BENGALURU: The IT capital seems to be the most favoured destination in the world for conducting hackathons, according to Dr Christian Koitzsch, head of Engineering Automotive Electronics at Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI).
“It’s just unbelievable the kind of interest that is generated if you conduct such an event in this city, about 800 applications in four hours. I know many cities and engineering centres across the globe, but such talent and dedication is hard to find,” he said.
The Bosch hackathon which saw exciting prototypes of the Bosch Sensortec integrated environmental units, saw 22 teams make 22 units with 36 hours of non-stop effort where one team churned out the winning concept.
A total of 760 applications were received and 103 were shortlisted to participate. There are still 29 prototypes that can be considered for further development.Shivakumar, who owns a start-up called Fueon, had the winning idea of the Smart Industrial helmet. His and his team’s concern about industrial safety made them come up with an idea where people would not need to make an effort to follow any safety instructions, they would follow them automatically.
The helmet was made as a prototype of Bosch’s integrated sensors. It can sense temperature, pressure, altitude, radiation and change its colour to warn the wearer about the danger that lies ahead. The device has been made keeping in mind factory workers, miners, labourers and construction workers. The runners-up were a team of four from Amrita University in Coimbatore who are into their second year in engineering, for inventing the Smart Cold Storage. As perishables like fruits and vegetables rot due to lack of proper storage facilities and temperature control. They want to pitch their idea to transporters, retailers like Grofers and BigBasket.
Asked whether these technological solutions would finally translate into best-selling products, Walter Sanchez, Group Manager, Software Projects, Bosch Sensortec, RBEI, said, “We are not taking the call here and now, but all these innovations have potential. We are thinking more and more in terms of collaboration and partnerships and are proud to be an innovation platform.”