Dezeen School Shows: a vending machine distributing fresh, hot chapatis in corporate canteens in India is among the projects from the University of Nottingham.
Also featured is a wearable open-water monitoring system and an automated vinyl playback system for uninterrupted music playback.
University of Nottingham
Institution: Faculty of Engineering
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture, BEng Product Design and Manufacture, Product Design and Manufacture with an Industrial Year (BEng/MEng) and Product Design and Manufacture with Study Abroad (BEng/MEng)
Tutors: Alec Machin, Christopher Bradnum, Dan Garner, Emma Eilbeck, Neil White, Peter Rothe, Richard Tew, Simon Harrison and Simon Lawes
School statement:
"The Product Design and Manufacture programmes at the University of Nottingham have been specifically designed to provide a unique blend of engineering, manufacturing and design knowledge.
"This means that graduates have skills and knowledge that are highly sought after by the industry. Many go on to lead design teams with University of Nottingham ranked 1st for graduates entering highly skilled jobs for six years running (HESA Graduate Outcomes publications 2021-2026).
"To prepare graduates for a career in industrial design, modern workflows and technologies are used in all areas including digital sketching, high-end rapid-prototyping and 3D-printing facilities, and a sector leading virtual reality teaching lab.
"Product design and manufacture programmes are taught and delivered by experienced designers, all of whom have industrial experience. Students also benefit from the knowledge of design consultants who are currently working in industry, through weekly design studio sessions where feedback is given on project work.
"Project-based learning forms a core element of the curriculum. Student projects take a realistic and industry-focused approach to design, using the knowledge gained of manufacturing and engineering principles.
"Students develop products and components that are appropriate for mass manufacture and consider both sustainability and commercial factors."
Infanti by Zainab Almoosawi
"Keeping baby bottles hygienically clean takes precious family time that working parents rarely have to spare.
"Infanti is a compact smart appliance designed to solve this. A single automated cycle washes, sterilises and dries baby bottles, with an integrated safety lock securing the lid until the process is complete.
"A precision pump governs dosing and pressure throughout, while drying relies on an integrated zeolite cartridge — a mineral that naturally absorbs moisture and releases heat, removing the need for a high-power heating element.
"Infanti was developed through close study of parents' daily routines and gaps in the current market."
Student: Zainab Almoosawi
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machine
Email: zainab.k.almoosawi[at]gmail.com
Devio by Rohan Brazel-Wood
"The food delivery profession is often undervalued, forcing workers to use sub-par equipment. This culminates in process inefficiencies, leading to wasted time and therefore earnings.
"Devio is an electric delivery moped designed to enhance the rider experience. The vehicle has two heated storage compartments, a removable bag for typical orders and a section for oversized items. These are located toward the front giving easy access.
"A phone-free interface is featured, allowing users to accept and reject orders via a button on the handlebars when they are received on the onboard display. The vehicle is available in rental and rent-to-buy models."
Student: Rohan Brazel-Wood
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Email: rohan.brazelwood[at]gmail.com
Satelite: Surgical Lighting Concept by Emma Eatough
"Current surgical lighting often requires frequent manual adjustment, which can interrupt workflow, reduce efficiency and create ergonomic challenges for surgical staff.
"Satelite is an intelligent surgical lighting system that combines automated positioning with manual adjustability, using eye tracking technology. The project focuses on improving usability, adaptability and surgeon interaction during procedures.
"The system responds to sustained surgeon gaze direction to reposition the surgical light automatically, helping maintain optimal illumination of the operating area without the need for physical interaction."
Student: Emma Eatough
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Email: emmadeatough[at]gmail.com
Apex Bench by Ryan Hopkins
"The Apex Bench represents a new generation of intelligent gym equipment, designed to enhance performance and user experience.
"Equipped with integrated encoders, it tracks key metrics including resistance and lifting tempo, providing real-time feedback to optimise technique and progression.
"Featuring six training modes, a library of preloaded exercises and programmable resistance of up to 130 kilograms, the bench is powered by three brushless DC motors that deliver smooth, responsive resistance while transitioning seamlessly from a flat position to a 55 degree incline in just six seconds.
"Designed for the future, the Apex Bench reflects the continued evolution of smart fitness technology."
Student: Ryan Hopkins
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with Industrial Year
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machin
Email: ryanhopkins8103[at]gmail.com
Orbitl by Edward Jennings
"Vinyl is experiencing its strongest resurgence in decades, yet meaningful automation remains limited.
