Arduino has today launched a global contest that challenges users of its open-source electronics platform to create innovative products that help advance the development of Industry 4.0 automation and robotics applications. The contest is being run in partnership with electronics and automation distributor Distrelec, and is hosted at the Arduino Project Hub.

Contestants are required to tap into the extensive range of boards, libraries and online platform available within the Arduino ecosystem. Project ideas for use in industrial automation could target remote control, energy management or predictive maintenance, for example, using the Arduino Create Cloud platform to set up, control and connect Arduino-, Intel®- and Arm®-based devices. Robotics projects could include designs for surveillance drones, robotic arms, rovers, or self-drive transportation, using boards such as the Arduino MKR1000 or Arduino Due to read sensors and control motors and actuators for prototyping advanced robotics systems.

Prizes will be awarded based on originality, quality, creativity and the social impact of project entries. During the first ‘ideas’ phase of the contest, which involves concept creation, bill of materials, schematics and code, there will be a series of micro contests, with weekly prizes handed out from supporting companies RND Group and Seeed Studio. Contestants selected to proceed to the second ‘build’ phase will each be awarded a Distrelec voucher to the value of 75 Euro to spend on Distrelec online store. ( https://www.distrelec.com/global/ ) Phase 2 contestants will compete to execute their concepts and present a working solution. The final winning entries will receive:

1st place: Trip to Rome Maker Faire on October 12, 2018, plus a Keithley Tabletop Multimeter
2nd place: Weller Soldering Station and accessories
3rd -10th place: Seeed Studio Grove Starter Kit

Arduino co-founder Massimo Banzi said: “Innovation is key to the development of industrial automation, data exchange and robotics in today’s manufacturing technologies. By setting this challenge to Arduino users our aim is to engage our community to take advantage of the Arduino ecosystem to bring faster, cheaper and more effective solutions to Industry 4.0.”

‘Developing the next generation of industry IoT solutions – what could be more important for our future? Innovation allowing greater automation is transforming how we live our lives.’ – said Neil Harrison, Distrelec CEO – At Distrelec the products we supply go into everything from automated production lines to sophisticated robotics – applications driving human progress. One way we can help is to identify and nurture aspiring engineers and offer them the tools they need. That’s why we’re joining Arduino in the search for tomorrow’s IoT solutions.

For more information, and to register for the Arduino/Distrelec automation and robotics contest, go to the Arduino Project Hub. The deadline for ideas and concepts is June 29, 2018; the deadline to submit full projects is September 16, 2018. The final winners will be announced on October 1, 2018.