University of Iowa College of Engineering students and a post doctoral scholar won prizes at the Iowa Innovation Challenge.
A total of $75,000 was awarded to 14 Innovation Challenge winners. Five people in the graduate/faculty/staff/incubator startup division shared $50,000 and nine people in the undergraduate division shared $25,000. The competition is hosted by the UI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC).
Amirreza Fahim Golestaneh, a post-doctoral research scholar in mechanical engineering and member of IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, was awarded the competition's overall top prize for the RoboSoft Simulator, which is inspired by the adaptive movements of animals. He won first place and $25,000 in the startup division.
Braeden Harrell, a graduate student in biomedical engineering (BME), won an honorable mention and $5,000 in the same division for an idea called Casually Clipless, a new type of clip-in attachment for bike pedals.
Iowa Engineering undergraduates earned first and second prizes in the technology category and the best social impact award.
Nick Hageman, an undergraduate in electrical and computer engineering (ECE), won the first prize for best technology and $5,000 for a project called SmartDart. The team also included Rabi Alaya, Caiden Atienza, and Nate Schaefer. SmartDart is developing a computer-vision driven steel-tip dart system that combines accurate, automated scoring with dynamic solo gameplay and real-time feedback.
Nikhil Herdt, a BME and business student, earned second place for best technology and $2,500 for a project called Casmium LLC.
Matthew Stensby, an ECE student, won the best social impact category, which came with a $2,000 prize, for a project called EasyPath. The team also includes Jacob Arkin, Evin Bayer, and Cole Swanson. EasyPath is a user-driven mobile platform designed to help individuals navigate the accessibility of public establishments, and leave detailed reviews on various accessibility features of businesses.
SmartDart and EasyPath evolved out of senior design projects under the mentorship of Yang Liu and Raghu Mudumbai, who are both ECE associate professors.
