Technology students show their Ingenuity online

An underground search and rescue robot, a lunar habitat, and an automated system for topping up wine barrels are among the more than 250 innovative future technology projects being showcased in this year’s Ingenuity 2020 expo at the University of Adelaide, online from Tuesday 27 October.

Ingenuity is an interactive expo of final-year projects by the University’s architecture, engineering, computer and mathematical sciences students which explores technology advances and solutions for our future society.

“Ingenuity 2020 demonstrates the importance of engineering and technology within our society,” says Professor Katrina Falkner, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences. “It’s an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they’ve achieved, and for us to show industry, future students and the general public the next generation of talented young people who will be our technology leaders.

“Visitors can engage with our students and hear about studying architecture and STEM at the University of Adelaide.

“Although COVID-19 has necessitated an online event this year, it’s actually opened up opportunities for our students to present their work to an even wider audience – both regionally and internationally.”

Ingenuity 2020 is organised in five themes: healthy society; future energy and resources; securing our future; transforming technologies; and our built and natural environments.

Visitors to Ingenuity 2020 will be able to explore over 250 projects; attend presentations; vote for their “perfect pitch”; undertake a coding challenge; follow the Ingenuity Discovery Trail; or hear about career opportunities and Women in STEM.

Alongside Ingenuity, about 1400 high school students are undertaking a variety of virtual but hands-on activities using kits delivered to the schools.

Examples of the projects being showcased during Ingenuity are:

• Underground search and rescue robot (Transforming Technologies): a hexapod robot that can manoeuvre on multiple terrains – inspired by grasshopper legs – and equipped with multiple sensors including CO2 and humidity sensors for detection purposes.
• A conceptual design of a lunar habitat (Built and Natural Environment): The design aims to protect from the harsh lunar environment while addressing the logistical limitations associated with transporting the structure to the lunar surface. It has been designed using structural geometry that encourages positive wellbeing for inhabitants.
• Automated wine barrel topping station (Healthy Society): Barrel topping is currently a manual process carried out on elevated platforms to replace the wine lost to evaporation during its maturation period in oak barrels. This automated system offers potential productivity, safety and quality gains.

Further information about Ingenuity 2020 is available at: www.ecms.adelaide.edu.au/ingenuity