Maizey & the Future of Learning: On-Demand AI for U-M’s Engineering Teams

What happens when students need knowledge faster than a lecture can deliver it? 

At Michigan Engineering, students are turning to a custom-built version of Maizey – powered by U-M’s campus-wide AI platform but tailored specifically for engineering student teams. Trained on curated technical content like safety protocols, SAE textbooks, and team documentation, this tool delivers real-time, validated answers to help students solve problems on the fly. 

“It’s like office hours on steroids,” says Professor of Practice Harvey Bell, who co-leads the initiative and brings 39 years of GM experience to the table.

The innovation is part of a broader ecosystem called the Engineering Student Teams Resource Hub (ESTRH) – a digital platform built by students, for students. With Maizey as its AI interface, the hub captures institutional knowledge that might otherwise be lost with each graduating cohort. That includes everything from logistics and onboarding to simulations, safety documentation, and even leadership succession.

Why does this matter?

Because Michigan’s student teams aren’t just building solar cars or autonomous rovers – they’re building real engineers. Participation has exploded: MRover grew from 10 to 120 students in five years. Supermileage quadrupled. Solar Car and M-Racing now win national and international competitions.

Students in these programs develop technical skills, manage 5- to 7-figure budgets, negotiate with sponsors, and even handle branding and outreach. They’re not just solving engineering problems – they’re solving communication, collaboration, and leadership challenges. The classroom isn’t going away, but for many students, these teams have become the classroom they choose.

Maizey fills a critical gap. According to student feedback and pilot data, team members often need knowledge before they’ve had the relevant coursework. They struggle to find credible, up-to-date resources. And onboarding new members post-COVID has been especially difficult.

The project also aligns with the Electric Vehicle Center’s mission to expand Michigan’s EV workforce pipeline. Both Professor Harvey Bell and developer Skylar Lennon are affiliated with the EVC, where they contribute to education initiatives focused on preparing students for real-world engineering and mobility careers. By supporting hands-on learning with cutting-edge AI tools, Maizey offers a glimpse into how tomorrow’s EV talent is being trained today.

“We needed to make learning faster, more productive, and more accessible,” says Skylar Lennon, one of Maizey’s lead developers and a research intern with the EV Center.

Using AI to foster human connections, and establish mentorship relationships between student teams and professors, Maizey ensures that experiential learning can be on-demand, ethical, and purpose-driven. The project also supports the EV Center’s broader mission to prepare a future-ready, industry-connected EV workforce.

Try It. Shape It. Share It.

Maizey is still evolving – and you can help shape its future.

✅ Hear what CoE students are saying about the new Maizey here
✅ Access the Canvas site here
✅ Faculty willing to contribute course materials, offer feedback, or sign up to be a resource for teams can express interest here

Whether you’re a student seeking just-in-time answers or a faculty member ready to share your expertise, this is your chance to be part of the next leap in engineering education.