Design Challenge 2025 Team Registration

The Design Challenge gives teams of 2-6 students from universities or university technical colleges (UTCs).

The 2025 project brief is to design, build and test a device to simulate an autonomous robotic charging device such as autonomous electric charging connectors for impaired users or industrial vehicles with hot swap battery charging capability, with automatic connection and disconnection.

The competing device should be capable of doing a repeatable task in straight line, on a track laid horizontally. The device can be of any construction and propulsion method, limited only by cost, and size, within the specification detailed in this document and the associated “IMechE Design Challenge - General Specification 2025”. The device can be based on any moving technology with contact with the horizontal surface, such as wheeled, walking, sliding, jumping, rolling.

The device must be totally self-contained and the method of starting it must be attached to, and travel with, the device at all times. Points will be awarded for the accuracy of the device returning to the starting point, the time duration of engagement with the charging connection simulator target and the accuracy of engaging with the charging plug simulated target.

The Challenge enables participants to gain real-industry experience, practical employability skills and enhanced business and people skills, all within a set time frame. It is intended to complement the academic curriculum and is used by participants towards their projects.

Team registration is now open!

Register your team here