Design contest has home automation theme

A monthly design competition open to makers and engineers of all backgrounds and skill levels, Project14 was developed to promote shared learning and co-operation among members of the element14 Community.

Participants are asked to document their progress through a series of blogs, with the best executed projects in with a chance of winning a $100 shopping cart for use at Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America or element14 in Asia Pacific.

All Project14 challenges are based on suggestions from element14 community members, with each month’s theme selected by a public poll. The home automation challenge was suggested by community member Cristina Harrison, a developer from Dallas, USA.

She was partially inspired by the popular sci-fi series Eureka, which featured an artificially intelligent home called S.A.R.A.H. (Self Actuated Residential Automated Habitat).

Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media for the element14 Community and Premier Farnell, said: “Project14 is an opportunity for makers and engineers to build confidence, share their talents and showcase their technical skills and creativity, no matter how much prior experience they may have.”

“By opening our monthly competitions to as broad an audience as possible, Project14 is enabling novices, experts and everyone in between to learn from each other and share the journey of turning an idea into a fully realised engineering project, without the need to invest a large amount of time or money.”

“The theme of Home Automation reflects a global rise in interest in smart domestic devices and connected living. I’m excited to see what our members come up with, and to welcome new creative voices into our community through this project.”

To enter the Project14 Home Automation Design Contest, participants simply need to register an account at the element14 Community and submit a blog entry detailing their idea and how they plan to develop it.