Red Bull Los Angeles Soapbox Derby

This project centered on designing and building a gravity powered race cart based on Appa from Avatar The Last Airbender. I took the lead on the project, working with three other engineering friends to make our idea come to life. I created the concept sketches and digital models in Solidworks and Blender and built the structure plan. I sourced old carts and tested their frames, then led a full redesign when a dune buggy frame proved too heavy. We developed and tested a PVC and epoxy frame concept, reinforced the load paths, and installed a mechanical brake system that we tuned through downhill trials. I managed communication with the Red Bull event team and media staff and learned how to navigate their review process and required updates. I organized design reviews with an advisor board I put together full of engineers and prop designers. The final cart met our goals for stability, steering, and race readiness.