"No current product combines automation, visible mechanisms, uninterrupted album playback and the full user experience to make vinyl worth choosing over the convenience of streaming.
"Orbitl is an automated vinyl playback system that preserves the enjoyment of listening while removing the friction. Users place up to five records into a swing-out carousel, keeping the customisation and tactility, before enjoying hours of uninterrupted playback.
"Designed for premium homes, bars and retail spaces, Orbitl reimagines the vinyl journey, transforming it into an immersive centrepiece experience."
Student: Edward Jennings
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with Industrial year
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machin
Email: me[at]edwardjennings.co.uk
CapsuOne by Andrew Khadouri
"CapsuOne redefines supplementation through a customisable, modular capsule creation system. Using bulk powdered supplements rather than pre-made pills delivers long-term savings while allowing users to blend up to four ingredients into a single capsule, simplifying daily routines.
"The intuitive user interface simplifies operation and offers preset combinations tailored to specific health needs, such as immune support.
"The system features an innovative three-dimensional carousel mechanism that seamlessly opens and fills capsules in an automated workflow.
"Its modular circular plates process 10 capsules per cycle, fed by six refillable powder storage cartridges."
Student: Andrew Khadouri
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Dan Garner and Alec Machin
Email: andrewkhadouri[at]gmail.com
Somo by Tal Konyn
"Stop-motion empowers young amateurs to explore filmmaking without the need for life-size sets, a large crew and CGI.
"However, of 121 animations, 82 per cent used unstable cameras and only 28 per cent used larger camera movements that would be considered professional.
"Moreover, 42 empirical studies show the potential benefits of utilising stop-motion in education to boost understanding of core academic subjects.
"Somo is a collapsible jib able to perform advanced camera movements. It has been designed to be used amongst four students in a classroom setting, each working together to storyboard the animation, calculate the number of frames, arrange the set and operate the camera.
"Conversely, in a home setting, the independent amateur champions all aspects of the animation to produce an innovative and dynamic animation."
Student: Tal Konyn
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with Industrial Year
Tutors: Alec Machin and Dan Garner
Email: konyntal[at]gmail.com
Fin by Sebastiano Pratico
"Water pollution is a growing concern in the UK, while the information available to users is often delayed, seasonal or lacks site-specific relevance.
"My project is Fin, a portable open-water monitoring system designed for recreational open-water users. Fin combines a central sensing buoy with up to eight wearable haptic alert pods, supporting groups who share the activity area.
"The buoy autonomously monitors proxy water-quality readings, detects sudden changes and sends status updates to the wearable, allowing users to continue their activity while receiving visual and haptic alerts."
Student: Sebastiano Pratico
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Email: seb.pratico[at]gmail.com
C-PEM 001 by William Pugsley
"C-PEM 001 is a compact personal electric mobility device designed for short urban journeys of one to five kilometres.
"It responds to the limitations of both privately owned and shared micromobility by operating through a long-term lease scheme, giving users reliable access while reducing burdens such as maintenance, repair, charging and security.
"Designed around the full mobility experience, the seated device extends to create a stable riding position, then folds into a compact form for storage, docking and short carrying transitions.
"C-PEM combines personal convenience, service support and compact engineering to offer a more accessible approach to everyday urban travel."
Student: William Pugsley
Course: MEng Product Design and Manufacture
Tutors: Simon Harrison and Richard Tew
Soi by Nidhi Bhatt
"Chapatis are India's everyday staple, with over 3.3 billion consumed daily. Unlike bread, they become stale within hours, leaving working professionals with dry and brittle homemade chapatis by lunchtime.
"Soi (सोय) is a chapati vending machine designed for India's corporate canteens, delivering fresh, hot chapatis from scratch, on demand, 24/7.
"Users simply tap to order through an intuitive touchscreen, customise their order, pay and collect their freshly kneaded, pressed and puffed chapatis in under a minute via colour-coded slots.
"Built with food-grade materials, patented technologies, NFC-controlled access and IoT monitoring, Soi prioritises hygiene, reliability, transparency and efficient maintenance, bringing modern automation to one of India's oldest everyday foods."
Student: Nidhi Bhatt
Course: BEng Product Design and Manufacture with an Industrial Year
Tutors: Alec Machin and Dan Garner
Email: work.nidhi.bhatt[at]gmail.com
Partnership content
This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of Nottingham. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.