A miniature IoT-enabled cottage was named the winner in the “Enchanted Objects” design competition, organised by the element14 Community. As part of the challenge, 15 individuals from around the world competed to give new life to everyday objects by “enchanting” them with the power of the Internet of Things.
The competition is a part of the Community’s “Engineering a Connected World” initiative, designed to drive innovation by connecting engineers to powerful new ideas, the latest technologies and to each other, to make the ordinary, extraordinary.
The winning design, created by element14 member Andy Clark of the United Kingdom, transforms a miniature cottage into a state-of-the-art smart house, complete with real-time weather reports, colour-changing LED lights and a thermometer with temperature display. Clark will take home the top prize ? a trip to Maker Faire in New York on 26th-27th September 2015.
“element14 congratulates Andy and all of the challengers who took part in the Enchanted Objects design competition,” said Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community, element14. “All of the finalists’ projects are great representations of the power of the IoT and how we can give new meaning to ordinary objects.”
Competitors were judged on their ability to accurately capture information, the level of convenience for non-technical users, cost-effectiveness and durability. Bonus points were given to those projects demonstrating the appropriate data security measures were taken into consideration.
To aid in their designs, participants received the Atmel SAMA5D4 Xplained Ultra Kit from global electronics distributor element14.
Other proposed projects included an enchanted clock from Canada, enchanted bedside lamp from Sri Lanka, enchanted shoes from the U.S. and enchanted windows from India.
To view content from all 15 Enchanted Objects challengers or to learn more about the award-winning, 350,000-member element14 Community of design engineers and technology enthusiasts, visit www.element14.com/enchantedobjects.
