UIST 2012 Student Innovation Contest is now over...
Thank you to everybody who participated this year in the Student Innovation Contest! A full collection of photos can be found here. The contest winners are announced below. We were very impressed with the results this year and hope you had fun. See you next year!
Contest Announcement
Get your thinking caps on and
ideas flowing for the fourth annual UIST Student
Innovation Contest (SIC). The goal of the contest
is to innovate new interactions on
state-of-the-art hardware. We give you the hardware,
and you show us what you can do. Contestants will demo their
creations at the October 8th demo reception. The
winners will be announced the following day. Continue reading
below to learn more about the contest rules and awards.
The hardware for this year is a pressure-sensitive, multitouch touchpad from Synaptics.
This year, our hardware partner is Synaptics -
an industry leader in human interface design. Synaptics has
provided us with a revolutionary input device, code named "Jedeye".
The pre-production prototype features high resolution, independent
tracking of pressure and location for up to 5 fingers.
Check out the demos in the announcement
video to see what's possible with Jedeye. In addition to supplying you the
hardware gratis, Synaptics is providing exclusive access
to a pre-release of the Jedeye API and code samples. You'll have
a chance to hack together some cool demos before everyone else
gets their hands on the device. You even get to keep Jedeye
after you're done!
WINNERS
1st Creativity - Team Dosukoi [video]
Yuta Nakagawa, Kwansei Gakuin University
Miki Suzuki, Kwansei Gakuin University
Shota Tanaka, Kwansei Gakuin University
Kohta Tsukamoto, Kwansei Gakuin University
2nd Creativity [tie] - Team Chimerical [video]
Elwin Lee, Carnegie Mellon University
Karthik Krishnamurthy, Carnegie Mellon University
Jason Hsu, Carnegie Mellon University
2nd Creativity [tie] - Team The Widget [video][demo+source]
Sujun Kim, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Sujin Yu, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Jeongmin Son, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
1st Most Useful - Team PowerMice [video]
Geza Kovacs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Aaron Epstein, Massachusetts Institute of Technologylege
Joy Chen, Massachusetts Institute of Technologylege
2nd Most Useful - Team Go Bananas [video]
Tien-Yun (Sky) Huang, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Chun-Chieh (Michael) Feng, Boston University
Jaturont (Kid) Jamigranont, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
1st People's Choice - Team Jedeye Masters [video]
Paymahn Moghadasian, University of Manitoba
Xiang Guo, University of Manitoba
Srikanth Kirshnamachari Sridharan, University of Manitoba
Roiy Shpaner, University of Manitoba
2nd People's Choice - Team TteokPad [video]
Seongkook Heo, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Jaehyun Han, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Jiseong Gu, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Hayan Choi, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
DEVICE & SOFTWARE DETAILS
Synaptics Sensor - Code Name: Jedeye
Tracking for up to 5 independent finger locations
Tracking for pressure values of up to 5 fingers
Device sampling rate is approximately 80 to 100 Hz
The device has a wired interface to your PC via USB cable
Jedeye API provided is Windows only
Code samples to get you started are written in C++
Samples are provided as multiple Visual Studio projects
Jedeye SDK contains helpful documentation to build your demos
You are welcome to write your own ports for different languages.
However, we cannot provide support for other operating systems at this time.
You can get access to tools that you might need (e.g., Visual Studio)
through the Microsoft
DreamSpark website.
REGISTRATION
To reserve a place in the
contest and to receive a Synaptics Jedeye for
development, contestants must complete the registration
form below no later than August 24th 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
Remember one of your team members MUST
be registered for the UIST Conference no later than August 26th
at 11:59pm EST to participate in the contest and be eligible for travel grants.
Team Size:
The minimum team size is 1; maximum is 4.
Team Composition:
No two teams can have the exact same members. However, an individual
can be on two teams.
Eligibility Requirement:
You must be a student to participate in the contest. Students of all
levels (high school, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) are encouraged to
participate. International students are welcome.
Registration Requirement:
You must register for the contest and you must register for the conference.
At least one student on your team MUST be registered and present at the
UIST Conference. This is for three reasons: 1) You have to demo your
idea, 2) You have to claim your prize, and 3) UIST is an awesome event.
Demo Ideas:
During the contest voting period, teams will be allowed
to demo one idea. Different demos of the same idea are permitted.
Hardware Provided:
Each team will receive one Jedeye device. The
device is yours to keep after the contest. You must bring the device
for the contest demo, as no additional devices will be provided.
Hardware Modifications:
Teams may not take apart the Jedeye. However, you can use the
Jedeye in conjunction with other sensors, you may position
it in interesting ways, and add things on to the
base structure. Dismantling the Jedeye will
disqualify you.
Additional Equipment:
Teams must bring supporting computers
and hardware to run their demos, including the
Jedeye you received. No equipment
will be handed out at UIST.
Questions:
If you have any questions about the contest rules, please contact
the contest chairs here.
AWARDS
Innovation comes in many forms, so we've decided to award
prizes in the following three categories. The "Most Creative" and "Most Useful" category winners
will be selected by the judges. The third category of "People's Choice"
will be decided by UIST Conference attendees voting for their favorite
projects.
