Let’s Prototype participates in the FIU Showcase.

Once again, Florida International University (FIU) invites the representation of Let’s Prototype in Miami to its annual Showcase.

It is an event where graduates in mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering form multidisciplinary teams to address challenges proposed by various local companies. These companies partially fund the research process to encourage students to develop innovative products that are useful to the industry. 

Facing challenges and proposing Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) with a certain level of functionality is a major challenge for newly graduated engineers. It requires them to demonstrate their skills and capabilities in a short period of time, as well as their creativity in proposing innovative solutions with immediate impact on the local industry.

Most innovative projects are funded by the university itself and by companies in need of these solutions. It is a great initiative to connect the reality of academic theory with the most pressing needs of the industry.

Trends in Inventions Presented at the FIU Showcase 2025

These are the 7 most prominent trends at the FIU Showcase.

Rapid Prototyping of Metal Parts at the FIU Showcase

Although metal 3D printing is a widely accessible reality among prototype manufacturing companies in Miami, the students have worked hard to develop an alternative that aims to be faster, although less precise than the aforementioned technology. It consists of a type of robot capable of quickly fabricating metal parts that do not require a high level of precision.

The manufacturing method for these metal parts is based on a controlled cycle of welds that gradually shape the geometries programmed into the robot itself. Although the results are still far from those offered by metal 3D printers, this line of research could yield promising results in the short term.

Industrial Process Automation – FIU Showcase

Several innovative projects were presented, with an impact on supply chains and item selection within factories. Using sensors and cutting-edge mechanisms, MVPs were showcased with the ability to identify, analyze, and distribute objects through various logistical channels. These solutions are expected to impact the local agricultural industry in the short term, as several companies are providing financial support and technical knowledge to help students successfully develop their challenges.

Machines for Evaluating and Customizing Water Properties

In the cement industry, water control and the customization of its hardness are critical, depending on the different applications of the final product. Using household filtering solutions, reverse osmosis, and water remineralization methods, FIU students have been able to build a first prototype capable of adjusting its operation based on the surrounding water, customizing its properties, and adapting them to the specific needs of the industry at any given time.

Toxic Gas Detection Sensors

In order to maximize safety for professionals in various environments such as oil wells, mines, and firefighter emergency situations, it is essential to monitor conditions that could pose a risk to personnel. With this in mind, FIU engineering students have developed an MVP equipped with sensors and enough autonomy to become a portable wearable for professionals. The device is capable of detecting various toxic gases and indicating the toxicity levels of the environment. In addition to identifying hazardous conditions, the device can emit local alerts and also communicate through an IoT communication system, allowing the situation to be monitored from any location with internet access.

Customer Service Software with AI Solutions

Natural language AI applications are increasingly impacting integrated software products that can provide customer service and follow-up more efficiently. Software development students at FIU have focused on developing intuitive interfaces capable of integrating with sales logic across various industries commonly found in the Miami business ecosystem.

Sensors for Diagnosing Motor Deficits in Patients

Improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients’ biomechanical issues is a priority in the development of biomedical products with integrated electronics. For fine motor skill rehabilitation, several motorized glove solutions were presented at the FIU Showcase 2025 as support tools for fine motor therapy. These types of projects receive strong support from the university and from the innovation departments of various health-focused product development labs.

Firefighting Drones

FIU students have proposed a set of smart sensors for early fire detection, along with techniques to address these situations, which pose significant risks to crop development in the United States. These are minimum viable products with a certain level of functionality, although they are still in an early development stage.

It is a great honor for our product development and prototype manufacturing team in Miami to receive an invitation from Florida International University to share our vision and experience with teams of emerging engineers who have demonstrated remarkable skill and creativity in the development of their Minimum Viable Products.

 

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