In keeping with the motto ‘IoT – Invented for life’, Bosch has organised the online innovation competition Bosch Sensortec IoT Innovation Challenge together with the GMM – VDE/VDI Society for Microelectronics, Microsystems and Precision Engineering. The competition was part of the MikroSystemTechnik Kongress 2021, one of the largest conferences in the field of microelectronics and microsystems technology.
A central goal was to promote young academics in the field of microsystems technology by inspiring them to take part in exciting development projects and giving them the opportunity to network with research and industry professionals.
The Bosch Sensortec IoT Innovation Challenge took place from the 15th of May to the 30th of September. 25 student teams were challenged to develop an innovative IoT solution, using the latest sensors and development tools from Bosch Sensortec. The predefined focus areas for the innovation projects were consumer electronics, air quality, smart building/home applications, as well as fitness and well-being.
The student teams received a starter package with the brand-new and easy-to-use Arduino Nicla Sense ME development board and the Adafruit-compatible development kit for the digital gas sensor BME688 with artificial intelligence. Bosch Sensortec also supported the students with comprehensive coaching, workshops, and technical support from the Bosch Sensortec Community.
The ten best student teams presented their solutions in a pitch presentation and an exhibition at the MikroSystemTechnik Kongress 2021. An independent jury of experts from research and industry decided on the three winning teams, which received prize money of up to 1,500 euros.
The third place of the Bosch Sensortec IoT Innovation Challenge went to the Team Smart-Chi, which was honored with a prize of 500 euros. The three students from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology developed a smart lid to monitor the fermentation process of kimchi using the environmental sensor BME688. Second place went to the Team Second Nose, which consists of two students from the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg.
The team also used the BME688 sensor to realise their idea of a smart bin that measures the amount of waste, air quality and determines the right time to dispose of waste and were rewarded with a prize money of 1,000 euros. The winners of the Challenge were two students from the University of Potsdam. The Team Avocato used the BME688 sensor to develop a solution for determining the degree of ripeness of avocados. The idea was awarded a prize of 1,500 euros.
The Bosch Sensortec IoT Innovation Challenge contributed to inspiring young academics and specialists for the semiconductor industry of tomorrow and to gaining valuable impulses from university research through collaboration. In addition to promoting young professionals, the MikroSystemTechnik Kongress was the platform for a lively exchange between leading industrial companies and research institutes, established universities and colleges, and with representatives of the participating federal and state ministries on future-oriented key technologies in microelectronics and microsystems engineering.
