NOVEMBER 14, 2023 — When UTSA computer engineering student Sara Mustafa’s uncle became paralyzed during cancer treatment and could not feed himself, she witnessed how the loss of independence affected him. He served as the inspiration and namesake for the Optimized Meal Assistance Robot, also known as OMAR.
The OMAR is an assistive robotic arm that gives physically impaired individuals the ability to feed themselves without the assistance of caregivers. It features facial tracking software, customized utensils, user buttons, and a mobile application.
The technology is designed to grant independence and alleviate Caregiver Stress Syndrome (CSS), which is characterized by an increased risk of stress, depression and anxiety in people who need daily care. CSS may affect people who are disabled by limiting an individual’s ability to provide adequate care, which may lead to cases of neglect and mistreatment.
Mustafa and teammates Josie Torres, Elijah Guzman, Caleb Champion, Rafael Robles and Damario Harris are presenting their technology at UTSA’s 2023 Fall Tech Symposium. The semi-annual event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, November 17, in the H-E-B Student Union Ballrooms (HSU 1.104/106) on the university’s Main Campus.
Hosted by the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (Klesse College), the Tech Symposium offers students the opportunity to showcase their ingenuity, as teams from each of the college’s engineering disciplines present their senior design projects.
“Throughout the process leading up to the Tech Symposium, one major lesson my team and I learned is the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration,” Mustafa said. “Our team comprises individuals with diverse skills, including software, hardware and electrical engineering. Coordinating efforts across these disciplines required effective communication and a shared understanding of each team member's expertise. Furthermore, successful teams are built on open communication channels. This not only enhances efficiency but also fosters a collaborative spirit that is crucial for tackling complex projects.”
More than 300 students from every engineering major are participating in this culminating experience for their degree programs. The Tech Symposium is an excellent opportunity for students to apply their knowledge toward real-word solutions and gain a competitive edge in the job market. It is also an effective way for students from the Klesse College to strengthen their relationships with the business community.
Presentations are divided into two sections. Senior Design I enables engineering students in the first semester of their senior year to present a scientific poster exploring a practical concept related to their major.
The team will be presented their project, Optimized Meal Assistance Robot, at the Tech Symposium on Friday, November 17.
Senior Design II is for graduating engineering students in their second semester. These students advance their idea from Design I and develop a prototype.
The winners compete for cash awards. The first, second and third place Senior Design II teams receive prizes of $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. The top three Senior Design I teams each receive a $1,000 prize. Professionals with an engineering background in each major category judge the entries.
Tech Symposium winners will be announced at the end of Friday’s event.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
This academically rigorous mathematics-based summer enrichment program prepares middle and high school students for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participants learn about problem-solving systems, develop greater awareness of STEM careers and strengthen their research skills.
UTSA Main CampusArchaeology 101 will introduce campers to archaeology and build on learned skills through experimental activities (like cave painting, weaving, and garbology).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusThe camp exposes rising high school juniors, rising seniors and incoming college freshman to the many facets of the criminal justice system. Students will have opportunities to learn the functions of police in society and apply scientific theories to criminal investigations by examining a mock crime scene.
UTSA Main CampusThe Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center invites you to join us for the Summer Bridging Institute. This institute will focus on being lifelong growers and continually seeking to increase our skills as educators.
UTSA Downtown CampusArchaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusCraft a comic to create your own narrative and find your voice through storytelling. Participants will learn to create characters that are self-reflective and through a community lens.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusCome enjoy a discussion on art as a self expression in the age of moving technology and telling your story with a community.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.