Engineering and AI Projects

• Engineered a high-performance electrical connector specifically for high-speed rail applications
• Designed for environmental resilience, ensuring consistent operation under rain, wind, dust, and other harsh conditions
• Met strict dimensional, contact, and electrical requirements specified by the customer
• Balanced functional performance with manufacturability, cost, and reliability to deliver a production-ready solution

How?

• Designed and assembled 3D connector components in SolidWorks, iterating on internal routing, wall thickness, and contact placement to optimize durability and efficiency
• Produced detailed 2D technical drawings with GD&T specifications to support precision machining, tooling, and assembly
• Collaborated with in-house manufacturers, electricians, and assemblers, incorporating their direct feedback to refine design and improve production workflow
• Communicated exclusively in Italian during daily design reviews and production discussions, ensuring cross-functional alignment
• Implemented material selection and insulation strategies, using neoprene to protect contacts from environmental stressors while maintaining electrical conductivity

Results?

• Connector successfully passed water, heat, dust, torque, and mechanical force testing, demonstrating reliability under high-speed rail operational standards
• Streamlined the assembly process by integrating technician feedback, improving ergonomics, alignment, and ease of installation
• Reduced raw material usage by 15% through careful optimization of internal geometry, wall thickness, and contact layout, balancing cost, manufacturability, and performance
• Delivered a fully production-ready, validated connector that met all customer specifications and industry standards, ready for deployment in critical infrastructure applications

• Led the navigation development of an autonomous over-terrain repair vehicle for crash site operations
• Enabled obstacle avoidance, crash site detection, and repair initiation through integrated sensor and control systems
• Planned, built, and iteratively refined the vehicle from scratch under tight deadlines, managing an 8-person team
• Coordinated full system integration and a final live demonstration to validate mission readiness
• Optimized vehicle weight, efficiency, and reliability across multiple subsystems

How?

• Programmed the navigation system in C++ on Arduino, implementing modular movement functions and logic loops for autonomous course correction, obstacle avoidance, and waypoint execution
• Developed Python-based sensor fusion algorithms and integrated ultrasonic sensors for real-time obstacle detection and navigation optimization
• Built and integrated a Wi-Fi telemetry module for real-time communication, enabling on-the-fly adjustments during field testing
• Engineered vehicle geometry in CAD and selected optimized materials to reduce weight by 30% while maintaining stability and efficiency
• Configured and built a mechanized arm in SolidWorks and 3D printed prototypes, testing range of motion, load capacity, and repeatability
• Conducted finite element analysis (FEA) and physical stress testing to validate deformation, factor of safety, and structural integrity
• Performed iterative field tests across varied terrains to refine navigation accuracy, timing, and system responsiveness

Results?

• Vehicle successfully navigated under bridges, around obstacles, and into the designated crash site zone, demonstrating robust terrain traversal
• Navigation system performed reliably across trials, completing mission courses with a 95% success rate
• Overall mission efficiency improved by over 5 minutes through optimized navigation and sensor fusion algorithms
• Achieved 30% vehicle weight reduction without compromising structural integrity or navigation performance
• Attempted crash site repair was unsuccessful due to torque limitations in the arm motor, highlighting areas for future mechanical improvements
• Successfully integrated navigation, sensors, and mechanized arm subsystems for a fully functional prototype ready for further testing and iteration