HackHers: Empowering Women and Gender Diverse People in Tech Through Hardware Innovation

HackHers is a mini-hackathon in Ottawa, creating an inclusive space for Women, and Gender Diverse People in Technology. It is a platform nurturing collaboration, technical prowess, and networking. The event aims to inspire, educate, and empower participants in hardware-based innovation.

Requirements

It is highly recommended that you read the complete story for context behind each challenge, for better results! The story can be found here.

 

Challenge 1 - Life Analyzer (Focus: Hardware)

Your first mission is to help Zen make sure they are doing okay, physically and mentally, on this new planet. Zen’s quick little invention could only do so much in that regard. 

Success Criteria
  • The project can measure basic health and vital signs
  • Even if the project is not entirely implementable with the available resources, the focus is more on hardware design than software design, with a working prototype that fits the theme
  • The project is adaptable given the scenario
  • The project has multiple implemented and theoretical components that integrate well
  • The project is user-friendly

 

Challenge 2 - Movement Tracker (Focus: Hardware)

Your goal is to develop a small, potentially wearable health monitoring device, which could be incorporated into everyday items like glasses or jewellery. This could be similar to devices like smart watches or glasses. This device should be able to track relevant user health metrics. Examples of metrics include heart rate, body temperature, EMG data, step counter, and blood oxygen level.

Success Criteria

  • The project can measure movement, along with basic health and vital signs

  • Even if the project is not entirely implementable with the available resources, the focus is more on hardware design than software design, with a working prototype that fits the theme

  • The project is adaptable given the scenario

  • The project has multiple implemented and theoretical components that integrate well

  • The project is user-friendly

 

Challenge 3 - Smart Space Dashboard (Focus: Software)

Your task is to come up with a software that emulates the Zen’s new advanced dashboard, along with a plan on the hardware that goes along with the dashboard to support better monitoring features. 

Success Criteria

  • The project resembles a dashboard combining data from various sources (does not have to be real data) 

  • The project focuses on software, with some optional hardware components, and a design that goes past the implementation, explaining how the software would integrate with hardware. 

  • The project is adaptable given the scenario

  • The project is user-friendly

 

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$600 in prizes
Life Analyzer (Focus: Hardware)
1 winner

Movement Tracker (Focus: Hardware)
1 winner

Smart Space Dashboard (Focus: Software)
1 winner

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Rachel Jamer

Rachel Jamer
Ciena

Safaa Bedawi

Safaa Bedawi
Professor - Carleton University

Luz Osorio

Luz Osorio
Ciena

Mackenzie Erbach

Mackenzie Erbach
CSE

Sebastien R. Levesque

Sebastien R. Levesque
CSE

Judging Criteria

  • Challenge 1 - Vital Signs Monitoring
  • Challenge 1 - Adaptability
  • Challenge 1 - Innovation
  • Challenge 1 - User Friendly
  • Challenge 1 -Integration with other components
  • Challenge 2 - Wearable Design
  • Challenge 2 - Tracking Accuracy
  • Challenge 2 - Versatility
  • Challenge 2 - Innovation
  • Challenge 2 - User friendly
  • Challenge 3 - Dashboard Functionality
  • Challenge 3 - User Interface
  • Challenge 3 - Data Visualization
  • Challenge 3 - Integration with Hardware
  • Challenge 3 - Innovation

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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