SMYRNA, Tenn. — At one point, it appeared that two robotic-driven mail delivery systems were on a collision course: the best and strongest wins.

They were stationed across from each other April 27 at the Nissan Training Center in Smyrna when one of MTSU’s mechatronics engineering teams decided to guide their mail delivery system toward the other team’s senior project, stopping a few feet away.

Robots, robotics, a solar cellphone charger, and all sorts of gadgets were on display at the MTSU Engineering Technology Poster and Project Presentation.

The event was an end-of-academic-year event for the department’s students and faculty, showcasing their hands-on work in front of industry folks. Some of the industry representatives served as judges.

“Mailbot: The Automotive Mailbox” was the project for mechatronics engineering seniors Daniel Morgan, Bryan York, Sarah Gunger and Maryam Sedhom.

“We put a lot of work into it,” Morgan said. “It pushed all of us outside our comfort level.”

Gunger said the “Mailbot” was a battery-powered, remote control project “for people with disabilities and the elderly.”

Judge Jeff Buck, kneeling left, of Automation Nth, listens as MTSU senior Daniel Morgan, right, answers Buck’s question about the “Mailbot” April 27 during the Department of Engineering Technology Poster and Project Presentation at the Nissan Training Center in Smyrna, Tenn. Other mechatronics engineering team members include, from left, Bryan York, Maryam Sedhom and Sarah Gunger. (MTSU photos by Randy Weiler)

“You can shove it or kick it. We welded everything together,” she said of the design’s and materials’ sturdiness.

“This is here to last for sure. It can handle everyday issues and 8 to 9 mph wind.”

Four teams, including the “Mailbot” team, received $1,000 each from student lab fees for new equipment and parts. All were asked to stay within budget.

“We exceeded it by $200 or $300,” Gunger said. Any expenses beyond $1,000 were considered out of pocket for the students.

Sedhom called it “a great experience, and challenging.”

The other mail delivery system was designed and built by seniors Mohammad Aldujaila, Joe Beck, Ayman Yaseem and Praseudsack Phoxay.

A solar drinking-water filter and coffee-cup fetcher were among the other projects.

The Department of Engineering Technology is one of 11 College of Basic and Applied Sciences departments. To learn more, visit www.mtsu.edu/programs/engineering and www.mtsu.edu/programs/mechatronics.

For more information about the event and engineering technology, call 615-898-2776.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

Juan Valenzuela checks his calculations on his senior engineering technology project April 27 during the department’s poster and project presentation.