Guide to Imagine RIT

Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival is a one-of-a-kind, free festival that is all about innovation and showing off the incredible and creative minds of RIT's students, faculty, and staff. This year's event will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 10am-5pm on RIT's Henrietta Campus.

Key features of Imagine RIT 2026 include over 450 exhibits that range from live performances, research, STEM and hands-on demonstrations, and many family friendly activities. 

At this family-friendly event, visitors of all ages can experience the breadth and depth of RIT through interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, performing arts, and research projects set up throughout campus. With exhibits ranging from space exploration and robotics to virtual reality and interactive experiences, there's something for everyone at Imagine RIT.

RIT SPACE EXPLORATION-ROVERS TEAM

The SPEX Rovers team designed and built a rover to compete in the International Mars Society's University Rover Challenge (URC). The latest rover, Scorpio, features an independent differential suspension mounted on a box-framed chassis and supports three interchangeable modules: the science module to check soil for signs of life, the 5-axis robotic arm to manipulate various devices, and the LiDAR unit to use computer vision–based for autonomous navigation.

ROBOT MANIPULATOR FOR BOSTON DYNAMICS SPOT

The team designed and constructed a six degree-of-freedom (6-DoF) robotic arm that meets the mechanical, electrical, and operational requirements for integration with a Boston Dynamics SPOT robot platform. Dr. Jamison Heard, a professor of electrical engineering and robotics, specified that the arm must be capable of reliably lifting and holding a minimum payload of five pounds. In addition to meeting these functional requirements, the final design emphasizes a sleek yet robust mechanical structure, delivering smooth, precise motion when controlled through ROS 2 and MoveIt.

INTERACTIVE COMPUTER ZOO

This booth lets kids interact with small simple computers. Different demonstrations show: interactive sound creation, light display, and computer control. With these inexpensive computers, Kids can create their own interactive toys. The field of Computer Science that read sensors and makes motors move is called physical computing. Microcomputers, like Arduinos and Raspberry Pi computers, are so small they can be sewn into clothing to create wearable computers.

THE RIT DRUMLINE

The RIT Drumline is an indoor, competitive, marching percussion ensemble that performs and competes annually in the New York State Percussion Circuit. At the Imagine RIT exhibit, the Drumline will perform the auditory part of their 2026 show, Roll of the Dice, inspired by class tabletop role-playing adventures like Dungeons and Dragons along with other fun and upbeat percussion pieces to jam to!

RIT CLEAN SNOWMOBILE

The RIT Clean Snowmobile team, is at the cross-section of performance and environmental consciousness. Following their 1st overall placement in 2024, we have been pursuing building the world's first hybrid snowmobile. This Imagine RIT, they are unveiling their fully assembled hybrid prototype! Come visit the booth to see student designed and manufactured custom PCBs, mufflers, accumulator, and so much more!

THE LAST WEAVERS VR EXPERIENCE

Step into a 5 minute immersive VR journey to a village in Međimurje, Croatia, where a master craftswoman guides you through the art of traditional willow basket weaving. Complete four interactive stages to build your own virtual basket as it comes to life before your eyes. With two VR stations, a shared display, and a real handcrafted basket to explore, this exhibit brings a fading cultural tradition vividly into the present.

RECYCLED MOTORIZED CART: KILOBYTE

Kilobyte is a motorized shopping cart built mostly from scrap and repurposed parts. The project shows how everyday materials and scrap components can be turned into a working machine with creativity and problem-solving. Visitors can see the motors, wiring, and control system up close and try the controls in a safe, stationary demo. The exhibit also shows some of the trial-and-error behind the build, highlighting how engineers work through challenges when they don’t have perfect parts.

HALO 7: EMERGENCY CERVICAL STABALIZATION DEVICE 

This emergency cervical collar is designed to completely stabilize a patient’s neck in the case of injury and offer superior comfort and adjustability compared to current collars. Current collars provide poor stability and movement restriction. This idea comes from the team's client, Michael Beinetti, a 20-year EMS veteran who is trying to address these issues. The exhibit will showcase a 3D-printed prototype and a range of motion study for proof of concept.

And so much more!

Where should I park?

Free parking is available in various lots across campus. Additional parking can be found at MCC along with shuttles to RIT campus. The first shuttle leaves MCC for RIT at 8:30 am. The last shuttle will leave RIT for MCC at 6:00 pm. Shuttles run continuously throughout the day. 

Will there be food or drinks?

Festival attendees will have plenty of dining options! All RIT dining facilities will be open, and a variety of food trucks will be stationed across campus. A full list of dining locations and their hours of operation can be found on the interactive campus map. 

Where do I go when I first arrive?

Swing by a Welcome Center tent located at the edges of all major parking lots and at the shuttle stop, these centers are your go-to spot for picking up a festival program and getting any questions answered by friendly volunteers.

Are sign language interpreters available?

Interpreters will be stationed at each Welcome Center and various locations throughout campus. They will be identifiable by their purple T-shirts labeled “Interpreter.” Additionally, all performances on the main stages will have interpreters.

Click here for more information and we'll see you at Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival on April 25! Don't forget to share your trip highlights with us using #VisitROC.