Electronics design contest promotes human assistance technologies
1 min read
STMicroelectronics has announced an electronic design contest which aims to promote the development of technologies for human assistance applications.
The OpenWorld contest is set up by the Autonomie project, a collaborative industry research consortium funded by the European Union, via the European Funding for Regional Development (FEDER). It was established for the development of technologies that facilitate access to public spaces and services for the handicapped.
$20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to participants with the most innovative and useful electronic applications designed to assist people, with any variety of disabilities or medical conditions, to access public places or services and help them participate actively in daily life.
STMicroelectronics says it has engaged in the Autonomie project to encourage the application of microelectronics technologies and to popularise them in integrated electronics solutions that are both affordable and adapted to the needs of the handicapped. The company has adapted a tool platform for the challenge, such as its EvoPrimer for STM32, a portable, battery operated demonstrator and development platform featuring STM32 ARM Cortex-M3 based microcontrollers.
The contest is organised into two main phases: 'Concept Proposal' and 'Development'. The submission of concept proposals is available from March 15, 2011 and entrants can register here to submit a concept. Entries will be judged by a panel consisting of the Autonomie consortium and winners of the Concept Phase will be awarded an EvoPrimer for the STM32 mcu, plus software support tools. Closing date for entries is December 2011.
