Over the next decade, Prince Edward Island is projected to lose 1,500 construction workers, with only 500 new applicants entering the system. This thousand-worker loss puts the construction industry at a significant disadvantage. For the second year in a row, the University of Prince Edward Island has partnered with the Construction Association of Prince Edward Island (CAPEI) to come up with a potential solution. 

This particular project, the drywall lift, is in its second phase. The first phase was completed in the 2024-2025 academic year. The goal of the drywall lift design is to make a typical two-person task a one-man job while improving on the adjustability of market designs. Obviously, this does not compensate for the thousand worker loss; however, it does help. It is important to note that having this machine operable by one person allows the other person's time to be spent furthering the same or other projects. 

Currently, Dominick Beraned, Evan McLean, Payton MacCallum, and Zac Mella have prototyped and completed Phase II, which significantly differs from Phase I and actually uses a preexisting lift to showcase the design. Using a preexisting lift was much more efficient and cost-effective than building the entire tool from scratch. It also ensured portability and met the strength requirements. 

One of the main changes was the addition of a winch to raise and lower drywall sheets, replacing a crank. That way, a person can raise and lower the sheet with a remote, without having to be on the ground. Another notable change is that the top cradle part was completely made from scratch. The preexisting lift was donated to the team by their clients, so it was a priority to save it and return it in one piece if needed. Therefore, the top cradle was entirely made and welded together by team member Zac. Unlike the previous cradle, the new cradle uses actuators to make it more adjustable. The clients requested that the lift be adjustable by 6 inches in any direction, so that the drywall sheet could be repositioned without lowering it or moving the entire tool. The actuators are wired to a second remote that can be controlled by a single person. 

Phase II successfully met the client's requirements and performed exceptionally well in field testing. Having the prototype made of metal distinguished the design and allowed it to be comparable to market lifts. Ultimately, the team is extremely pleased with how it turned out and is looking forward to discussing it at the 2026 Design Expo.

The Construction Association of Prince Edward Island (CAPEI) has identified a need to reduce physical labour demands and improve worker safety during the process of raising framed wall sections on construction sites. Currently, most residential and commercial walls are assembled horizontally and lifted manually or with traditional wall jacks, a method that exposes workers to strain, awkward overhead motions, and the risk of wall collapse. As the construction industry in PEI anticipates significant labour shortages over the next decade, CAPEI seeks an automated lifting system that increases efficiency, minimizes worker injury, and operates reliably under Canadian job-site conditions. 

Research into current practices, safety standards, and existing technologies revealed several issues, as conventional jacks lack locking mechanisms, are not secured to the wall’s top plate, and require workers to support the final motion manually at 90 degrees.

Building on this research, the team developed an automated wall-raising system that uses an electric winch mounted to a reinforced baseplate, anchored to the subfloor. The design incorporates several key features, such as a powered winch with an integrated fail-safe brake to prevent backward motion or collapse in the event of power loss. An aluminium baseplate secured with structural screws to eliminate shifting during lifting. A removable top-plate bracket that provides a reliable attachment point for the winch cable. An adjustable 90-degree stop mechanism and visual indicator to ensure the wall does not exceed vertical. The device is designed to have Compatibility with 12–16 inch stud spacing.

Analysis of winch capacity, and performance confirmed that the proposed system meets the required lifting force. Job-site constraints, including Canadian temperature extremes, dust, and moisture, informed the selection of corrosion-resistant and durable components for repeated transport and handling. The system is designed so one worker can operate it from a safe distance using a wired remote, significantly reducing manual labour while improving safety and reliability

This project focused on improving the frozen waste disposal process at Cavendish Farms by designing a system to prevent plastic liners from falling into the waste hopper during dumping. The main goal was to reduce manual labour, improve operational efficiency, and maintain compatibility with existing equipment and processes. A key aspect of the design’s novelty is the use of a simple strap and ratchet system combined with a supporting cage, which offers a reliable and low-cost solution compared to more complex mechanisms. Overall, the project emphasizes a practical, industry-focused approach to solving a realworld problem. 

Dadpad is a comfort-focused startup that grew out of a real need experienced by its founders, after both suffered back injuries that made prolonged standing uncomfortable. To solve this problem, they created a padded leaning support that attaches securely over rails and provides a softer surface for spectators at rinks, stadiums, and fields. While the Dadpad improves user comfort, it does not include integrated storage for personal items like drinks and phones. As a result, users often place these items on benches, ledges, or the ground, which can create clutter, increase the risk of spills, and interrupt the viewing experience. 

