STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and the world’s top MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) manufacturer[1], today launched the 2012 iNEMO Design Contest.
The contest invites final-year engineering students from the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to develop innovative applications using ST’s award-winning[2] iNEMO® smart multi-sensor technology.
ST's iNEMO is a unique evaluation and development tool that offers up to 10 degrees of freedom, using combinations of 3-axis linear acceleration, 3-axis angular rate and 3-axis motion sensing through a magnetic field, together with barometric/altitude readings, managed by an STM32 32-bit microcontroller. MEMS sensing technology is one of the fastest growing segments of the semiconductor industry and has become ubiquitous in cars, smartphones, gaming devices and many IT products. The integration of multiple sensors with processing capabilities, dedicated sensor-fusion and application software and wireless connectivity in a single platform enables leaps in functionality and performance in a wide variety of applications, including Gaming, Human Machine Interface, Robotics, Portable Navigation Devices, and Patient Monitoring.
“Sensing technology has enabled your smartphone to know your movements and is the technology responsible for the physical excitement of motion-based video games,” said Patrick Boulaud, STMicroelectronics Regional Vice President, Analog, MEMS and Sensor, Greater China and South Asia Region. “Sensors have the potential to augment many aspects of human and technology interaction, particularly in quality-of-life enhancement. We are challenging these students to think out-of-the-box and create new applications in lifestyle, recreation, healthcare and wellness, using the most advanced sensor technology available today.”
“Advanced sensor technologies are important in enhancing the apps we have in all our personal devices,” said Prof Loh Ai Poh, Deputy Head of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore. “This contest is a great opportunity for our students to use leading-edge sensors to design creative apps that improve our interaction with the physical world.”
“At NTU, we want our students to be able to apply their scientific knowledge and engineering expertise to design and build innovative products for real-world applications,” said Prof. Cheng Tee Hiang, the Acting Chair of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. “Students using ST’s award-winning iNEMO smart multi-sensor technology in their projects will now have the opportunity to pit their skills against other talented teams. Great innovations are usually developed in a competitive environment, so we see this contest as a good platform to raise the bar for our students in a fun but challenging way.”
The iNEMO Design Contest will run in parallel to the final-year project of participating students. ST will sponsor the iNEMO boards, documentation, software drivers, and technical support, as well as cover 3rd-party costs for the projects. The students will submit their projects to the contest for judging in May 2013. The iNEMO Design Contest offers a top prize of SGD10,000 to the winning team, evaluated on functionality, practicality, implementation, creativity, presentation and final demonstration.
As a one-stop MEMS supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of micro-machined accelerometers, gyroscopes, digital compasses, pressure sensors, iNEMO inertial modules and microphones, ST announced its shipment of two billion MEMS sensors in February 2012. ST is the world’s top MEMS manufacturer and the largest supplier of MEMS for consumer and portable applications, according to IHS iSuppli.
[1] IHS iSuppli: MEMS Competitive Analysis 2012
[2] iNEMO has received a Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award and a Computerworld Honors recognition