Engineering is a field that helps, enhances, and innovates our daily lives in various ways. From building structures to developing technologies, engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility. Innovation and creativity are essential in the field of engineering, and many engineering competitions reveal the future of technology. Here are the top 10 most exciting engineering competitions to watch.
The Solar Decathlon event is designed to bring together various colleges and universities to design and build houses powered by solar energy. The competition takes place in Denver, Colorado, and the houses are judged according to their market appeal, energy efficiency, design excellence, engineering, and innovation. This contest challenges competitors to build ecological and sustainable homes for the future.
The SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition is an annual event organized by Elon Musk's space company, SpaceX. The competition challenges engineering teams from around the world to design and build the fastest transport pod for the Hyperloop, the 700+ mph high-speed train concept. The contest is exciting since it showcases innovative technology and inspires an interest in the potential future of transportation.
Formula SAE or Formula Student is an annual engineering competition for college students worldwide to create a formula-style race car. Participants design, build, and drive their cars in a race circuit to compete against each other. Competitors are judged on different categories such as cost, business, and design presentations, as well as dynamic events, such as acceleration, skidpad, and endurance. This competition allows students to learn and practice their problem-solving skills, engineering principles, and auto racing competitiveness.
The EcoCAR Challenge is an annual competition that involves the designing and building of an eco-friendly car. College students enter this contest to convert conventional gasoline-powered cars into hybrid and electric cars. The goal of the contest is to create the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle possible, while still maintaining consumer appeal, quality, and performance.
The RoboCup is an annual competition for teams worldwide to compete with advanced robots in various competitions, from soccer to rescuing scenarios. The robots compete in their respective leagues, such as simulation, small size, middle size, and humanoid. The contest's primary purpose is to assist in developing robots and artificial intelligence technologies. It inspires research and commercial development of robots and autonomous systems.
The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual contest designed for high school students to learn and apply engineering and programming skills. Competitors form teams to build and design robots that participate in various challenges. The competition aims to foster creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills among its participants.
The DARPA Robotics Challenge is a competition designed to develop robots that can safely and effectively work in hazardous environments. Teams from around the world compete with their humanoids robots in challenges such as navigating around obstacles, climbing up stairs, and opening doors. The competition aims to improve robotic technologies for search and rescue, disaster response, and industrial tasks.
The Red Bull Flugtag is a unique competition where competitors design and build their flying machines, which are launched off a 22-foot-high ramp into a body of water. The competition is entertaining and challenging since it requires creative engineering designs that account for weight, wind resistance, and stability. The competition has had participants from around the world, all attempting to set the furthest flight distance.
The Shell Eco-marathon is a global competition, where universities and high schools worldwide design and build ultra-energy-efficient vehicles. The vehicles are tested for their energy consumption efficiency on various tracks types. The competition judges the vehicles based on their speed, fuel efficiency, and design. It aims to promote the development and advancement of more fuel-efficient vehicles to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and climate change.
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition is an international competition for students interested in synthetic biology. The competition encourages the design, construction, and assembly of biological systems and operating modules. Contestants compete to develop solutions to different problems, such as energy production, sustainable agriculture, or biomanufacturing. This contest poses an opportunity and platform for students to solve real-world problems using biology, engineering, and computing.
An engineering competition is a contest designed to challenge individuals or teams to design, build, and test innovative engineering solutions that can impact society positively.
The primary purpose of engineering competitions is to improve the technical skillsets and creativity of individuals and groups interested in science and technology fields. It also provides a platform for students and professionals to showcase their technology, learn, network, and push boundaries.
Engineering competitions are usually open to college and high school students, individual inventors, startups, or professionals. The eligibility criteria vary from one competition to another.
Participating in an engineering competition can boost one’s creativity, problem-solving, team collaboration, and leadership skills. It can be a chance to showcase one’s abilities, increase the chances of industry scouting, or winning prize money.
The qualifications required to enter an engineering competition vary based on the competition. Some competitions require participants to be enrolled in a particular program, while others are open to anyone who develops a project that meets the competition’s criteria.
The most important skills required to participate in an engineering competition are usually creativity, problem-solving, good teamwork, and time management.
Due to Covid-19, some engineering competitions have shifted online, such as the iGEM competition. Some events are hybrid, offering online participation as an alternative, accompanied by virtual events and seminars
Engineering competitions always encourage innovation, creativity, and teamwork. These contests allow individuals and teams to put their expertise to the test and push past the boundaries of technological capabilities. The top 10 engineering competitions listed here showcase the potential for engineering innovation, inventions for the future, and the benefiting impact on society. Who knows, as a viewer you might just get inspired and seek to be a participant next year!
