Restrictions relating to Covid-19 and a nationwide lockdown have meant that students have not had access to their workshops and as such not been able to build physical devices for this year’s Regional Finals.

The Design Challenge Steering Committee planned for this eventuality and considered virtual alternatives which would offer students with the opportunity to continue to participate in a competition that not only provides educational value, but also retains engagement and the competitive element of the Challenge.

The Design Challenge app is intended to be used for Option A of the virtual Regional Finals and is available freely to all competition participants. It has been developed by the Institution’s volunteers to provide participating undergraduate teams with the ability to test their repeatable vehicle on a virtual platform prior to their Regional Final.

All details relating to the app, including step-by-step instructions can be found in the following documents which have been uploaded to the Competition Centre section of the dedicated Design Challenge website.

The download link for the app is included in the Quick Start Guide as it is key that both the Guide and the Manual are read prior to using the app:

1. IMechE Design Challenge – Virtual App (Beta) Manual 2021

2. IMechE Design Challenge – Virtual App (Beta) Quick Start Guide 2021

The Design Challenge Steering Committee have invited all 2021 competition participants to attend a Help Webinar which will be scheduled over the coming weeks to enable students to view the demo, ask questions and find out more about the app. The Help Webinars will take place on Microsoft Teams and all registered participants will receive a calendar invite for all Webinar options.

It is important to reiterate that it is the Institution’s intention to run a physical National Final and we look forward to welcoming teams back to One Birdcage Walk as soon as we are able to.