Designing Change: Students Apply Engineering Skills to Real Issues
Each June, Carleton Engineering and Design students cross the convocation stage with degrees in hand, ready to step out into the world to tackle various challenges —and create viable solutions.
Just weeks earlier, they showcased their final Capstone and Studio Design projects, confronting real-world issues like rising housing costs, increasing energy efforts and aiding the overburdened public healthcare system.
As the first university in Canada to adopt team-based Capstone projects, Carleton’s Faculty of Engineering and Design has spent over 25 years empowering students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and address real community needs.
These projects are more than just a final assignment—they’re proof of what students can achieve when they apply their knowledge to meaningful and practical challenges.
A Glimpse Into the 2024-2025 Team Projects
As convocation approaches, take a look back with us at some of this year’s bold, industry-shaping engineering capstone projects by graduating Engineering students. We’ll also be spotlighting our Design students’ Projects that highlights the creativity and innovation at the heart of these solutions—coming soon.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Design of a High-Rise Building, developed by David Boswell, Justine Strokan, Hamza Marefi and Matt Devasenapathi, responds directly to the growing demand for high-density, mixed-use developments in Canadian urban centres. Set in Ottawa’s Little Italy at 299 Carling, the proposed 25-storey structure is strategically located in a zone already approved for high-rise construction and offers excellent transit accessibility—making it a practical solution to address the city’s housing needs.
Using reinforced concrete for its balanced performance across cost, sustainability, and resilience, the design emphasizes structural integrity, efficiency, and affordability. Commercial spaces allow local businesses to thrive and integrates the beautiful rooftop terraces and green spaces to enhance livability and create a community-focused urban environment.
The project will be presented at the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) National Capstone Competition in June.
Department of Electronics
Charging Ahead: Solar-Powered Wireless Charging for Electric Scooters
As the demand for clean, efficient transportation continues to rise, a team of Carleton Engineering students has developed a sustainable solution designed to make urban mobility even greener. A solar-powered wireless battery charging system for electric scooters demonstrates how renewable, sustainable energy and smart design can work hand-in-hand to provide a plug-free solution to urban mobility.
When an electric scooter is parked over the charging base, the system wirelessly transfers energy through inductive charging coils, eliminating the need for physical plugs or complex docking stations. This approach supports low-maintenance infrastructure and encourages broader public adoption of non-automotive transportation options:
From reducing reliance on grid-tied charging to enabling more accessible, green transportation options, the team’s innovation represents the next step in Carleton’s legacy of environmentally conscious engineering.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Autonomous Spacecraft Robotics (DOT) is an innovative Capstone project from Carleton University’s Faculty of Engineering and Design that explores autonomous docking and fluid transfer between satellites. The mission: demonstrate a fully autonomous docking maneuver with a spinning, uncooperative target—simulating real-world satellite servicing challenges.
Developed by a multidisciplinary team, DOT integrates cutting-edge work in computer vision, guidance and control (GNC), mechanical systems, and spacecraft integration. Using LiDAR sensors, machine learning, and predictive control algorithms, the system identifies, tracks, and safely docks with its target—entirely autonomously!
DOT supports the future of space operations by advancing sustainable satellite servicing, reducing space debris, and pushing the boundaries of robotic autonomy in orbit.
Systems and Computer Engineering
PillVision: AI-Powered Mobile Application for Pill Recognition and Counting
PillPix is an innovative mobile application developed by Yehan De Silva, Pathum Danthanarayana and Michael Kyrollos, to support mature adults in managing their daily medication routines. Using computer vision and machine learning, the app helps users accurately identify and track their medications—reducing the risk of errors, missed doses, and adverse drug interactions.
Inspired by real challenges in healthcare settings, PillPix is designed to be intuitive, accessible, and supportive for individuals navigating complex medication schedules. By improving adherence and reducing medication-related complications, the app also contributes to easing the burden on the Canadian healthcare system.
Developed by a team of software engineering students passionate about making a difference, PillPix represents a meaningful step toward empowering patients and supporting preventive care through smart technology.