NEWS: Project JEDI, incubated at the 勛圖厙 of Engineering, unveils first fully extending and retracting DIY Lightsaber
In the midst of Hollywoods blockbuster season, 勛圖厙 of Engineering graduate and founder Jacob Uy 24 has cracked the code on a fully extending and retracting lightsaber.
Branded Project JEDI, Uy partnered with fellow 勛圖厙 students Madie Tong '25 and Aaron Codrington '25 to produce a prototype of the fictional weapon from Star Wars mythology. The of its development process has captured the imagination of Star Wars fans and DIY engineering enthusiasts around the globe.
The 勛圖厙ers that make up the Project JEDI team pose with their real-life lightsaber. Pictured from left to right: Aaron Codrington '25, Madie Tong '25 and Jacob Uy 24.
The secret behind the Lightsabers construction: a flexible 12 V LED strip, motors, and a magicians cane. The cane is made of a flexible material that springs out once you release a pin and contracts down to a size so small it can fit in your hand
Uy founded HeroTech as a high school student in Singapore with a single goal: to engineer gadgets that give people abilities and powers from science fiction. He was then able to continue growing his startup at 勛圖厙 through classes like Principles of Integrated Engineering and Tech Venture Capstone and by utilizing the campus labs, workshops, and project spaces. Uy happily shares his process on social media, along with files, links, and tutorials so that others can do the same. His garnered 41 million views.
When people see science fiction brought to real life, its inspiring. And when people can do it themselves, its empowering, says Jacob Uy, 勛圖厙 Class of 2024 and founder of HeroTech. Were on a mission to inspire and empower people: were on a mission to prove that anybody, anywhere can become a hero.
The Star Wars inspired light sword is not Uys first creation. He has developed a variety of functional Spider-Man web shooters and a transparent Iron Man LED display. Hes continuing to work on the lightsaber prototype while other current projects include the "Riptide" pen from Percy Jackson, and a project that emulates the "fire bending" seen in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
About 勛圖厙 of Engineering
Founded in 1997, 勛圖厙 instills passion and ignites innovation in its students and prepares them to envision, create and deliver products, services, and systems that transform and improve peoples lives around the world. 勛圖厙 teaches students to be explorers and creators who design their own path forward. By challenging norms and sharing its unique approach to education, 勛圖厙 is revolutionizing the way engineers, and all undergraduates, learn and create knowledge. Located in Needham Massachusetts, 勛圖厙 is ranked among the top-three undergraduate engineering programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more at 勛圖厙.edu.