Poli de Baja
Poli Baja is an extension team dedicated to the design, development, and validation of single-seater off-road vehicles for the Baja SAE university competition. The competition challenges teams to conceive a robust, safe, and high-performance vehicle capable of operating on rough terrain, simulating real-world conditions and demanding comprehensive engineering solutions.
Throughout each annual cycle, students are responsible for all stages of vehicle development, including structural design of the chassis, suspension design, powertrain, transmission, steering and brake systems, as well as computational analysis, manufacturing, assembly, and experimental testing. The process involves practical application of fundamental areas of mechanical engineering, such as vehicle dynamics, strength of materials, manufacturing, and systems integration.
Founded in 2001, the team has accumulated over 20 development cycles and outstanding results, including back-to-back national championships at Baja SAE Brasil and placements among the best teams in the world at Baja SAE International. Poli Baja provides students with a complete applied engineering experience, with strong emphasis on design, validation, and performance under real conditions.
Testimonials:
Being part of Baja is not easy, it is a constant challenge, but the return is huge: technical learning, people management, teamwork, and real experience of a project built from scratch. More than theory, it is intense practice, autonomy, and professional growth even before entering the job market. All of this becomes even more intense during competition season. At the 2026 National competition, even with difficulties, a tight schedule, and the car being finished only shortly before the competition, the result came: 1st place at Nationals, plus a spot to compete in the World Championship.
Victor Zouein – Baja Captain (2026) – entered Poli in 2024
Fórmula Racing
Created in 2008, Poli Racing is an extension team dedicated to developing formula-style vehicles for the Formula SAE competition, in which students are challenged to design, build, and validate a high-performance car.
Throughout the vehicle development process, team members apply knowledge from areas such as vehicle dynamics, structures, aerodynamics, suspension systems, brakes, transmission, systems integration, as well as project management and planning. In this way, the team turns the competition into an environment of intense technical training, where theory and practice are directly connected.
In its first participation, Poli Racing achieved prominence by earning 6th place overall among 20 teams, in addition to becoming the first rookie team to participate in the dynamic events in the history of the competition in Brazil. In 2010, in its second participation, the team developed a new prototype focused on better dynamic performance and achieved 8th place overall, with a significant increase in score compared to the previous year.
PET Mecânica
PET Mecânica is an extension group focused on the complementary education of students through integrated teaching, research, and extension activities. Its work brings together engineering projects, academic initiatives, and social actions, offering students the opportunity to apply technical knowledge in practical contexts with direct impact on society.
Created in 1991, PET Mecânica was one of the first PET groups at the Escola Politécnica da USP and, throughout its history, has had the participation of over a hundred students. Since its founding, the group has sought to contribute to a distinctive education in the Mechanical Engineering course, encouraging not only technical development but also social awareness, proactivity, leadership, and a commitment to positive changes for society.
Among its main projects are the development of the first hydrogen-powered car for Poli’s student competitions, PAS (Prótese Articulada Superior), focused on building prosthetics for people with upper limb loss, and EPA (Estudos de Projetos Aeronáuticos), which aims to build a remotely controlled glider. Additionally, the group promotes social actions through PET Social, with workshops in public schools, and actively participates in the academic life of the course, organizing activities such as guided visits and the course evaluation form.
Poli Milhagem
Poli Milhagem is an extension team dedicated to developing high energy-efficiency electric vehicles for student competitions, with a focus on minimizing fuel consumption. The team designs, builds, and tests prototypes optimized to travel the greatest possible distance with the least amount of energy, facing real engineering challenges related to efficiency and sustainability.
The team’s work involves engineering decisions directly linked to the vehicle’s overall performance, such as weight reduction, aerodynamic improvement, material selection, system calibration, and constructive refinement of the prototype. This process requires technical analysis, experimentation, and constant project improvement, allowing students to develop an integrated view of energy efficiency applied to mobility.
The team participates in competitions such as the Shell Eco-marathon, one of the world’s leading events in energy efficiency, in which vehicles are evaluated on their ability to maximize range with minimal consumption. Through this experience, Poli Milhagem contributes to the education of engineers with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and the development of sustainable solutions.
Testimonials:
Being part of PoliMilhagem is a special experience for me. From the posts I made while learning to use Canva when I joined marketing, to the time another new member and I went to Brás to buy tools and didn’t even know what a cotter pin was, the various tasks I had as a member of the mechanics team, the time I stayed late with the electrical veterans trying to get the car to start (so many crazy things happened that at one point we thought our horn had turned into a capacitor), the team barbecue where I watched my colleague drop the meat into the fire three times, to the recent rush, now as captain, to submit the proposal to the sponsor on time. At PoliMilhagem, I have been learning and creating memories with my colleagues on a project that, literally, depends only on us to move forward.
Felipe Magina – Captain (2026) – entered in 2024
Keep Flying
Keep Flying is an extension team dedicated to developing aircraft for the SAE AeroDesign competition, in which students are challenged to design, build, and operate radio-controlled airplanes optimized for performance, efficiency, and payload capacity. The team works on aeronautical solutions that meet strict requirements for stability, structural strength, and flight operation.
