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Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU) Teams Win First and Second Prizes in 2025 China-U.S. Young Maker Competition Finals

The 2025 China-U.S. Young Maker Competition, hosted by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and co-organized by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), Tsinghua University, Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group Co., Ltd., China University Science Park Alliance, and U.S. partners, witnessed outstanding performances from Tsinghua teams in the finals held at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing from August 2 to 4, 2025.

Three Tsinghua teams secured top honors:

·Boundary Interactive Team won the First Prize in the main track with their 3D Spatial “Touchscreen” project.

·Stellar Wanderers Team received the Second Prize for their Immersive Mars Cockpit project. Both teams had core members from Tsinghua Academy of Arts & Design.

·Another First Prize went to Elfin Tech Team, supported by Tsinghua Maker Space Association (affiliated with the Academy of Arts & Design), for their Fully Autonomous Ophthalmic Surgical Robot.

Group photo of the award-winning team from Tsinghua University

On August 4, the awards ceremony took place at the Future Theater of the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People. Dignitaries in attendance included, Zhao Lei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, MOE, Wang Daquan, Director of CEAIE, Xia Jianhui, Deputy Director of CEAIE, Qi Yongqing, Deputy Party Secretary of Beijing Gehua Media Group, Zhao Jun, Deputy Director of the China Soong Ching Ling Center, Mao Dongmin, Director of the Americas Division, MOE, Zhao Debi, Researcher of the Beijing Municipal Publicity Department, Hu Chuxiong, Deputy Director of Tsinghua University’s Academic Affairs Office and Chair of the Competition Jury.

Left: Zhao Lei Right: Wang Daquan

Zhao Lei noted in his speech that the China-U.S. Young Makers Competition employs technology as a medium and innovation as a bridge for exchange. This model embodies the enthusiasm of Chinese and international youth for innovation and their desire for mutual understanding, injecting new vitality into global cultural exchange. “Innovation knows no borders, and youth represent the future.”

Wang Daquan introduced that this year’s competition was held simultaneously across 13 Chinese regional divisions and 2 U.S. divisions, attracting over 23,500 participants from more than 4,900 teams. Notably, 14 cross-continental China-U.S. collaborative teams were formed through cloud-based cooperation, building a bridge of friendship across the Pacific.

Left: Hu Chuxiong right: Launch ceremony of the competition finals

Hu Chuxiong emphasized that young makers excel at transforming ideas into tangible products. One of the competition’s most significant values lies in providing them with opportunities for creative expression and problem-solving. “The challenges of overcoming obstacles, mastering new technologies, and refining solutions in a competitive environment enhance participants’ skills and knowledge, making this a truly invaluable learning experience.”

Award-Winning Projects & Teams

“Boundary Interactive” Team – Grand Prize Winner

Members:

·Wu Shanzheng (Head, Tsinghua Makerspace Association; School of Aerospace Engineering)

·Luo Yi'an, Gong Qinnan, Fu Chengbo (Academy of Arts & Design, THU)

·Xu Lutianze (Northwestern Polytechnical University, School of Naval Architecture)

Project: “3D Spatial ‘Touchscreen’”, A next-gen human-computer interaction system for the spatial computing era.

Wu Shanzheng explained: “Our system breaks the limitations of conventional VR, where ‘eyes move but the body remains static.’ Users can physically walk through virtual worlds. Unlike omnidirectional treadmills restricted to 2D movement, our tech supports true 3D tactile experiences—climbing stairs, descending slopes, even feeling sand or pebbles underfoot.” This innovation solves long-standing VR industry challenges like motion sickness and spatial dependency while offering creators a revolutionary development platform.

Luo Yi’an (Academy of Arts & Design): “Traditional VR interaction is visually dominant, with the body passively following. Our breakthrough lets the body become the brush, making virtual existence visceral and natural. This project epitomizes the symbiosis of art and technology.”

“Boundary Interactive” team presenting their “Boundary Interactive-3D Spatial ‘Touchscreen’” project

Grand Prize award ceremony

Team with advisors

 “Stellar Voyager” Team – Second Prize & “China-U.S. Collaboration Award”

Members:

·Li Jianwen (Lead, Academy of Arts & Design), Xiong Ruilin, Hu Xinyang

·Gong Ruobin (U.S. citizen, School of Vehicle and Mobility)

·Xing Yanan (Sichuan Fine Arts Institute)

Project: “Immersive Martian Cockpit”, A solution for driver fatigue/isolation in extreme environments (e.g., Mars missions).

Unlike conventional cockpits, this system uses adaptive interfaces (e.g., control spheres, therapeutic suits) to monitor biometrics (pulse, respiration) and translate them into interactive commands. “It doesn’t just assess the driver’s state, it actively guides breathing and muscle relaxation for holistic well-being,” said Li Jianwen.

Gong Ruobin highlighted the team’s interdisciplinary approach: “While our design peers focused on user experience, my role was refining operational feasibility, like replacing steering wheels with intuitive spherical controls.” Despite technical hurdles, the team ensured system stability, achieving their goal: “to infuse future tech with emotional resonance and care.”

“Stellar Voyager” team presenting their “Immersive Mars Cockpit” project

Second Prize award ceremony

Team with advisors

Tsinghua University excelled both in competition and organization:

·“Best Organization Award” (shared with Huazhong University of Science & Technology and Hangzhou Normal University) for fielding the most finalist teams.

·Fu Zhiyong (Academy of Arts & Design) received the “China-U.S. People-to-People Exchange Award” for his decade-long leadership (since 2014) in coordinating finals/Beijing divisions and mentoring prize-winning makerspace teams.

Fu Zhiyong (left) receiving the award

Since its 2014 inception, the China-U.S. Young Makers Competition (“Co-Making the Future”) has engaged 80,000+ youth, yielding 20,000+ innovations. More than a contest, it’s a platform for free exploration, collaborative ingenuity, and enduring China-U.S. friendship. The spirit of innovation and cooperation showcased here vividly reflects the youthful contribution to a shared human future. Through such exchanges, Chinese and American youth will keep pioneering technological progress, advancing civilization together.