The challenge is open to all engineers and students, ages 18 and up, with sufficient engineering capability to develop a working prototype that uses low power wireless technology to tackle one (or more) of the UN’s sustainable development goals. There are 17 goals in the UN’s list targeting wide goals such as ending hunger and poverty and improving education but this competition is focused on four specific goals: affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate action and life on land.
Each project should incorporate the Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 DK low-power hardware platform.
The competition is open until 12 October 2023.
The first 100 entries will receive a free Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 development kit for low power cellular loT development. The top prize winner will receive up to $20,000, a one year subscription to nRF cloud services for up to 500 devices, Soracom wireless connectivity service for each device and Crowd Supply support of open hardware and hackables to get the winning design to market.
“Mouser is excited to partner with Nordic on this initiative. Our company has a legacy of empowering innovation and creativity in engineers, makers and students,” said Kevin Hess, senior vice president of marketing at Mouser Electronics. “We support the entire product development process, through supplying individual components and kits, as well as providing design tools, services and resources.”
“The winning design will be an innovative product that is energy-efficient, helps fight climate change, protects ecosystems, or is beneficial to society,” said Geir Langeland, executive vice president, sales and marketing at Nordic Semiconductor.
Entries will be judged based on the technical and commercial feasibility of the solution, the level of innovation shown and the potential impact on the selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (Goals 7, 11, 13 and 15).
Nordic Semiconductor is also offering technical support and education for entrants, including Nordic Developer Academy, an online learning platform. There is also one-on-one technical support through Nordic DevZone.
Anyone interested in entering can see eligibility and judging criteria and other terms and conditions here.
