For my Mechanical Engineering capstone project, I collaborated on an umbrella-sharing system to address Carnegie Mellon students’ needs during frequent rainy weather. Recognizing the common issue of forgotten umbrellas, our system offered a convenient solution with the tap of an ID. Through market research, we identified key competitor features like theft security, drying mechanisms, and machine durability. Our final prototype resulted in a well-received design, winning the Best Prototype award. This project effectively combined user-centered design with engineering principles to tackle an all too familiar problem for Pittsburgh residents (aka Yinzers).