The Dadpad Cup and Phone Holder project addresses this limitation by developing an add-on accessory system that connects directly to the existing Dadpad product. The goal is to provide a secure, convenient location for a cup and a mobile device, using an attachment system that is stable, easy to use, and allows the accessories to be attached and removed quickly. 

The proposed solution includes a buckle on both the cup and phone holder attachments. The receiving end of the buckle is to be placed within a circular cutout in the Dadpad foam. Both attachments can easily be inserted and removed when necessary. A strap and cam buckle sit within the interior diameter of the Dadpad foam, with the strap passing through the buckle's receiving end. This feature allows the attachments to be tightly fastened to the railing that the Dadpad sits on, preventing the Dadpad from rolling when cup and phone loads are applied. Both attachments protrude from the side of the Dadpad, freeing the top for advertisements or customizations. The prototype is depicted in the figure below

Kathryn Yule, a transradial amputee, is the community partner for this project and relies on a rollator to support her daily mobility. However, the commercially available rollators do not adequately meet her needs due to several limitations. Her current rollators are too heavy to be easily lifted into her vehicle with one hand, require complex or two-handed folding mechanisms, and rely on braking systems that cannot be operated effectively with a single hand. Additionally, existing designs often lack appropriate armrest support, leading to discomfort and reduced usability with her prosthesis. These challenges collectively limit her independence and make everyday tasks more physically demanding.

The primary goal of this project is to design and build a lightweight, ergonomic, and fully functional mobility aid that can be operated entirely with one hand. The final solution integrates principles from mechanical design, ergonomics, and assistive technology development. A key aspect of the project is its user-centered approach, ensuring that all design decisions are guided by Kathryn’s specific needs and real-world conditions.

To address these issues, the team selected an aluminum rollator as the base model and implemented modifications to address all identified limitations. The final design successfully incorporates a lightweight structure that allows Kathryn to easily lift the rollator into her vehicle with one hand, an efficient folding mechanism that can be completed quickly and fits within her car trunk, a one-handed braking system; enabled through a cable-splitting mechanism that controls both rear wheels simultaneously, and dual ergonomic armrests, designed for comfort and compatibility with her prosthesis.

Additional features include high-visibility tape to ensure Kathryn is seen in low-light conditions, a foam handle on the right side to rest her hand while walking, and some bungee cords that keep the rollator together when folded. As this is a medical device, all sharp edges were removed and cleaned to ensure the safety of the community partner and others.

Overall, the final design provides a practical solution that makes everyday mobility easier for Kathryn. By focusing on her specific needs, the team was able to create a rollator that is more comfortable, easier to use, and better suited to her daily routine. This project shows how thoughtful design changes can make a real difference in improving independence, accessibility, and reducing physical strain.

The following project is an efficient boot and glove drying solution designed for the school of Lennox Island, “John J Sark Memorial School”, to use after students go out for class outings. The main objective of this project is to be able to efficiently dry 11 pairs of boots and gloves overnight using a standard 120 V power supply. Additional requirements included minimizing energy consumption, ensuring safe operation without human supervision, mobility and maintaining safety and durability for a school environment 

Souris Regional School (SRS), located in the town of Souris and surrounded by provincial and municipal roads, is the only K-12 school in the PEI Public School Branch. The outdoor space for students is extremely limited, creating significant challenges for students and staff during recess periods. The lack of a sufficient play area often leads to scheduling difficulties, as there is not enough room for all students to use it simultaneously. There is an existing large municipal green space suitable for student use. This piece of land lies across the street from the school, posing a significant concern for students of all ages crossing the road. The current crosswalk, which consists of painted lines and flashing lights, does not adequately prevent unsafe crossings, driver noncompliance, or congestion during emergencies or busy times of day.

 This project proposes a smart, gated crosswalk system designed to significantly improve the safety of both pedestrians and drivers. The primary goal is to create a system that allows students to cross safely while preventing crossing attempts when conditions are unsafe, especially for young children. This design has evolved from research on current crosswalks worldwide, smart system factors, and human behaviour factors, combining physical infrastructure with sensor-based decision-making. Research shows that drivers respond more consistently to highly visible, active warning systems, while children require additional physical guidance when navigating roadways. By combining physical barriers with sensing technology, this design addresses both human behaviour constraints. 

