"IoT on Wheels" design challenge for engineers

19th July 2017

Mick Elliott

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A new Design Challenge for designers and engineers called ‘IoT on Wheels’ has been launched by element14. Sponsored by STMicroelectronics, element14 is looking for 10 community members to demonstrate the power of IoT-connected transport solutions by creating a prototype that shows how current technologies can make today’s vehicles safer, smarter and more efficient.

IoT is playing a major role in making transportation more efficient and helping us get from place to place more quickly, by making connected cars a reality.

By 2020, it is estimated that over 381 million connected cars will be on the road, up from 36 million in 2016 (BI Intelligence).

Many will already be familiar with the benefits that a connected vehicle can bring – from improving your travel experience by providing access to music streaming whilst driving, to reducing car insurance bills by monitoring driver behaviour and allowing insurers to assess risk and pricing of premiums more accurately.

This new Design Challenge from element14 is looking for inspirational prototypes that might change the way we travel, improve our commute or make us safer when we are on the road – and the challenge extends to all forms of transport – whether that is four wheels or even one!

Experienced hardware modder, Ben Heck will be participating in the challenge on The Ben Heck show – providing inspiration for the challengers and others wishing to participate.

element14 will accept applications for the ‘IoT on Wheels’ challenge from now until 14 August 2017.

Ten official challengers will be announced on 28 August who will receive a complimentary kit containing the STM32 Nucleo MCU development board along with a sensor expansion board, Bluetooth LE expansion board, WiFi expansion board, all from ST Microelectronics. Each of the 10 challengers will provide weekly updates on their progress through blog posts, photos and videos via the element14 Community.

Challengers will have until 13 November 2017 to submit their projects.

Entries will be judged on originality, innovation and technical merit by a panel of judges including experts from ST Microelectronics, Loughborough University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electronic, and Manufacturing Engineering and element14 top member judge, Rachael Peterson.

The winners will be announced in December 2017.

The grand prize winner will receive a bundle of products worth over $1700 including a Segway MiniPRO, Oculus Rift and Touch VR Headset and Duratool Crimp Kit. The Second Prize Bundle is worth over $1000 containing a Pioneer GPS Cycle Computer Bundle, GoPro Hero 5 Black Action Camera and Soldering Iron, hot knife & Heat Tool Kit. The Third Prize Bundle worth over $800 containing a Traxxas Slash Radio Controlled Car pro, QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones and a Tenma Programmable Bench Power Supply.

All Challengers who submit a completed project will receive a Duratool Electronic Tool Kit, Duratool Heat Gun and a Tenma Handheld Digital Multimeter.