The development of the aircraft involves activities such as aerodynamic design, structural sizing, performance analysis, material selection, manufacturing, and flight testing. Throughout each cycle, students validate aircraft behavior under real conditions and refine the project based on technical and operational criteria, experiencing different stages of engineering applied to the aeronautical sector.
Throughout its history, Keep Flying has accumulated impressive results, including 2 national titles, 1 world title, 2 national runner-up finishes, 18 Top 10 national placements, and the payload record in 2010. These results establish the team as one of Poli’s leading student references in aeronautical engineering competitions.
Participating in Keep Flying was one of the most important steps in my education at the Escola Politécnica. It was in the group that I was truly able to work on an engineering project and develop skills that would never be required during regular undergraduate studies, such as managing a real project, financial and people management, in addition to expanding my knowledge in aeronautical areas. Keep Flying opened doors for me to be an engineer in practice, from the first year of undergraduate studies, adding to my resume learnings that are impossible to obtain in the classroom, generating unique professional opportunities.
Miguel Paschoal Pedote – Project Director (2026) – entered Poli in 2024
PoliSat
PoliSat is an extension team dedicated to the development of CubeSats and other applied space solutions, bringing together undergraduate students in projects focused on technology, innovation, and solving real problems. Since its creation in 2021, the team operates at the interface between engineering, research, and competition, offering students direct contact with nanosatellite development.
The group’s activities involve different stages of a space project, such as mission conception, subsystem integration, embedded electronics, structure, communication, and technical validation. Through this, students gain practical experience in small-scale space systems, applying engineering knowledge in a highly interdisciplinary context.
Even with only a few years of history, PoliSat has already accumulated notable results, such as 1st place at LASC 2023, 1st place at Sudeste OBSAT 2022, and 2nd place at LASC 2022, establishing itself as one of the most prominent student initiatives in the space area within Poli.
Testimonials
PoliSat is exactly what every engineer who craves practice and wants to see a project come to life, learning a lot in the process, needs. More than that, it is excellent for practicing what you already know; the environment encourages you to leave your comfort zone and learn things we didn’t even know we liked. Basically, PoliSat prepares you for what you will find in your professional career. All of this becomes even more special because of the group’s unity; we are like a family where everyone helps each other, welcoming those who arrive knowing almost nothing, as was my case. I joined knowing basically nothing, and today I have the honor of preparing to represent the group in two major continental-level competitions, LASC and CubeDesign.
Nathan Cunha – Member (2026) – entered Poli in 2024
Projeto Jupiter
Projeto Jupiter is an extension team focused on rocket development, working in the areas of structural design, aerodynamics, propulsion, recovery, and flight instrumentation. Created in 2014, the group was formed with the goal of developing the first rocket at the Escola Politécnica for participation in the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), a milestone achieved in 2015 with the launch of Jupiter I.
The team’s activities cover the entire engineering cycle of the vehicle, including mission conception, requirements definition, aerodynamic modeling, structural sizing, subsystem integration, and experimental validation through testing and launches. This process requires practical application of concepts from mechanics, flight dynamics, strength of materials, embedded systems, and performance analysis in a context of high technical complexity.
Since then, Projeto Jupiter has maintained continuous participation in launch competitions, with notable results at the Latin American Space Challenge (LASC) and other national and international competitions. Throughout its history, the team has also conducted its own launch operations and developed rockets capable of reaching apogees of kilometers in altitude, establishing itself as one of Poli’s leading student initiatives in aerospace engineering.
Testimonials
Being part of Projeto Jupiter is experiencing the complete cycle of aerospace engineering at a very high level of complexity. Working on the team, I had the opportunity to see concepts of flight dynamics, embedded systems, and strength of materials leave the classroom and come to life at the launch pad. More than the technical learning in subsystems such as recovery and instrumentation, Jupiter brought me enormous growth in management, teamwork, and leadership. Coordinating resources and deadlines to get a high-altitude rocket off the ground, facing the real challenges of competitions like LASC and IREC, brings a professional and human maturity that completely transforms our trajectory at Poli.
Marcelo Makoto – Financial Manager (2026) – entered Poli in 2025
Poli Náutico
Poli Náutico is an extension team dedicated to the design and development of watercraft for university competitions, focusing on performance, efficiency, and reliability in aquatic environments. The team works on the design and construction of nautical prototypes, applying engineering principles to face real operational and competition challenges.
The development of watercraft involves activities such as hydrodynamic hull design, structural analysis, propulsion systems, stability and control, as well as manufacturing processes and real-environment testing. Throughout the project cycle, students work on subsystem integration and validation of watercraft performance, dealing with typical technical and operational constraints of naval engineering.
The team participates in academic competitions that evaluate both performance in practical events and the quality of the engineering project, providing members with a complete experience in complex system development. In this way, Poli Náutico contributes to the education of engineers with a strong applied foundation and the ability to work on multidisciplinary projects.
ThundeRatz
ThundeRatz is an extension team dedicated to the development of robotic systems for university competitions, working in different areas of competitive robotics. Founded in 2005 from the restructuring of a team created in 2001, the team develops robotic mechanisms for national and international competitions, standing out in the student robotics scene.
