Restraint to Reinvention

Challenges connect you with brands seeking your expertise through project requests or “bounties.” Submit a proposal quickly, as spots fill fast, and if selected, complete the project and publish it on Hackster to earn the payout. Outstanding submissions may also receive a cash bonus.

Join the "Restraint to Reinvention" Innovation Challenge, presented by Hackster.io in collaboration with Nordic Semiconductor, and transform constraints into opportunities for resource-limited communities.

Over 3 billion people worldwide reside in rural areas, often lacking access to modern technological conveniences. This challenge invites innovators, engineers, and designers to develop low-cost, energy-efficient solutions that address pressing social issues in these underserved regions.

Challenge Objective

• Appropriate Technology: Design solutions tailored to the specific needs and conditions of resource-constrained communities.
• Alternative Communication Methods: Utilize low-power communication technologies such as Bluetooth, RF, LoRa, Zigbee, Mesh, or offline systems to ensure functionality in areas with limited connectivity, leveraging Nordic Semiconductor's nRF54L15 DK for prototyping your solution.
• Local Adaptability: Ensure your project can be implemented and sustained within the target community.

Examples of potential solutions:

• Smart irrigation systems that optimize water usage (check out this winning project from Nordic's Smart Sustainable World contest).
• Efficient waste management solutions overcoming unreliable public collection services.
• Energy management innovation that optimizes power usage.
• Mobility and transportation inventions enhancing local transit.
• Crime alert systems enabling quick reporting to authorities.

Contender Selection

The 3 Contender slots will be prioritized to developers actively collaborating with communities in greatest need. These slots will be quickly allocated to proposals showcasing an existing product or prototype that addresses relevant challenges. To qualify, contenders must demonstrate established, active working relationships with local communities. Contenders must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the contest rules.

Hardware Provided - nRF54L15 DK

Nordic's nRF54L15 DK is the development kit for nRF54L15, nRF54L10, and nRF54L05. You will be able to utilize this kit to prototype your solution based on any or all three wireless SoC (System-on-Chip) options in the nRF54L series.

Features:

• Bluetooth 5.4 Low Energy (BLE) with direction-finding and mesh support.
• IEEE 802.15.4 radio compatible with Zigbee, Thread, and Matter.
• Near-Field Communication (NFC) support.
• Support for proprietary 2.4GHz protocols with data rates up to 4Mb/s.

This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact by developing innovative technologies that improve daily life in resource-limited communities. Submit your proposal and be part of the change.

Proposal Requirements

• Problem Statement: Specify the "restraint" resources of the region you are addressing. Show pictures or videos of the community.
• High-Level Technical Architecture: Outline the core technical design of your solution, including how it addresses the unique challenges of the target environment.
• Use of nRF54L15 DK Features: Detail how you plan to utilize the components and features of the development kit, including your design choice of the type of connectivity, sensors, and processing capabilities.
• Peripheral Add-On Hardware: List any additional hardware or peripherals you intend to integrate with your solution.
• Community Engagement Plan: Describe your strategy or plan for implementation.

Solution Requirements

• Comprehensive Documentation: Provide full documentation of your implementation process, including all testing and deployment pictures.
• Bill of Materials (BOM): Include a detailed list of all components and materials used in your project.
• Technical Explanation: Offer an in-depth explanation of the hardware and software developed, highlighting key features and innovations.
• Future Plans: Outline your vision for scaling or further developing the solution to maximize its impact.

Prizes

Base Award

3 winners

$1500

Bonus Award

1 winner

$500 Bonus

Sponsor's choice to the most impactful solution

Judges

Majed Abouhatab, P.E. (Hackster PRO) is an Electronics Professional Engineer who fell in love with building circuits in the 8th grade at the school library during recess. At 19, he took a daring leap across the pond to the United States of America where he worked to self-fund his education and graduated debt-free at the top of his class. When not busy posting award winning projects on Hackster.io or training for half-marathons, Majed flies his own plane, skydives from others', or simply enjoys being a globetrotting passenger to an international destination.

Robb Sabolovic is a Technical Sales Engineer for Nordic Semiconductor supporting customer integration of Nordic wireless solutions into innovative low-power applications. He has a multifaceted background including roles in IC design, Systems Engineering, and Field Applications. Even now being in sales, Robb still enjoys writing firmware and creating hardware designs. Finally, in his spare time, he supports animal rescue organizations and unsuccessfully tries to herd his 4 cats at home!

Helmut Lord is a Field Application Engineer for Nordic Semiconductor where he accelerates customer development and demonstrates low-power wireless hardware + firmware. On the side, Helmut is a FOSS and Open Source Hardware enthusiast.