Mechanical Engineering Students Build Firefighting Rescue Rovers

Mechanical Engineering students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) recently put their skills to the test in their Capstone Design Project. Their challenge was to design, build, and operate a fully functional Unmanned Firefighting Rescue Rover (UFRR).

These rovers were not just ideas on paper but real working machines. Each one was controlled remotely and built to drive over rough ground, find simulated victims, and put out fires. The rovers featured strong wheels or tracks for moving over obstacles, a water cannon that could swivel and tilt to aim at flames, and cameras to help locate fires and assist in rescue operations.

The highlight of the project unfolded at the FET foyer in June 2025. The event began with detailed inspections to verify that each design was sturdy and water-tight. After passing these checks, the rovers faced a slalom course to test their maneuverability. Finally, the main challenge put their full capabilities to the test: navigating rocky ramps across multiple levels, extinguishing fires positioned at varying heights, and locating hidden “victims” with their onboard cameras.

A panel of judges including Dr. Lim Boon Kian, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liew Kia Wai, and Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Ng Poh Kiat evaluated each team’s rover for its performance, design, creativity, and build quality. At the end of the competition, the top three teams were awarded custom-designed, 3D-printed plaques and certificates to celebrate their achievements.

More than just a contest, this project gave students valuable hands-on experience in designing and testing complex machines. It also helped them strengthen important skills like teamwork, problem-solving, project management, and creative thinking preparing them for future careers in engineering.

Congratulations to all the teams for their outstanding work!