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

FIRST General Forum
#1

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

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® 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

#2

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

#3

Bah… I’d take the Segway and eBay it… :smiley:

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

#4

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

#5

Hmmm… WPI’s CVT (Constant Variable Transmission) anyone?? :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

#6

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

#7

*Originally posted by WernerNYK *
**Hmmm… WPI’s CVT (Constant Variable Transmission) anyone?? :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: **

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

#8

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.

#9