The challenge tasks apprentices with designing and building a prototype device that automates a common product or process.
The final which took place on 26 September at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry saw the teams delivered formal presentations of their product documentation, alongside a demonstration of their prototype devices, for evaluation and scoring by the judging panel.
Leonardo’s ‘Seven Seeds’ team featuring 1st Year and 2nd Yearapprentices, Jorja Uys, Dominic Gent, Woody Taylor, James Newsam, Jaiman Boyd and Jack Lane from our Luton site earned the coveted Peer Review award, voted for by their fellow teams at the finals. Their Plant Buddy product is a self-watering plant pot with light, humidity and moisture sensors to detect conditions in the environment. This data is then interpreted and presented on an E-Ink display to enable users to monitor their plant and ensure it is thriving.
The ‘Elevation Nation’ team from Niftylift were crowned overall champions, while Thales’s ‘Mech Me Up Before You Go Go’ team secured the Highly Commended award.
Leonardo Business Degree Apprentice, Jorja Uys, who was Team Leader of Seven Seeds, said: “The challenge final was amazing with lots of great teams showcasing their innovative products. From an automatic stirrer to an automated bin composter, the competition was rife! We were extremely grateful to win the peer review award after being judged by the other teams who all presented great inventions.”
Mechanical Engineer, Runjie Wei, who mentored Seven Seeds, said: “Massive congratulations to the team for winning the peer review award! This is a fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition of their hard work that went into developing such an outstanding product. It has been a privilege to mentor and support them throughout this journey.”