IRVINE, CA - Following on the success from last year's contest, Lantronix continues to lead device networking innovation by announcing its second annual Wireless Design Contest. With more categories and larger cash prizes, this contest challenges engineers worldwide to use their imaginations to wirelessly network-enable a machine or device using Lantronix WiPort, an embedded 802.11 b/g wireless Device Server.
To qualify for nearly $20,000 in prizes, contestants must register their product on the Lantronix Web site and submit a working prototype board design, complete with a documented summary of the project and its operation. All entries must be received on or before March 1, 2007, and winners will be announced at the Embedded Systems Conference (April 3-7, 2007) in San Jose, CA. First place will receive $6000; second place, $4000; and third place, $2000. Additional awards will be given for the best entry from a student or educational institute, the entry with the lowest power usage, and the entry using 802.11 b/g and Ethernet-swappable combination.
Contest entries will be judged on technical merit, originality, business value, cost-effectiveness, and design optimization. For the full list of contest rules and the online entry form, please visit the Lantronix Web site.
"Last year's competition was hard fought with a variety of compelling wireless applications," said Chris Preston, senior vice president of marketing for Lantronix. "We received several hundred entries that ranged from a pool monitoring system to a computer-enabled Roomba vacuum cleaner." In the end, the top prize went to Keith Emery with his eLAWN programmable sprinkler controller, which automatically controls the watering schedule based on environmental conditions from virtually any computer anywhere in the world—a perfect tool for the busy traveler.
"This contest is a great catalyst to drive the creativity of product design engineers to solve real-world problems and create new market opportunities," continued Preston.
For a list of last year's contest winners and photos of some of last year's concepts, please visit the company's Web site.
About Lantronix WiPort
Lantronix WiPort is a compact, highly integrated hardware and software module that enables original equipment manufacturers to quickly and easily build secure 802.11 b/g wireless capabilities into virtually any electronic device with a serial or Ethernet port. Meeting critical European standards, the WiPort is RoHS-compliant and provides a real-time operating system, full-featured network protocol stack, and a proven, ready-to-use serial-to-wireless or Ethernet-to-wireless application. The product also includes a built-in Web server for remote device communications and a Web manager for configuration via a standard Web browser, enabling a connected device to be managed from anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit the company's Web site.
About Lantronix
Lantronix Inc. develops hardware and software solutions to help businesses and government agencies remotely access and manage network infrastructure equipment and rapidly network-enable their physical electronic devices. With nearly two decades of networking experience, the company is a leader in secure, remote device and data center management. With a family of products ranging from embedded device servers to external box device servers to data center management, Lantronix is a one-stop shop for technologists who design, manage, and configure servers, electronic devices, and network infrastructure equipment. The company's worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, CA. For more information, visit the company's Web site.