News and Events
- UCD UAV Team success at IMechE UAS Challenge
- UCD rises to 118 in latest QS World University Rankings
- Researchers to share discoveries at free public event in Dublin City Centre Sat 14 June
- Tánaiste announces the five teams to progress to the next phase of the Research Ireland-Defence Innovation Challenge programme
- Pilot study allowing children to identify road risks during school commute
- New funding award boosts Ireland-Wales research collaboration
- Engineers Ireland President’s Award for Professor Aoife Ahern
- LaNua Medical Receives 2025 NovaUCD Spin-out of the Year Award
- Inventors of Moveable Oral Sensor with Clinical Applications Receive 2025 NovaUCD Invention of the Year Award
- University College Dublin’s 2025 Innovation Awardees Announced by NovaUCD
- Minister Lawless announces €17.7 million research infrastructure investment
- Successful Demonstration of Hydrogen Innovation: RESR Technology Showcased on a Live Film Set
- Minister James Lawless announces over €6 million funding for final cohort of National Challenge Fund finalists
- €7 million joint investment announced for US-Ireland Research Programme
- New Double Degree in Sustainability Engineering Leadership
- Highlights of the recent College Research Culture Event
- Ten research projects funded to develop new technologies in the Defence Forces
- Minister Lawless announces €23.6 million Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future funding
- Brandon Blacoe, wins the GAConf top prize for Best assistive technology in the New or improved accessibility technology category
- Ulysses scheme funds 14 Ireland and France-based research collaborations
- CEA Strategy for Research, Innovation & Impact Launch Event
- Minister Lawless announces €2.5million for 28 Research Ireland industry-focused fellowships
- EIRSAT-1 wins UCD Research Impact Competition for transforming national space landscape
- Archives
UCD UAV Team's success at IMechE UAS Challenge

Congratulations to the UCD UAV team, comprising students from stages one to five from both SMME and SEEE, who have come away from the (opens in a new window)IMechE UAS Challenge with two trophies. They won for Business Proposition and for Airworthiness — a remarkable achievement for a new team competing against universities with aeronautical programmes and strong track records at this event. They were also highly commended in other categories, in particular their design innovations and strong focus on safety.
Speaking to IMechE staff at the event, it was clear that the team made a strong first impression. This is the first time a team from the Republic of Ireland has competed at this international event, and they are already planning for next year.
The team comprises:
- James Blackburn
- Sarah Brownlee
- Lily Anderson
- Lorcan Cranley
- Moaz Refaei
- Ray Foysal
- Kelvin Gao
- Joe Biji
- David Fitzsimons
- Robert Murphy
The UAV they built is highly innovative, and their use of custom PCBs, redundant power systems, a novel aeroflap and release mechanism for payload management, and battery-protecting crumble zones were all noted by the judges. Their business plan was outstanding.
The team also want to thank everyone who supported them throughout this process.