Its projects involve various categories, such as autonomous and radio-controlled sumo, combat robots, robot soccer, robotic hockey, line followers, and trekking, requiring knowledge in mechanical design, embedded electronics, control systems, programming, and hardware-software integration. The diversity of categories allows students to work on engineering problems with different performance, robustness, and strategy requirements.
Throughout its history, ThundeRatz has accumulated impressive results in competitions. At Winter Challenge XV, one of the main robotics competitions in Latin America, the team won over 300 trophies (including over 60 gold medals) in categories such as Hobbyweight, Futebol 2D, Sumô 3 kg rádio-controlado, Mini-sumô autônomo, Hockey Pro, Featherweight, and Trekking. In another notable participation, at the I Copa Serrana de Robótica, the team won gold in autonomous sumo 100g, silver in autonomous sumo 3kg, and bronze in radio-controlled sumo 3kg.
Other Extension Groups That May Interest You
Poli Consulting Club
Poli Consulting Club (PoliCC) is an extension group of the Escola Politécnica da USP focused on bringing students closer to the consulting world, developing essential skills for the field, such as business, structured problem-solving, communication, and soft skills. The group promotes internal training, strategic challenges, courses and external events, as well as workshops, podcasts, and initiatives to connect with companies, helping to bring the university community closer to a consulting career and the business world.
Turing USP
Turing USP is a USP extension group focused on developing projects, studies, and initiatives in artificial intelligence and data science, offering students an applied and interdisciplinary learning environment in these areas. The group works both on the internal training of its members and on carrying out projects with impact beyond the university, interacting with other institutions and with society. Additionally, it promotes knowledge dissemination through workshops, lectures, articles, videos, and other public-facing actions, helping to broaden access to topics related to AI and data science. Among the main areas studied by the group are Data Science, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Quantitative Finance, and Reinforcement Learning.
Zima
ZIMA – Grupo de Soluções Médico-Hospitalares is an extension group of the Escola Politécnica da USP focused on developing technological solutions for the hospital context, aiming to contribute to the improvement of processes, treatments, and work routines in public hospitals. The group seeks to bring engineering closer to the real demands of the healthcare sector, developing equipment and projects that assist the daily work of staff and patients, especially in areas such as internal logistics, automation, and rehabilitation support. Among the projects already highlighted institutionally by Poli are the Robô Hospitalar, the Automation of the University Hospital Pharmacy, and the Cycle Ergometer.
Testimonials:
Joining ZIMA was the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in mechanical engineering, alongside the biomedical field, and to practice it with a very noble and impactful purpose. Working on the development of a cycle ergometer for the rehabilitation of bedridden patients, I gained technical knowledge in CAD and 3D printing, but also a lot of personal growth, with teamwork, demand and deadline management, and a sense of belonging at Poli. In an interdisciplinary and welcoming environment that allows the application of theory seen in class, each challenge becomes professional and human growth. More than putting theory into practice, ZIMA shows how engineering can directly contribute to public health and improve people’s lives.
Lucas Melo, member (2026) – entered Poli in 2024
Poli Quant
Poli Quant is an extension group of the Escola Politécnica da USP dedicated to the learning, teaching, and application of quantitative finance, being institutionally presented as the first USP group fully focused on this area. The group seeks to offer students a solid education, combining theoretical and practical foundations in topics that unite mathematics, statistics, programming, and the financial market, preparing its members to work in a highly technical and rapidly growing segment. Its activities involve the study and application of quantitative methods in areas such as asset pricing, portfolio optimization, trend forecasting, and risk mitigation, as well as promoting training activities and knowledge dissemination within the university.
Poli Finance
Poli Finance is an extension group of the Escola Politécnica da USP dedicated to the study of and the connection between the university and the financial market. Founded in 2012, the group operates by organizing events, courses, training sessions, and partnerships with sector institutions, aiming to complement student education and develop practical skills valued by the market. Among its initiatives are open courses, recruitment events, and training projects that connect Poli students to professionals and leading companies, as well as actions aimed at increasing access and diversity in the financial sector.
SkyRats
Skyrats is an extension group of the Escola Politécnica da USP formed by undergraduate students dedicated to the development of intelligent autonomous drones. The team works on projects ranging from mechanical development of the structure and integration of electronic components to the implementation of artificial intelligence and computer vision algorithms for missions without human intervention. In addition to participating in national and international competitions, the group also promotes internal training, partnerships with companies, and technology and engineering outreach activities for students and educational institutions. The team was founded in 2017 and, according to the institutional pages consulted, brings together around 70 students.
Poli Junior
Poli Júnior is the junior enterprise of the Escola Politécnica da USP, formed by engineering students and focused on developing real projects in consulting, technology, data, innovation, and engineering. Founded in 1989, the organization presents itself as Brazil’s first junior engineering enterprise and operates by connecting academic education to professional practice, with projects for companies and institutions in areas such as Civil Construction and Architecture, Technology and Software Development, Business Management and Consulting, Data Analysis and AI, as well as Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Poli Junior can be seen as an opportunity for students to experience business immersion and carry out real projects as early as their first years of undergraduate studies.
