Feiran Lu

University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2025 > BEng students > Feiran Lu

Glidra is an autonomous ice rescue system designed to provide fast and reliable help.

Hi! I’m Feiran Lu, a product design student with a strong interest in assistive and human-centered design. I’m especially interested in how biology, natural systems, and emotional experiences can lead to meaningful design outcomes. My project focused on ice rescue equipment—exploring how design can respond to extreme environments while protecting human life. This made me to think about function, safety, and usability in high-risk contexts, and it deepened my interest in designing for resilience and survival.

In addition to physical product design, I’ve also studied UI/UX to understand how people interact with digital systems, particularly under stress or pressure. I’m interested in how digital and physical interfaces can support human behavior, and how design can help bridge emotional and practical needs.

I often explore future-oriented, speculative scenarios to think critically about where design is heading—touching on themes like digital identity and the role of nature in emotional well-being. Whether it’s creating tools for survival or helping connections with the environment, I believe design has the power to shape how we live, connect, and adapt.

I’m seeking a role that values interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and socially conscious innovation—where I can continue creating thoughtful, responsive, and future-facing solutions that make a real impact.

Feiran Lu, BEng Product Design and Manufacture

Glidra - An auto ice rescue system

Every year, many people suffer from accidents on frozen lakes, often with delayed or no rescue available, leading to tragic outcomes. Traditional rescue methods can be slow and dangerous for both victims and rescuers. This urgent safety issue inspired the development of Glidra, an autonomous ice rescue system designed to provide fast and reliable help.

Glidra consists of three parts: a Wearable Tag, an Autonomous Hovercraft, and a Winch System. When someone falls through ice, the wearable tag detects water immersion and automatically sends the victim’s GPS location to the closest hovercraft. The hovercraft then automatically drives over ice and water to reach the victim within seconds, enabling fast rescue.

The hovercraft is designed with bright yellow and red colors for easy spotting in low-visibility conditions. It features an inflatable airbag that lifts the victim up. The wearable tag clips onto clothing or can be worn on the wrist, activating instantly when submerged without requiring any action from the user.

The winch system pulls the victim safely back to shore. Made from durable alloy steel, it uses a strong but lightweight rope capable of handling up to 450 kg.