Win a Segway! (oh, and show off your cool technologies too!)
 

I recently received this notice, and thought some of the teams and engineers might be interested. Note that the technologies submitted for the contest do not have to be robot-related (but it would be very cool if they were!).

-dave

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You are invited to enter the first-ever Emhart Design Contest, featuring a top prize of $20,000 or a high-tech automobile. Every qualified entrant will earn a prize and be recognized in the pages of NASA Tech Briefs, co-sponsor of the contest with Emhart Teknologies - a Black & Decker Company. Visit http://www.emhartcontest.com for complete details.

To enter, submit an original design idea in one of these three categories:

* Everyday Products - significant functional or ergonomic new products, or upgrades to existing products, that improve quality of life;

* Safety - mechanical or electromechanical designs to improve personal safety during travel, work, recreation, or at home;

* Transportation - mechanical or electromechanical designs that improve the functionality, performance, or cost basis of transportation products.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a hybrid automobile or $20,000 in cash. One First Prize winner will get a Segway Transporter or a trip for four to Florida to tour NASA's Kennedy Space Center and attend a Space Shuttle launch.

Dozens of other prizes will be awarded, and all qualified entrants will receive a POP(r) PowerLink 30 repair kit/hand rivet tool, valued at $50.

So get those creative juices flowing - entries must be received by November 15, 2002. Visit http://www.emhartcontest.com for the rules and official entry form. No purchase required.

Good luck!

Cordially,


Joe Pramberger
Publisher, NASA Tech Briefs

oh man...you have to be 18 to enter that.

Bah... I'd take the Segway and eBay it... :D

I'm not saying I wouldn't keep it... but those fools on eBay would pay 20,000+ for a segway.

I suggest you do a quick search at www.uspto.gov/patft/ and make sure your idea is still available.

Hmmm..... WPI's CVT (Constant Variable Transmission) anyone?? :D :D :D

that was actually someones graduation project, or two peoples. they can't use that for this, at least i dont think so, since they didn't invent the idea of the cvt, its around and in some cars actually, so its not origonal, just amazing to see in a robot

List of similar patents:

1. 6,120,400 Transmission wheel pressurizing apparatus for transmitting constant power in a variable speed transmission

2. 6,013,006 Speed ratio controller for varying a time constant as a function of upshift characteristics in a continuously variable transmission

3. 4,680,985 Continuously variable transmission with epicyclic constant mesh gearing

4. 4,519,272 Transmission having a constant torque ratio output at a variable speed ratio output

Hehe, my father works at BorgWarner and they're also one of our biggest sponsors. There's quite a lot done with CVTs here (A LOT) though I wouldn't see it as such a brand new innovative idea. I think they're just asking for something unique and cool such as the Segway (which, btw, I don't see much use for). I am annoyed at the age limit.