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Registration has opened for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Apprentice Automation Challenge 2025.
Organised by the institution’s Manufacturing Industries Division’s Young Members Committee, this annual engineering competition tasks teams of up to eight apprentices to design and manufacture a device to automate an everyday product. This could be a smart mirror, a food processor or an automated walking stick – the choice is yours.
The competition offers an opportunity for apprentices and the companies in which they work to further develop their knowledge, expertise and skills on a fun, high-profile project that is as close to the real world as possible. All teams develop and submit a report that includes a full design specification, manufacturing instructions, user manual and business case.
The challenge culminates with a finals event held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry in late September, during which teams are given the opportunity to demonstrate their working prototypes and respond to questions from the judging panel.
To get involved in the Apprentice Automation Challenge, simply download the AAC 2025 rules, gather a team of up to six apprentices, complete the registration form on the challenge website and start brainstorming ideas for your product.
The registration form must be completed by 1 March 2025.
If you have any questions, visit the Apprentice Automation Challenge website or email the team at [email protected].