Crossbow offers $14,000 in prizes for wireless mesh networking applications

Crossbow Technology is offering five cash prizes totaling $14,000 to any software developer that can demonstrate a wireless sensor network application that positively impacts society.

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Crossbow Technology is offering five cash prizes totaling $14,000 to any software developer that can demonstrate a wireless sensor network application that positively impacts society. Contestants can include individuals, teams, a corporate entity, or an educational organization. The company adds that Jan. 2, 2005, is the deadline for applicants to submit entries for its "Crossbow Smart Dust Challenge."

Nine-year-old Crossbow supplies end-to-end, wireless sensor network solutions and manufactures Smart Dust wireless sensors. The firm delivers sensors for applications and industries with stringent performance requirements in harsh environments. Crossbow adds that its wireless mesh networking products can be used to improve agricultural efficiency and growth; monitor and secure industrial plants and buildings; save environmentally sensitive lands; preserve national landmarks; mitigate earthquake and fire damages; and secure and protect national natural resources.

Crossbow says it organized the contest because it wants to see developers' creativity in how they would perfect and extend use of its technology. The company hopes to find the best executable idea for wireless sensor networking that demonstrates how it's used, programmed, deployed, and how it will benefit society. Entrants must use Crossbow's TinyOS platform and at least three of Crossbow's motes.

Five finalists will be selected by Jan. 31, 2005, and will receive a $500 stipend to attend the University of California-Berkeley's TinyOS Technology Exchange in February 2005 to demonstrate their ideas and innovations to a panel of judges from commercial industry leaders, the venture capital community, government officials, and media.

First prize is $10,000; second prize is $2,000; third prize is $1,000; and fourth and fifth prizes are $500 each. Due to the many entries expected, Crossbow will not return entered prototypes, videotapes, or props.

For complete rules and eligibility, click here . For an application, call or e-mail Susan Lee at 408-965-3308 or slee@xbow.com .

—Jim Montague, news editor, Control Engineering, jmontague@reedbusiness.com