Irvine, CA, Sept. 12, 2006 -- Following on the success of last year''s contest, Lantronix continues to lead device networking innovation by announcing its second annual Wireless Design Contest. With more categories and larger cash prizes, this contest challenges engineers worldwide to use their imaginations to wirelessly network-enable a machine or device using Lantronix WiPort™, an embedded 802.11 b/g wireless Device Server™.
To qualify for nearly $20,000 in prizes, contestants must register their product on the Lantronix website and submit a working prototype board design complete with a documented summary of the project and its operation. All entries must be received on or before March 1, 2007 and winners will be announced at the Embedded Systems Conference (April 3-7, 2007) in San Jose, CA. First place will receive $6,000; second place, $4,000; and third place, $2,000. Additional awards will be given for the best entry from a student or educational institute, one using the lowest power usage and one utilizing 802.11 b/g and Ethernet-swappable combination.
Contest entries will be judged on technical merit, originality, business value, cost-effectiveness, and design optimization. Full list of contest rules and online entry form are available here.
"Last year''s competition was hard fought with a variety of compelling wireless applications," said Chris Preston, senior vice president of marketing for Lantronix. "We received several hundred entries that ranged from a pool monitoring system to a computer-enabled Roomba® vacuum cleaner. In the end, the top prize went to Keith Emery with his eLAWN™ programmable sprinkler controller, which automatically controls the watering schedule based on environmental conditions from virtually any computer anywhere in the world -- a perfect tool for the busy traveler."
Find a list of last year''s contest winners and photos of some of last year''s concepts here.