Synopsis on Top 6 Imagine Cup Teams

Team Ahurei - from AUT have implemented a new mobile phone-based notification system to reduce the destruction of forest/trees due to fires. Using sensors remotely deployed around a given area, signals based on changes in temperature are sent to a central software program. The program processes the signal and sends an ‘early detection warning’ message to the appropriate organisations via both mobile and software channels.
Team Biometritec - from the University of Auckland created an embedded mobile phone technology which tracks, connects, and reunites families and communities separated by catastrophes. The concept design gathers personal information of individuals separated by disasters through a mobile device. The information is then transferred to a central core server, which manipulates the data and checks if there are any resemblances with other individuals. This information is then sent back to the operator informing them of any matches.
Team Bolty - from Victoria University wrote software which utilises social engineering to encourage power savings in the office and reduce carbon footprints. The prototype consists of a web application that measures the power consumed by a individuals computer. This is stored on a central database with the information being updated regularly; this information is then compared to other departments within a given organisation competing for the least amount of power consumed. Creating an environment of social competition which in turn leads to power savings.
Team Pigeongrape - from the University of Auckland developed a simulated game environment which teaches educational concepts like physics for kids in a fun and engaging way. The prototype has been created in an effort to encourage better education using technology. Many software education tools have been found to be uninteresting and cumbersome to use. Pigeongrape have created an interactive game to help both teachers and high school students get excited about learning.
Team Think - from Lincoln University aimed to improve education by building a tablet and simple PC interface. Team Think have identified that learning reading and writing requires that you practice through verbal communication and hand gestures. To this end, they have devised a program that can be used on tablets, that provides both hand written recognition and audio output, teaching users how to read and write. They hope to take this prototype to developing countries that have computers but aren’t being used due to literacy issues.
Team The Wild Bunch - from the University of Canterbury addressed food production by using aerial photography to help farmers more efficiently plant and harvest their crops. Combining low-cost model helicopters and mobile phones, their solution aims to build a buffer in the world’s food supply. Team Wild Bunch see this having an impact on developing countries using their prototype to identify areas of land ideal for farming.