Kick-Start Our Hydrofoil and Send Ogopogo to Competition!
Help UBCO students build, compete and Engineer what’s next.
Your support helps UBC Okanagan students design, build and compete on an international stage while gaining hands-on experience that shapes their futures.
Project Description
Okanagan Marine Robotics (OKMR) is a fast-growing, student-led design team at UBC Okanagan, now 100 members strong. We design and build Ogopogo, our autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and are the only team on campus focused on autonomous marine technology.
Since founding the team in 2023, we have already made waves. In 2024, we placed 15th out of more than 50 teams at RoboSub. In 2025, we returned to California and placed 11th out of 58 teams while doubling our membership to over 80 students.
In 2026, we are pushing even further. We are preparing to compete with our most advanced version of Ogopogo yet and launching a new hydrofoil project, a student-designed electric boat that lifts above the water to reduce drag and increase efficiency.
To make this possible, we need your help. Your gift will help cover travel costs for our AUV team, including airfare, accommodation, shipping and competition registration, and support the launch of our hydrofoil division by funding materials, control systems and testing equipment for our first prototype.
Every donation brings us closer to representing UBCO on the international stage and driving innovation right here in the Okanagan.
Challenges and Impact of Your Support
One of our biggest challenges is the cost of travel. RoboSub takes place in California, and sending a team of 12 to 15 students requires funding for flights, lodging and transportation. As a volunteer student team, we rely on limited university funding and sponsorships, and without additional support, some students may not be able to attend.
At the same time, we are launching a new hydrofoil division while continuing to grow our AUV program. Building a safe and effective hydrofoil requires upfront investment in materials like carbon fibre, electric propulsion and control systems, all while maintaining our existing program.
Your support makes a direct and tangible impact:
- $5 helps provide hands-on materials for a student during an outreach session
- $50 supports ongoing building, testing and iteration
- $500 helps keep our AUV competition-ready
- $1,500 helps send a student to RoboSub or to bring our hydrofoil project to life
Every gift, no matter the size, moves us forward. You are helping students apply their skills in real, meaningful ways while advancing marine robotics in our community.
Are you an organization or business and want to support us? Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. Give through our Corporate Giving and Sponsorship page or contact us at dmanhart@student.ubc.ca to discuss further.
About Okanagan Marine Robotics
OKMR is more than a design team, it is a community of builders, problem-solvers and future leaders. Our 100-member team includes students from engineering, software, management and beyond, working together to bring complex projects to life.
With guidance from faculty mentors and industry partners, students gain hands-on experience in mechanical design, electronics, software development, project management and leadership.
We are also deeply committed to outreach. Through workshops and school programs across the Okanagan, including sessions at Kelowna Secondary School and local elementary schools, we introduce students to robotics, sensors and autonomous systems in engaging, accessible ways. These experiences spark curiosity and open doors to STEM for the next generation.
Your support helps us continue this work while giving students the opportunity to build, compete and grow.
