Hardwarethon
| Coordinating Organisation | IMAGINE XYZ, Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Organisers/Type of Organisation | Research and technology development business |
| Initiative Type | Digital design and prototype, FabLab, 3-D printing, robotics, Internet of Things, Big Data, Machine to Machine, start-ups |
| Field of Science Involved | Science and technology (Computing, Electronics, Mechatronics, Robotics, Design, etc.) |
| Target Audience(s) | Designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, hardware and software enthusiasts and different professional profiles, etc. |
| Reach | National |
Main Objectives
To develop new technological ideas, projects and prototypes able to generate a culture of innovation.
Description of work
Hardwarethon is a contest but more importantly a collaborative inventor’s space. It was initiated in 2014 by six Costa Rican engineers who wanted to empower people to create start-ups utilising all the maker trends and, in this way, help promote social and economic development in their countries.
Whether individually or in a team, Hardwarethon consists of a 48-hour challenge where people from different careers develop projects and transform their ideas into real and valuable products and/or services. They are looking for real solutions through a technology focus on Internet of Things (IoT). However, the process starts one month before the contest. In this month, Imagine prepares the ‘Hardwarethoners’ in a number of different topics, such as: Business Models, IoT and Rapid Prototyping. The four-day weekend is used to complete their project.
At the end of the contest, all the participants have the opportunity to present their projects to a commission of experts and the best ideas are awarded. All teams interested in the continuation of their projects can eventually receive opportunities to be followed by professionals and start a new business.
Results
In 2016, 18 teams (with 2 - 5 persons each) participated in the event, which was held at Museo de los Niños in San José, Costa Rica.
The winning projects were:
- 1st place. ColorCode Interpreter. IoT spectacles that recognize objects through color code for blind people. Team Members: Dayana Mendéz, Jonathan Chaverri, Edwin Vásquez, Juan Sánchez and Cristian Navarro.
- 2nd place. Amalgama. An IoT shirt for monitoring vital signals to prevent sleep apnea problems. Team Members: Genuar Núñez, Eduardo Castro, Jeiner Alvarado, John Umaña, Daniela Feoli.
- 3rd place. The grid. An IoT prototype for a smart traffic signal. Team Members. Carlos Jenkins and Carolina Aguilar. Website: https://kuralabs.io/
In 2017, Hardwarethon was held at Museo de los Niños in San José, Costa Rica.
The winning projects were:
- 1st place. Careable: a wearable that works with AI as an assistant for elderly people. User-friendly and controlled by voice. Team members: Eduardo Oviedo Blanco, Daniela Cordero Oviedo, Mariela Gamboa Oviedo and Pablo Douglas Castañeda.
- 2nd place. B+. An automatic control device that helps water distribution companies with the chlorination and purification of water sources. Team Members: Abraham Arias Chinchilla, Anthony Fernández, Graciela Camacho, Iza Camacho, Álvaro Dehais Córdoba.
- 3rd place. Roadlife. A device attached to the bicycle to prevent accidents. Team Members: David Marin Soto, Silvia Alpizar Rivera, Noel Pérez Caceres.
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Principal Contact | Hugo Sanchez, Mechatronics Captain |
| Address | San José, Costa Rica |
| Hugo Sanchez | |
| Website | www.hardwarethon.com |
| Social Media |
Facebook Twitter - @Hardwarethon YouTube Hardwarethon 2017 (YouTube) Google+ |