About The Challenge

The Make the World a Better Place Design Challenge, sponsored by Embedded Computing Design, Renesas Electronics Corporation, and IAR Systems

This challenge consists of three phases:

PHASE ONE – May 30, 2018 to August 1, 2018

The first phase asks members of the electronics engineering community to submit a description of their proposed solution. This must include a detailed bill of materials (BOM), explanation of the solution’s positive impact, technical and economic viability, product differentiation, and completeness. Written submissions are advised, but can consist of or include supplementary images, videos, schematic drawings, code examples, or any applicable form of multimedia to help make a case for your proof of concept. All submitted designs are required to make use of the RZ/A1LU Development Kit from Renesas Electronics, the RZ/A Software Development Kit (SDK), ‌IAR’s Embedded Workbench for ARM, and the FreeRTOS operating system. From the written proposals, up to 10 finalists will be selected by delegates from Embedded Computing Design, Renesas Electronics, and IAR Systems based on their proposed solution’s potential impact, technical and economic feasibility, differentiation from other current offerings, and the completeness of the solution (See the “Design Challenge Rules” section for detailed information on judging criteria and scoring rubric).

PHASE TWO – August 7, 2018 to October 30, 2018

The RZ/A1-LU Development Kit and associated software licenses will be delivered to the 10 selected finalists, free of charge, to create a proof of concept (PoC). Submitters must cover the expense of any other components or software required for project completion on their own. Finalists will then be provided approximately eight weeks to build a functional prototype of the proposed product, and submit a video showcasing the system in operation along with any written or audio explanation that’s needed.

PHASE THREE – October 30, 2018 to November 8, 2018

Three winners will be selected from the 10 potential finalists by a combination of delegates from Embedded Computing Design, Renesas Electronics America, IAR Systems, and community votes (weighted at 25 percent each). The following prizes will be awarded:

First Prize:
  • $6,000 USD
  • Product featured at the electronica trade fair, November 13-16, 2018, in the Renesas booth
  • Product featured on the Embedded Computing Design website (www.embedded-computing.com)
Second Prize:
  • $3,000 USD
  • Product featured at the electronica trade fair, November 13-16, 2018, in the Renesas booth
  • Product featured on the Embedded Computing Design website (www.embedded-computing.com)
Third Prize: 
  • $1,500 USD
  • Product featured at the electronica trade fair, November 13-16, 2018, in the Renesas booth
  • Product featured on the Embedded Computing Design website (www.embedded-computing.com)

Submit your idea to Make the World a Better Place today or Contact Us for more information.