Budding scientists welcome at Internet of Things race

Cook University teams will be in a race with a difference this weekend, spotlighting the emerging ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT)  technology as they compete to monitor differing habitats.

The Sprint Sensor challenge will see four teams each assigned a different habitat – wetlands, woodland, a suburban grassed backyard, and a coastal dune.

Director of the eResearch Centre at JCU, Professor Ian Atkinson, believes the day will be a great opportunity for students from local schools and universities to work together.

“They will be challenged and deliver a tangible outcome in just one busy day.  Anyone who participates in sprint events finds them a great learning experience and really fulfilling.”

The objective of a ‘sprint day’ is rapid collaboration to design, build and implement a complete engineering product.

Competitors will construct and deploy sensors in all four habitats, with the results graphically displayed on a website accessible to the public.

Teams will write the software, and design, construct and install the system in the field. The team with the best overall product wins.

There will be approximately 30 students from JCU competing, including ten visiting students from Rowan University in the United States.

JCU engineering lecturer Bronson Philippa said anyone with an interest in using electronics for environmental monitoring is welcome to attend.

“People can come along to learn about sensor networks, talk to our students, and even get behind a soldering iron to help out,” he said.

The joint JCU-Townsville City Council collaboration will take place on Saturday May 23, 9am to 4pm, at the Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre in Townsville (located near the Rowes Bay Golf Club).

JCU and Townsville City Council staff will be on-hand to help educate the public on the Internet of Things as well as describe the teams’ activities as they evolve.

Professor Paul Dirks, Dean of the College of Science, Technology and Engineering said JCU staff are excited to help the community explore the importance of the emerging technologies.

“They will offer students a new range of job opportunities in the future and JCU is well placed to supply the growing need for IoT specialists,” he said.

Contact: Bronson Philippa
P: (07) 4781 4349
E: Bronson.philippa@jcu.edu.au

Link to images and videos: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzG6wrqHW4SyfjZnOXl1QW5mbENkeU56VWV5RTY2ZkVCczQ3U0U2WmZTb3FwenZQT1VMWHc&authuser=0