Engineering Entrepreneurs Win Spot in International Competition : University of Dayton, Ohio

Friday July 13, 2018

Engineering Entrepreneurs Win Spot in International Competition

By Kelly Mofield, School of Engineering

A recent University of Dayton engineering graduate and his partner took second place and won a spot in the China-U. S. Maker Competition in Beijing next month.

University of Dayton mechanical engineering technology alumni, (pictured l-r), Gonzalo Perez, and his partner, Bernard Dalichau, a UD business entrepreneurship alum and founder of Lavender Home Care Solutions, received a prize of 80,000 Chinese yuan (about $12,000 USD) and free travel to Beijing to compete Aug. 13-17. Their Code E Drone is designed to fly into national disasters or other emergency situations inaccessible to first responders.

The pair overcame logistical challenges when their flight to the regional competition in Suzhou was delayed, and they were unable to take their drone. Upon arrival in China the pair immediately headed to Home Depot to buy materials for a mock prototype.

“Somehow, our silly mock prototype was enough to win second place,” Perez said. “We are now preparing to go to Beijing for the finals.”

More than 60 teams are expected to compete in the final round for the chance to win the $15,000 grand prize, $8,000 second place award or $4,500 third prize. The international contest challenges participants to come up with innovative ideas that will make the world more sustainable, efficient and interconnected. The competition is supported in part by Google and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

Perez’s work on the drone was supported by the School of Engineering’s Leonardo Enterprises initiative as a pilot project last year. He was mentored by Dean Eddy Rojas and Assistant Dean Michelle Strunks and received funding to build his first drone prototype.

The School is in the process of formalizing the structure of Leonardo Enterprises so that current students and alumni can request funding and mentoring to advance entrepreneurial engineering ideas into real-world businesses.

Gonzalo Perez, University of Dayton mechanical engineering technology alum, with Code E Drone innovation on the University campus.

Code E Drone on the University of Dayton campus.

Code E Drone supported by the School of Engineering's Leonardo Enterprises initiative.

Code E Drone designed to fly medical assistance in an emergency.

(l-r) Bernard Dalichau; translator, Deng Xue (Vicki); and Gonzalo Perez prior to their presentation at China-U.S. Young Maker Competition.

Gonzalo Perez and Bernard Dalichau win 2nd place at China-U.S. Young Maker Competition.

With Code E Drone design created from Home Depot parts in China, Gonzalo Perez and Bernard Dalichau win 2nd place at China-U.S. Young Maker Competition.

(l-r) Aaron, judge; Mike and Nick, competition team; Gonzalo and Bernard, competition team; Vince, judge at China-U.S. Young Maker Competition.

(l-r) Mike Sundermeier, Nick West, Gonzalo Perez and Bernard Dalichau celebrating at a restaurant in Shanghai called Flair after competition.

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