Imagine Cup 2009 > Embedded Development Invitational

Welcome to the
Embedded Development Invitational

Have you ever thought that you can go beyond the PC desktop? That you're talented enough to work on hardware AND software to create solutions for game consoles, financial services, medical challenges, manufacturing processes...? What about using your talent to change the world? If you and your friends can answer YES to these questions, then the Imagine Cup Embedded Development Invitational is the challenge you're looking for.

The object of the Embedded Development Invitational is to unleash students' creativity in an effort to sketch the Imagine Cup theme "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today."

Teams of up to four eligible students and a mentor (optional but recommended) submit their own embedded device prototype through two entry rounds before making it to the finals in Cairo, Egypt.

Prizes

• Up to one hundred and fifty (150) Semi-Finalist Prizes. Each Team that advances to Round 2 will receive an E-Box 4300 embedded platform device, ARV $450 USD).
• Twenty (20) Finalist Prizes. All Finalists will receive a trip to Cairo, Egypt to compete in the Worldwide Imagine Cup 2009 Finals. Trip includes round trip air travel, hotel accommodations and select meals.
• One (1) First Place Prize: A prize package that consists of the following:
  • $25,000 USD, to be divided equally among each member of the Team
  • A Microsoft IT Academy and Microsoft Learning Prize Package (ARV, $200 USD), for each member of the Team, that consists of the following:
    • Microsoft Press books
    • A Microsoft Certification Exam voucher
• One (1) Second Place Prize: $10,000 USD
• One (1) Third Place Prize: $5,000 USD

Competition Timeline

Ready to get started?

1. as a participant of the Imagine Cup and select Embedded Development.
   
2. Get the resources you need
   You can download Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2, Windows Embedded CE Platform Builder, and Windows Embedded CE IDE through Microsoft Download Center
   
3. Get connected to the experts that can help you win at Microphone on Facebook
   
4. Submit your entry

Competition Process

Round 1 - Qualifying

Your Team must create and submit the materials described below by March 1, 2009 11:59 PM (GMT)

A Report (5 pages max), submitted as an electronic file in the .doc, .docx, .pdf or .txt format, that incorporates the following information:

• Project Vision:
  • What problem are you trying to solve?
  • What is your proposed solution to the problem?
  • Why would the solution be best implemented as an embedded solution?
• Proposed Project Hardware Architecture
• Proposed Project Software Architecture and Functionalities

Round 2 - Semi-Finals

If you are invited to advance to compete in Round 2 your team must create and submit the materials described below by May 20, 2009 11:59 PM (GMT)

• A Report (15 pages max), submitted as an electronic file in the in the .doc, .docx, .pdf or .txt format, that incorporates the following:
  • An Executive Summary, not to exceed 1 of the 15 pages
  • A Situational Analysis consisting of:
    • Problem Analysis
    • Project Analysis
    • User Experience
    • Market Analysis
    • Cost Analysis
  • Technical Architecture
  • Overall Embedded System Architecture
  • Hardware Components
  • Data Flow
  • Data Processing
  • Testing Procedures
  • Performance Analysis
  • Project Status
• An Embedded Solution, based on the entry materials submitted in Round 1, submitted in the form of a Video Presentation (5 minutes max). The Video Presentation must be submitted as an electronic file less than 50MB in size in the mpg, .avi or .mpeg format.
  • Configure, build, debug, and deploy a Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 operating system image.
  • Build an application on top of the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 operating system image that you configure, build, debug and deploy. If you build an application on top of a pre-existing windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 operating system image, you will be disqualified.

Worldwide Finals

If invited to participate in the finals in Cairo, Egypt, your team will make a presentation of up to thirty (30) minutes to a panel of judges and participate in a Q&A Session with the judging panel.

Content and Technical Requirements

• Hardware Tools
  • Embedded platform that we provide
    NOTE: We will provide each Team that advances to Round 2 with an E-box 4300 embedded platform device.
• Software Tools
  • Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2
  • Windows Embedded CE Platform Builder
  • Windows Embedded CE IDE
• Your entry must address a social cause connected to the2009 Imagine Cup Theme: Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today"
• Any presentation, documentation, or supporting materials that are a part of your entry must be presented or submitted in the English language.

Judging criteria

Round 1 - Qualifying

At the conclusion of the Round 1 Entry Period, all eligible entries received will be reviewed by a panel (or panels) of qualified judges based on the judging criteria set forth below to determine up to one hundred and fifty (150) of the top Teams (each, a "Semi-Finalist") that will advance to compete in Round 2 of the Invitational.

Round 1 Judging Criteria

• 25% Innovation: Originality and creativity
• 25% Impact and Relevance of the Solution
• 25% Feasibility and Adherence to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme
• 25% Quality of the Project Vision

Round 2 - Semi-Finals

At the conclusion of the Round 2 Entry Period, all eligible entries received will be reviewed by a panel (or panels) of qualified judges based on the judging criteria set forth below to determine up to twenty (20) of the top Teams (each, a "Finalist") that will advance to compete in the Worldwide Finals.

Round 2 Judging Criteria

Round 3 - Worldwide Finals

Judging will take place in three (3) phases as follows:

Phase 1

Each Team will present its Embedded Solution in the form of a twenty (20) minute presentation and product demonstration to two (2) separate judging panels. Based on the Round 3 Judging Criteria set forth below, the judges will assess each Team. At the end of Phase 1, we will tally the scores, and up to twelve (12) of the top Teams will advance to Phase 2 of Round 3.

Phase 2

Each of the up to twelve (12) remaining Teams will present its Embedded Solution again, in the form of a twenty (20) minute presentation and product demonstration, to another judging panel consisting of different judges. Based on the Round 3 Judging Criteria set forth below, these judges will assess each Team. At the end of Phase 2, we will tally the scores, and up to six (6) of the top Teams will advance to Phase 3 of Round 3.

Phase 3

Each of the up to six (6) remaining Teams will present its Embedded Solution a final time on-stage, in the form of a twenty (20) minute presentation and demonstration, to another judging panel consisting of different judges. Based on the Round 3 Judging Criteria set forth below, these judges will assess each Team. At the end of Phase 3, we will tally the scores and announce the First Place, Second Place, and Third Place Teams.

Round 3 Judging Criteria

How do I submit my entry?

To submit your entry for Round 1, make sure you have registered for the Embedded Development Invitational as an individual, or as a member of a Team, and then submit the required entry materials as instructed before the close of the Round 1 deadline

To submit your entry for Round 2, navigate to and submit the required entry materials as instructed before the close of the Round 2 deadline.

We will provide instructions for how to submit your required entry materials for Round 3.

Entry Limit

We will only accept one (1) entry per Team.

PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to submit an entry in this Invitational, then you agree that your participation in this Invitational is subject to the following:

• The Imagine Cup Rules and Regulations posted at: /Competition/Rules-Regulations.aspx; and
• The Imagine Cup Embedded Development Invitational Details described above.

If there are any inconsistencies between the Imagine Cup Rules and Regulations, the Imagine Cup Terms of Use, the Imagine Cup Code of Conduct and/or these Invitational Details, the Imagine Cup Rules and Regulations will govern.