CECS hosts annual senior design competition

Enter Bashar Alnarraie, Sorin Mihaltan and Mohamad Ayyash. The three had an idea to combat that frustration: Create a system of vehicle-sensing modules that would wirelessly transmit information to display empty parking spaces at a hub at each entrance.

They designed the system as part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s senior design competition. The annual event encourages students to identify problems, formulate a solution and implement the results.

The three identified a problem with which they thought students on campus could relate.

“Almost every student can tell you about a time where they spend 15-20 minutes driving up and down lanes of full parking rows before heading to the structure,” Alnarraie said. “We wanted to work on a system that will assist consumers in saving time and energy.”

The vacant parking spot locator was one of 10 ideas presented to judges during the competition. Judges scored projects from all CECS departments -- computer and information science, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Final scores were based on: complexity of the original problem, originality, technical performance, impact and merit of the solution. Judges also scored team approach, quality of the submitted report and presentation.

This year’s winners were:

Department of Computer and Information Science (co-overall winner) – Authentication Utilizing NFC/RFID Technology
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (co-overall winner) – Design of a Fixture to Assemble Automobile Seats
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – CAN Integration
Department of Mechanical Engineer – Automatic CVT Bicycle

“The senior design competition supports CECS’s goal of generating engineering knowledge in the field that is relevant to our students’ needs and fields of study,” said Elsayed Orady, coordinator of the event. “It is an opportunity for our students to identify and solve problems using a team approach.”

The group members of the parking spot locator believe the experiences they gained from working together helped them develop skills for post-graduation life.

“We set deadlines, worked separately and met to integrate our systems into one complete project,” Alnarraie said.

“This will be beneficial in the workforce. It is almost unheard of to have one individual complete a project without working in some type of team.”

Reporter will feature several senior design projects throughout the summer.