piano players who use wheelchairs cannot operate the piano pedals with their feet. These pedals are essential for creating the full range of sounds on the piano, but current solutions are rare, hard to access, or not designed for everyday use. This prevents disabled players from enjoying and performing music at their full potential. The ParaPedal is an assistive device that lets people with disabilities press piano pedals using their mouth instead of their legs. It translates tongue pressure on a mouthpiece into signals that wirelessly control motors, which then push the piano pedals in real time. This gives players the same expressive control as if they were using their feet. The people who need this most are pianists with limited or no leg mobility, such as paraplegic players, but it can also benefit music schools and therapy centers. Unlike existing solutions that are bulky or limited to just one pedal, ParaPedal is portable, wireless, customizable, and supports all three piano pedals. Each player can calibrate it to their own comfort, and it requires no permanent changes to the piano. Possible applications include personal practice at home, live concerts, music therapy, and even classrooms where accessibility is important. Other selling points include its affordability, safety, and ease of setup, making it practical for both beginners and intermediate players.
GreenSync
GreenSync: Smart Gardening Made Easy. Taking care of plants sounds simple, but in reality it can be tricky. People often forget to water on time, don’t have enough sunlight indoors, or just aren’t sure how to keep their plants healthy. GreenSync is our solution to this everyday problem. GreenSync is a smart gardening system that automatically takes care of a plant’s basic needs. It has sensors that check the soil’s moisture and the light in the room. If the plant is too dry, GreenSync turns on a small water pump. If it’s too dark, it switches on a grow light. This way, the plant gets what it needs at the right time instead of relying on guesswork or fixed schedules. What makes GreenSync special is how connected it is. Our mobile app lets users check live video of their plant, see sensor readings, and even use AI tools that can recognize the plant and give personalized care tips. This is great for busy people, beginners, or anyone who just wants to enjoy healthier plants with less effort. GreenSync goes beyond just watering and lighting, it’s about giving people confidence and making plant care simple, fun, and reliable.
STEPS: Style Tracking Expressive Pad System
The core of the STEPS project is a custom dance rhythm video game and arcade cabinet that is that utilizes 9 panels while also using computer vision to track the players pose. Think Dance Dance Revolution or Pump It Up, but with a twist: the game rewards not just hitting the right steps, but also how stylishly you play. Unlike existing rhythm games that only use four arrows, STEPS expands the challenge with nine panels, encouraging more expressive movement and full-body engagement. At the same time, a built-in camera and pose tracking system recognize the player’s gestures, making upper-body performance part of the score. The way it works is by using Force Sensitive Resistors(FSRs) under the pads to detect pressure for step inputs, and a computer vision model that will give the game information of what pose the player is doing at a given time. The model we will be using is MediaPipe Blazepose and we will be feeding this data from a specialized lens that comes from the arcade cabinet. Beyond fun, STEPS has applications in fitness, therapy, and education by promoting movement, coordination, and creativity. By combining music, dance, and technology, STEPS makes rhythm gaming more immersive, inclusive, and expressive than ever before.
ROAM: Robot Observer of Abandoned Materials
R.O.A.M. (Robot Observer of Abandoned Materials) is an autonomous robot that detects and reports discarded and salvageable items near residential sidewalks. The identified items are then uploaded to a website for people in the area to view. Objects are categorized into the two groups using a trained object classification model. The salvageable items, known as treasures, include items such as couches, chairs, or bookshelves. The classification and reporting aims to keep salvageable items out of landfills and to connect them with people who may find good use for them.
Laser-Scope: The Affordable Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope for Surface Topography
Our group is designing and manufacturing a fully open source scanning laser microscope with a cost <$1000. Commercially available microscopes of this type can cost greater than $3500 on the low end, which might impede research groups with lower funding. It functions by moving a sample across a beam of light, based off of the reflections from the sample the height can be calculated and mapped to 2D image. In comparison to commercially available microscopes of this type, it has almost all the same functionality with a cheaper cost, however, commercially available microscopes can process the image in real time, whereas this system will take at least 5 minutes. The possible applications of this microscope will be for research groups to have access to micron level imaging without spending thousands of dollars. In addition to the open source aspect of the project, all operational components will be 3D printed, for ease of use and increased customization.
Rationalization of Applications within the Student Digital Experience at UCF
At UCF, students, faculty, and staff use many different software systems. Because these systems are scattered and do not work well together, people run into issues like duplicated information, wasted time, and higher costs. Students also miss out on useful resources because they are hard to find and or not connected. The main problems come from overlapping tools, outdated systems, and weak integration. If nothing changes, this will continue to frustrate users, waste resources, and make it harder for UCF to provide a smooth and accessible digital experience. This is our goal.
SmartStride
Our project is to modernize an electric wheelchair into a self driving system. The idea is that it can map its surroundings and use object detection to allow for A to B driving. The use case is for automated hospital patient transportation, so a patient can be moved remotely or autonomously. Especially for smaller short-staffed teams.
Radio Diversity Interface
Wireless communication is often unreliable because a single radio signal can weaken or drop out due to interference, distance, or obstacles. This makes it difficult to maintain stable connections when reliability is crucial, such as in testing environments, research labs, or even everyday wireless applications. Our project develops a low-cost radio diversity system that can connect to a transmitter in multiple ways and automatically adapt for optimal reception. By setting up several broadcast signals and multiple antennas/receivers, the system compares them in real time and chooses the strongest or most reliable path. Our project is distinguished by its low cost, interactivity, and flexibility. By implementing a touch screen GUI and a few different diversity modes, our device opens the possibilities of radio diversity applications. From lab research in RF and communications to Prototyping for IoT or wireless devices where signal reliability matters most, our project is an affordable option for signal processing and reliability.