The most important part of this solution is the swinging gate system. When inactive, the gates remain closed to prevent pedestrians from entering the road. When a crossing request is made via a push button or motion detection, the system evaluates traffic conditions in real time using vehicle detention and speed sensors. If it is determined that the approaching vehicles cannot safely stop, the gates remain closed. During this time, the flashing lights integrated on the top of the gates flash, creating physical identifications for driver awareness. Once it is deemed safe, the gates rotate to block traffic lanes and create a protected path for pedestrians to cross. 

The design also incorporates a pinch-point (curb extension) layout. This implementation narrows the roadway at the crossing by removing the shoulder, reducing the crossing distance and naturally encouraging vehicles to slow down. To address issues of bottlenecking during emergencies and busy periods, the crosswalk is widened. 

This design is also developed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, targeting the use of recyclable materials and aligning with roadway safety regulations. This design also ensures activation systems are usable by individuals of all ages and abilities. The inclusion of highvisibility LED lighting also ensures the crosswalk remains effective under all weather and lighting conditions, with a visibility range of at least 150 meters.

Your Sweet Spot Life (YSSL)’s goal is to create a self-sufficient ecosystem that prioritizes Canadian resources. To ease the financial burden of groceries on families and individuals, they wish to design a home hydroponic system that will sustain a family of two adults and two teenagers. 

The team proposes a hexagonal unit that features three levels. The first, a cabinet housing the water reservoir and pump, and grow bags to grow root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and carrots. The next level grows leafy greens and herbs like lettuce, kale, basil and parsley. Finally, the top level of the system is used to grow climbing plants, notably tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. 

To make the assembly as easy as possible, the bottom part of the unit uses a triangular gusset that will be installed at the top and bottom of each corner of the cabinet. The gusset and side panels will feature holes in which dowels will be inserted from the outside, go through the panels completely, and rest in the gusset. There will also be dowels connecting the top or bottom panels to the gusset. In the middle section, PVC pipes will be installed at each corner of the hexagon to support the third shelf of the unit. This top shelf will feature arches that serve as supports for the climbing plants. 

The hydroponic unit is equipped with LED lighting available in different colours to best support the plants in each growth stage and uses a cyclical irrigation system. Water is pumped from the bottom tier to the top tier, and an overflow pipe in the top tier sends water to the middle tier. Finally, the overflow pipe in the middle tier returns water to the reservoir. In the bottom tier, water is sent directly from the reservoir to the grow bags via a pipe equipped with vinyl tubing for each bag.

The purpose of this project is to enhance the entrance gate system at the UPEI Athletics and Recreation Centre by fixing the problems associated with reliability, ease of use, and efficiency. The current system may need a lot of care and does not necessarily offer a seamless and uniform user experience. Consequently, a more reliable and automated solution that would increase the security and usability is required. 

This project was aimed at designing and developing a prototype of an automated gate system that will enable a controlled entry with the use of card-based identification. The system will be configured in such a way that only authorized users are allowed to gain access to it, unauthorized access is blocked. The gate opens when valid card is scanned and automatically closes after a stipulated time. When an invalid card is presented, it maintains the gate closed and the system is secure to operate. 

The design incorporates various fields of engineering such as mechanical design of the gate structure, electrical components that are used in the control of the system and the logic or programming that can be used to control the movement of the gate and user authentication. A physical gate model, electronic components, and a programmed control system were used to build the prototype to replicate a real-world functionality. 

To test the system, testing at various conditions was done. Findings indicated that the system is quite reliable in opening to authorized users and closing to unauthorized users, which fulfills the main functional requirements. Nevertheless, some minor problems were identified including the fact that the system sometimes needed to be restarted after frequent use. The results can be useful in the future to make the system better, such as better control logic and making the system more robust. 

The simplicity and scalability of this design is one of its major benefits. The system is affordable, simple to apply, and flexible to be used in practical situations. It helps to minimize the necessity of manual monitoring, increase the efficiency of entering, and the overall user experience. Also, the design offers a good basis in making future upgrades of the system, like incorporating more effective identification techniques or making the system more durable. 

In general, this project shows a viable and viable solution to enhance access control in the facility without compromising the needs of the users and operators.