Featured Projects

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VT CRO Bimodal Robot
Design Team

VT CRO Bimodal Robot

šŸ“… Sep 2025 – Present
  • Research
  • Fusion360
  • ESP32

Bimodal robot research project capable of transitioning between land and air travel.

DARPA Heavy Lift Challenge Team
Design Team

Virginia Tech DARPA Heavy Lift Challenge Team

šŸ“… Jan 2026 – Present
  • Ansys Simulation
  • Topology Optimization
  • FEA

Gas-powered heavy lift drone designed to compete in DARPA competition to lift 110+ lbs while remaining under 55 lbs.

Cephalobot Soft Robot
Class Project

Cephalobot — Soft Robotic Squid

šŸ“… Oct 2025 – Dec 2025
  • Soft Robotics
  • Silicone Casting
  • Pneumatics

Squid-inspired soft robot utilizing controlled silicone airbladder inflation to produce jet propulsion.

e-Nable Prosthetic Hand
Design Team

e-Nable Low-Cost Prosthetic Hand

šŸ“… Aug 2024 – Present
  • Research
  • SolidWorks
  • Arduino
  • 3D Printing

Research and develop 3D-printed tendon-driven prosthetic designed for low-cost production.

Mandalorian Flamethrower*
Personal Project

Mandalorian Wrist-Mounted Flamethrower*

šŸ“… Oct 2025 – Present
  • Pneumatic Systems
  • PTC Creo
  • Safety Engineering

Wearable ignition system with integrated safety and custom fabrication.

QuikStep
Class Project

QuikStep

šŸ“… Jan 2025 – May 2025
  • Siemens NX
  • FMEA
  • C++
  • Microsoft Project

Bed ladder product designed to bring accessiblity to confined living spaces.

CanSat Probe
Design Team

CanSat 2024 Probe

šŸ“… Aug 2023 – May 2024
  • SolidWorks
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Manufacturing
  • Aerodynamics

Telemetry-equipped atmospheric probe with controlled descent and sensor suite.

Cardboard Bridge
Class Project

Cardboard Bridge

šŸ“… Mar 2023 - May 2023
  • Structural Design
  • Load Paths
  • Optimization
  • Fabrication

Competition bridge composed of only cardboard and glue optimizing geometry to withstand 425+ lbs.

Rover With Laser System
Personal Project

XBee Controlled Rover

šŸ“… Sep 2020
  • XBee
  • Arduino
  • Servo Control
  • Teleoperation

Tank-drive rover with two-axis laser turret controlled originially via touchscreen, then accelerometer glove.

Contact

Email: jsantosuosso@vt.edu

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsantosuosso