The African robotics network and the 10 dollar robot design challenge [Society News]

The African Robotics Network (AFRON), a community of institutions, organizations, and individuals that support robotics research and education in Africa, announced the 10 Dollar Robot Design Challenge in the summer of 2012. The competition aimed to encourage new designs for extremely lowcost robots that can be made globally available to attract primary and secondary- level student interest in engineering. The amount of US$10 was set as the ideal target cost, but entries under US$100 were acceptable. Prizes for up to ten winning designs were listed, including Raspberry Pi computers and a share of US$3,000 sponsored by the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society under the IEEE´s Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT). By the deadline of 15 September 2012, 28 highly inventive entries, all under US$100, were submitted. Six distinguished international jurors judged the entries and selected the ten winners (listed here) and six honorable mentions.