Most Creative
Most Useful
People's Choice
The prizes are made possible through the generous support
and donation from our sponsor Synaptics. Two winners for each of the three
categories will receive the awards below. More importantly, you will have the
respect of conference attendees, your peers, and bragging rights. You'll also
get a spiffy trophy that you can show off to your friends and family.
First place, $1500
Second place, $500
We reserve the right to
change the award structure based on a number of
factors, such as (and not limited to) the number of participating
teams.
TRAVEL GRANT
This year, we have a new addition to the UIST contest
and we will be providing two travel grants to encourage high school
and undergraduate teams to participate and build demos.
2 x $1000 awards
High school and undergraduate teams ONLY
2-minute video with basic prototype and idea
Provide link to video in your team's registration form
Proof of student status after selection
The two travel grants of $1000 each will be provided
to cover travel expenses and registration for two teams. These grants are
to support high school and undergraduate teams ONLY.
To apply for the travel grant, you are asked to provide
a 2-minute video with an explanation of your idea and a basic working prototype
before the contest registration deadline [Aug 24]. The video should clearly demonstrate
your idea and we will evaluate your submission based on the novelty of your idea
and the quality of the prototype you will continue developing. Obviously,
you won't have the hardware to get values for fingers pressed before the contest,
but you can easily simulate this using keyboard keys as replacements.
You should provide a public link to your video in the registration form.
If selected, we will contact your team for documentation of
your student status to confirm the awards. The awards will be disbursed
after the completion of the contest and successful demos at UIST.
CONTACT US
The 2012 UIST Student Innovation Contest
is being organized and co-chaired by:
Gabriel Reyes (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Julia Schwarz (Carnegie Mellon University)
Kayur Patel (University of Washington)
If you have any questions or comments,
please contact the contest chairs:
Special thanks to Patrick Worfolk, Cat Pham, Raymond Chin, Daniel Yang,
and the entire Research & Development team from Synaptics. They helped
with logistics, as well as donated the hardware and software to make
this contest possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if something happens the contest chairs
did not foresee?
A: We reserve the right to change the rules at any
time.
Q: Can I publish a paper on
what I come up with?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I own the intellectual
property (IP)?
A: Yes.
Q: Will I be able to demo my
idea on my own computer?
A: Yes. In fact, it is mandatory, since we will
not provide any equipment at the conference.
Q: Are we allowed to develop our demos in languages
other than C++?
A: You are welcome to write your own ports for different languages
and develop your demos in any language. However, we are unable
to provide any technical support for this.
Q: Is there a way to use the Jedeye on a different
operating system that isn't Windows (i.e., Linux, Mac OS X)?
A: Currently, the Jedeye has only been tested for Windows. We cannot
provide support for other operating systems at this time.
Q: Is the SDK open source? Can we make it open source,
and post it online?
A: The SDK is not open source. Contestants are expected to not share the development
kit or SDK outside of their team. Please do not post the SDK online.
Q: What is the sampling rate of the device?
A: The ForcePad is transmitting at approximately 80 to 100 Hz.
Q: Can other people help me
develop this code?
A: It is permissible to get external help for bugs
and other issues. People external to the team
cannot contribute large pieces of code (or ideas).
Q: Can my adviser help?
A: Ideas can be discussed with advisers, but core
ideas should come from the team members.
Q: Do I get to keep the Jedeye
after the contest?
A: Yes. Synaptics has donated the development kits
for all teams to keep. Enjoy them and put them
to good use!
Q: Can teams receive multiple
Jedeye devices for interactive applications?
A: Unfortunately, no. We can only provide one device per team
and that will also keep the contest fair. You can simulate
the experience of a second device by using keyboard keys or
other touch sensitive devices.
Q: Can I use the Jedeye for
parts?
A: No, doing so will disqualify you. But you can
add other sensors and parts. Also, you can
incorporate the Jedeye into other objects/items.
Q: What happens if I wish to
withdraw from the contest?
A: Teams are welcome to withdraw. Please email the
contest chairs at least a week before the
conference. Keep in mind you might be asked
to return the hardware provided.
Q: How many people can be on a
team?
A: Minimum 1, maximum 4. All must be students.
Q: I am NOT a student, can I
still participate?
A: Unfortunately, no. The contest is limited to
students at all levels (high school, Bachelor's,
Master's, and PhD).
Q: I'm in high school, can I
participate in the contest?
A: All students are welcome. However, you will
have to be old enough and able to travel to the UIST
Conference in Boston.
Q: I'm an international student, can I
participate in the contest?
A: Yes. International students at all levels are encouraged to
participate. You will be responsible for your own travel and
arrangements.
Q: Is it possible to receive
funding for travel and registration?
A: We have limited funds. Everyone is eligible to win the
prize money. The only available funding for travel and registration
is for high school and undergraduate teams through the travel grants.
Your team must meet the stated requirements to be considered for the grants.
Q: I'm a graduate student (MS/PhD), am I
eligible for the travel grants?
A: Unfortunately, no. The travel grants are limited to
high school and undergraduate students only.
Q: How will you stop people from
voting multiple times for "People's Choice"?
A: We encourage you to interact with conference attendees to show
off your projects and ask them to vote for you. Student volunteers will
be monitoring the voting boxes.
Q: What if only a few teams
enter?
A: We reserve the right to change the rules at any
time. If a small number of people were to enter,
we are likely to award only a single (potentially
larger) prize.