Our competitive teams recruit new members at the beginning of each academic year. Each team has their own recruitment form, with information on application procedures and deadlines. Some teams leave applications open year-round, so make sure to check the forms associated with the teams that you’re interested in.
Competitive teams
Students on our competitive teams design and build prototypes, such as rockets, robots and race cars, to represent the University of Ottawa at competitions across North America.
Joining a team
Why join an engineering competitive team?
Joining a team is a great way to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and connect with other students and industry partners.
Who can join?
Most members are engineering students, but students from all faculties are welcome. Some teams also mentor high school co-op students.
How to join
Teams usually recruit at the beginning of the academic year, although some accept applications year-round. See the team profiles below for more information and links to their application forms.
Time commitment
Most active members contribute about three-to-ten hours per week, depending on their role and the time of year. Competitions generally take place between January and August and last two-to-four days.
Our teams
uORocketry
Design, build and launch an experimental sounding rocket to more than 30,000 ft! Gain experience in aerodynamic analysis, avionic systems, rocket engines, ignition mechanisms, parachute concepts, and so much more.
Kelpie Robotics (MATE ROV)
Dive deeper by designing and developing an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to compete in marine challenges that simulate real-world conditions. Build the frame, manipulators, electronics and software needed to complete tasks involving object manipulation, autonomous movement and image recognition. Showcase your entrepreneurial skills by pitching the ROV to a panel of industry professionals on the international scale.
Formula SAE
Design, develop and build a single-seat race car from the ground up. Formula SAE challenges the team to strike the ideal balance between design, performance, build quality and cost. Together, student-led ideas become a real, track-ready car that represents the University of Ottawa on the national stage.
uOSupermileage
Design, build and test a highly energy-efficient, single-person electric vehicle. Through hands-on work in mechanical design, electrical systems, programming and manufacturing, students gain practical experience in electric vehicle technology. The team competes in the Battery-Electric Urban Concept category of the Shell Eco-Marathon, in which universities and schools from across the Americas participate.
Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (GNCTR)
Design, build and race a five-person toboggan equipped with concrete running surfaces down a snow-covered ski hill. By participating in the GNCTR, Canada’s oldest and largest student engineering competition, you’ll get hands-on experience in concrete mix design, composite components manufacturing, materials testing, fabrication and mechanical systems design that you can’t get in a classroom. No experience needed, just curiosity!
BAJA SAE (Rough Riders Racing)
Design and build an off-road vehicle that will survive and operate in rough terrain, including trenches, jumps, hills, incline turns and water obstacles. Learn to solve technical challenges in design, testing and manufacturing and compete at SAE-sanctioned competitions.
uORover
uORover is dedicated to providing an enriching learning environment and fostering growth through leadership and hands-on experience. We do this by designing and building a rover suitable for operation in a simulated Mars environment. Each year, we participate in the Canadian International Rover Challenge (CIRC) in Drumheller, Alberta. There, our rover is tested in missions that tackle our drive, autonomous navigation, robotic arm and life detection systems.
uOBionics
Design and develop an exoskeleton arm to enhance arm mobility across three degrees of freedom by incorporating precise joint mechanisms, sensor-driven motor control, and a companion mobile application to support patients with partial paralysis, enabling improved motor functionality and independence.
Aeronautics
Joining our SAE Design team means becoming part of a community of passionate problem solvers, builders and innovators. We compete at SAE Aero Design, designing aircraft to complete specific payload-based missions. No prior experience needed, just a willingness to learn and push for success.
John McEntyre Team Space
The John McEntyre Team Space (JMTS) is a collaborative space that provides precompetitive teams involved in large-scale projects with the space and infrastructure required to push technological and mechanical boundaries, promote the development of skills and expertise and strive for success.