Bringing together creativity, technology and industry expertise, this year’s Computer Science and Engineering Final Year Project (FYP) Showcase celebrated the exceptional achievements of our graduating students. In partnership with IT services company Netcompany, the annual event provided a platform for students to showcase their original technology-based solutions, developed throughout their final year. Their projects explored ways to address real-world challenges, with students presenting their ideas to industry professionals from Netcompany and Smart DCC. Now in its fifth year, the showcase highlights the breadth of talent across the School and gives students the opportunity to gain valuable industry insight, receive expert feedback and showcase projects with real-world applications.
From more than 400 final-year project submissions across the School, ten outstanding projects were selected to be showcased. The finalists were recognised for their achievements and invited to present their work to a panel of industry experts. All ten students received prizes ranging from £100 to £1,000 in addition to competition categories for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Social Impact prizes.
This blog series will highlight some of the finalist projects, sharing their experiences of developing their ideas, presenting their work to industry professionals and reflecting on their journey studying at Westminster.
We spoke to Software Engineering with Electronics BEng student Matthew, one of this year’s finalists and the winner of first place about his final year project, his Westminster experience and career ambitions.
Could you tell us a bit about your course and what aspects you have particularly enjoyed?
One of the things I have enjoyed most about studying the Smart Computer Systems BEng now the Software Engineering with Electronics BEng has been the combination of software development and hardware engineering.
The course has allowed me to explore different areas, from programming and software engineering to electronics, circuits, motors and embedded systems. Having this combination of skills has helped me understand how software and hardware work together to create real-world solutions.
When I first started the course, I had no previous knowledge or experience in robotics. However, during my second year we built an autonomous micro-mouse, where we programmed a robot to navigate through a maze. This project sparked my interest in robotics and encouraged me to explore the industry further and understand how these technologies are being developed and used.
Could you tell us more about your final-year project and what inspired it?
For my final-year project, I developed a Gesture-Controlled Robot Arm for Laboratory Pick and Place, that uses a camera and a computer vision model to translate hand movements into movements performed by the robot.
The system uses reference points captured by the camera to calculate the movement of the hand and convert this information into steps that control the robot arm. I designed the entire system myself, from the software and image processing to connecting the laptop with the robot arm and manufacturing the physical components through an external company.
I also developed a graphical user interface (GUI) to help users understand the movement of the robot arm through X, Y and Z coordinates:
- X-axis: left and right movement
- Y-axis: forward and backward movement
- Z-axis: height movement
The motivation behind this project was not to replace humans, but to create technology that can support people in situations where safety is important. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, robots could help reduce human contact with harmful substances or viruses. In laboratory environments, a robot arm like this could potentially handle materials such as petri dishes in controlled spaces.
Another aim of the project was to explore a more affordable and accessible approach to robotics. Industrial robot arms are often extremely expensive, large and designed for large-scale manufacturing. My project focuses on creating a more cost-effective, desktop-sized solution that can work with smaller materials.
The project took around six months to complete, from the initial idea through to the final development. The most time-consuming part was creating the software that allowed the hardware and robot arm to communicate effectively. One of the biggest challenges was improving the accuracy and precision of the robot’s movements.
What skills have you developed during your course and how have they helped with your final project and future career?
The course has helped me develop a wide range of technical skills, particularly in electronics, which were essential for my final project.
Before studying the course, I had no understanding of components such as PCBs, motors or electronic systems. Learning about these areas gave me the knowledge needed to design and build my robot arm and understand how the different parts of the system worked together.
How does it feel to present your project to industry professionals?
Presenting my project to industry professionals was a really rewarding experience. It was exciting to be able to showcase something I had designed and developed from the ground up and receive feedback from people working in the industry.
The experience also helped build my confidence in explaining technical concepts and demonstrating how my project could have practical applications beyond university.
What are your career aspirations, and how has your course prepared you?
After graduating, I have secured a role as a consultant with a company specialising in smart wearable technology.
The combination of software engineering and electronics skills I gained during my degree has prepared me well for this role, as I understand both the programming side and the physical technology behind innovative products.
The practical nature of the course, alongside opportunities to work on projects, has helped me develop the skills and confidence needed to transition into industry.
What has been the highlight of your time studying at Westminster?
One of the biggest highlights of my time at Westminster has been the facilities and the opportunities available outside of my studies.
I really enjoyed getting involved in extracurricular activities, including joining the Muay Thai Society. Being part of a society helped me create a balance between my academic work, personal interests and social life.
The supportive learning environment has also been a major highlight. My project tutor and course leader Martin Giles was always willing to take the time to explain concepts in more detail and helped keep me motivated throughout my studies. All the academics on the course were supportive and approachable, which made a big difference during challenging projects.
Looking back, Westminster has given me the opportunity to develop new skills, discover my passion for robotics and prepare for an exciting career in technology.
Project supervisor and Course Leader, Martin Giles, praised Matthew’s achievements:
“I am very proud of Matthew’s academic achievements and the practical engineering expertise he has demonstrated throughout his studies. He has developed strong capabilities in computer systems engineering, consistently showing professionalism, commitment, and excellent performance, particularly in project-based modules and his final-year project. Matthew has demonstrated a thorough understanding of embedded systems, control engineering, electromechanical design, and robotics, applying his knowledge to deliver an outstanding engineering solution. His technical ability and practical skills are highly valued in industry, and I am confident he will enjoy a successful career in electronics and computer systems engineering. It has been a pleasure to support and teach him throughout his time at the University.”
Empowering Students Through Industry Engagement
Huseyin Dagdeviren, Senior Lecturer and Director of Employability in Computer Science and Engineering, shared:
“The Final Year Project Showcase continues to be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the creativity, technical expertise and dedication of our students. Now in its fifth year, our partnership with Netcompany, alongside the involvement of Smart DCC, has allowed us to strengthen the connection between academia and industry, giving our students the opportunity to showcase their work, receive valuable feedback and build confidence in presenting their ideas to professionals.
The quality and diversity of this year’s projects demonstrate the incredible talent within our School and the ability of our students to apply their learning to address real-world challenges. These experiences are an important part of preparing our graduates for successful careers in the technology sector.”
Mariella Chapman, Supplier Relationship Manager at Smart DCC shared:
“The DCC team found the projects incredibly interesting and were genuinely inspired by the level of talent across the University. It was a real privilege to be part of the day, and we look forward to continuing to build on this through future collaboration and co-creation with Westminster.”
Graham Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at Smart DCC and judge at the event commented:
“It was inspiring to see the creativity, innovation and technical excellence on display, with students consistently focusing on how their ideas could deliver real value for end users.”
The showcase reflects Westminster’s strong commitment to employability and real-world learning, providing students with opportunities to develop industry connections, gain professional experience and graduate as confident, skilled contributors in the ever-evolving technology sector.
About Westminster
As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. Visit our website to find out more about our Computer Science and Engineering courses.
