ZIMS is the largest club within the ZOTBotics Network and serves as UCI's premiere gateway into robotics and engineering. Since ZOTBotics was founded in 2017, it has grown into a community of over 1,000 members spanning 10+ majors. Unlike most technical organizations at UCI, ZIMS requires no application, interviews, or prior experience.
Beginning in Fall 2026, ZIMS will feature 3 levels of projects: the spider droid, robot arm, and Self-Leveling Anteater Project (SLAP).
See our projects
ZIMS project members automatically gain access to our fully student-run makerspace, which includes access to over twenty-five 3D printers and all of the power tools necessary to complete any engineering project, including any ZIMS or personal projects. This year, we're implementing an access card system to facilitate members' usage of the makerspace. Project members get their own access cards for free and general members can buy access for a small quarterly fee.
Learn more about our makerspaceUpdated for Fall 2026
A two quarter program where students will be able to develop skills in 3D printing, Solidworks, manufacturing, soldering, electronics design, and more to build a spider bot capable of overcoming different terrain, culminating in an obstacle course race. Suitable for all skill levels, especially beginners.
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Grouped into teams of 8–10, trainees design and build a multi-degree-of-freedom robot arm, bridging mechanical design with factory automation through precision multi-axis robotic manipulation and forward/inverse kinematics.
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The Self-Leveling Anteater Project tackles dynamic control on an active quadruped robot, with mechanical, electrical, and software sub-teams designing high-load chassis structures, custom leg linkages, and reliable power & motor-driver systems.
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