FSU students showcase technology-based innovations at DIGITECH 2015

 

Interactive exhibits, performances and demonstrations by Florida State University students were front and center April 1 at the annual DIGITECH exhibition, an open house designed to showcase technology-based student innovations and promote collaboration between disciplines. 

The event was hosted by the Program in Interdisciplinary Computing, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, and held at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center. 

“DIGITECH shows how FSU students from every discipline — from art to zoology and everything in between — are using computers to innovate in their fields,” said Ken Baldauf, director of PIC and coordinator of DIGITECH. 

To conclude the day, Cecily Sommers, author of “Think Like a Futurist,” presented the keynote address before the awards ceremony. 

A panel of judges selected winners in the categories of innovation, expression, contribution and entrepreneurship. Attendees also selected a winner for the Campus Choice trophy by text vote. 

The winners were: 

Innovation Award: AgroSky
Charles Wilson, Senior in International Affairs and Entrepreneurship
James Dilmore, Junior in Accounting
AGROSKY is a social innovative start up with a focus on social entrepreneurship and robotics for the local community. Their goal is to help small-scale farms and farmers achieve their maximized growth yields through environmentally friendly commercial autonomous robotics with a triple bottom line. AgroSky places the power of technology in the hands of everyday certified organic growers to give them a competitive advantage over larger growing entities within the community and the region. By utilizing strategic imaging, GIS Mapping and Strategic Spraying they are changing the way farms operate and grow.

Entropy

Expression Award: Entropy
Noah Brock, Graduate in Studio Art
An interactive sculpture installation that is meant to exhibit entropy, this light-emitting sculpture reacts to the movement of the observer. The light becomes more intense as you approach and then abruptly turns off when you get too close. Eventually you will find a point in the space in which you feel the calmest in relation to the sculpture. 

Contribution Award: Developing Serious Games To Promote Cognitive Abilities Among The Elderly
Edward Agama, Graduate in FAMU
The early prevention of cognitive problems enables the elderly to live happily without a rapid decline of cognitive abilities. “Serious Games”, a growing area of research reveals that they can successfully be employed to train physical and cognitive abilities in elderly people. We propose to develop a suite of web applications, “Smart Thinker”, to cognitively engage the elderly while having fun playing the games. The games are designed to enhance mental health and core cognitive skills including Brain Speed, Memory, Attention and Judgement-Problem Solving skills.

Entrepreneur Award: FARE
Matt Barr, Senior in Computer Science
Sabrina Ariza, Junior in Computational Biology
Fare is a mobile application that splits the total cost of a car ride and allows the driver to receive payments from each passenger. The total cost of a car ride is calculated using current local gas prices and the driver's vehicle fuel economy information. Users can link a bank account, debit card, or use their current account balance to make payments to drivers. Drivers can cash out their balance to their bank account at any time, for free. Users can earn rewards as they accumulate miles from sharing rides with their friends.

Chronos Web Series

Campus Choice Award: Chronos Web Series
Reshmie Punwasi, Senior in Studio Art
Charles Levy, Junior in Advertising
Mariana Alves, Junior in Media Communication Studies
Leyla Erkan, Senior in Media Communications Studies
Andrea Nieto, Sophomore in Digital Media Production
Sabrina Torres, Senior in Graphic Design and Advertising
Sophie Navarez, Junior in Public Relations
Nicholas Rivers, Senior in Studio Art

Chronos is an anthology series, where every episode takes the point of view of a different character. The series is set in a world where time travels exists in the form of natural disasters aptly called, “time storms.” These storms are completely random and cannot be prevented or controlled. The people of this world are forced to deal with the ensuing chaos as they are flung back and forth through time. Government agencies try to maintain order and prevent the spread of alternate timelines, while others seek to manipulate history for their own insidious purposes. 

At the same time of the exhibition, students shared new business ideas with FSU Entrepreneurs sponsoring a $500 Shark Tank competition. There were 57 entries in the competition.

“This speaks to FSU as an entrepreneurial university,” said Chris Markl, a social entrepreneur-in-residence at FSU and one of the competition’s organizers. “We want to empower any student to engage in entrepreneurial projects while they are a student at FSU, regardless of their discipline. There were some amazing pitches.”

Shark Tank Winner: Divvy Up Socks
Jason McIntosh
Mitch Nelson
A start-up company that sells trendy socks and for every pair sold, donates a pair of socks to a homeless shelter.

To view more projects from DIGITECH, visit http://digitech.fsu.edu/2015/.