Descon2016 IoT Hackathon Announced for August 5th – 7th
International Test Site Center near Belgrade plays host to the second ever DESCON 2016. Powered by .ME, Comcast, Stretchsense, Internet Society Serbia Chapter & Hacklab Belgrade
DESCON 48HRS IOT HACKATHON
#DESC0N
- A range of International judges & mentors
- IoT sensor prize page worth 700 EUR
- Free registration online at descon.me
- Free transport to the venue and back
DesCon is inviting technologists, hackers, makers, designers, computer enthusiasts and artists from the region to a 48 hour IoT Hackathon for the second weekend in August at the International Test Site – www.its-z1.org close to Belgrade. The first DesCon was such a success we kept getting requests to host another event, so we knew we had to put on another hack this year, says event founder Désirée Miloshevic.
The Internet of Things, or IoT, has emerged as the next technology mega-trend. It refers to connecting to the Internet more than billions of everyday devices – ranging from fitness bracelets to industrial equipment. This trend is occurring as the physical, and online worlds merge, opening up a host of new opportunities and challenges for companies, governments and consumers.
The theme for DesCon 2016 is Fun Alertness. In the future, fashionable devices, wearables and garments will be a part of our daily lives, they will alert us to fun, provide warnings or useful information about our location. For example; a passer-by may be heading to the same concert performance as you and your earrings will whisper and alert you to their whereabouts. Or real-time pollution monitoring at your local school which alerts children there is a change in the air quality or the level of UVA/UVB/UVC sun rays.
By holding events like DesCon, we can inspire the next generation of ideas and entrepreneurs in Belgrade. We’re bringing in international guests to discuss the repercussions across the business spectrum. This means participants will begin to understand how to think strategically about adapting existing business models, security and operations to take advantage of IoT.
Teams of hackers and makers will spend the weekend creating Open Source software to connect physical objects to the Internet in new and interesting ways. Teams will use sensors, Arduino kits and their own hardware to build wearable fashion items and IoT devices capable of taking and measuring data both from the atmosphere and human bodies.
The hackathon is open to computer programmers and any other tech-oriented people who want to collaborate on projects using software. Hackers typically stay in the space the entire time working late into the night. To fuel everybody food is provided. “Hackathons are around-the-clock intense,” Miloshevic says. “Last year some participants lived on Club Matte and adrenalin.” At the end of the weekend, we celebrate what the community has produced, and some teams will take their ideas back to their business or place of work as a prototype.
There will be a top prize worth 700 EUR but says most hackers will come for the camaraderie, the excitement of collaboration, not just competition, the bragging rights and the opportunity to use sensors and hardware they might not have had access to before.
DesCon 2016 features talks from leading international speakers on subjects including Internet of Things, cryptography, security, block-chain and wearable technologies. Guests include Matthew Jackson from New Zealand who is known for commercialising disruptive technologies, Kristina Nikolic from Strawberry Energy LLC and Predrag Radovic, Hacklab Belgrade and a surprise guest. These guests will work side by side with the community to develop and deploy new solutions for a digital citizenry.
THE INTERNET OF THINGS
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects or “things” embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enables these objects to collect and exchange data.
DESCON FOUNDER
Désirée Miloshevic is an Internet public servant and Senior Public Policy and International Affairs Advisor in Europe for Afilias, global provider of Internet infrastructure and registry services. She serves as an elected Trustee of the Board of the Internet Society and was Special Advisor to the UN Chair of Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group on Internet Governance. She is currently active in both ISOC England UK and Belgrade Chapter and Hacklab Belgrade. She served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of DoMen d.o.o. .ME registry, Board member of European Regional At-large Organisation at ICANN and Board Member of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility.
REGISTRATION
DesCon 2016 registration is required, but participation is free.
Hosted by the Intl Test Site www.its-z1.org and powered by .Me, Comcast & StretchSense.
Supported by Hacklab Belgrade & ISOC Serbia Chapter volunteers
To Register Online Visit: https://descon.me/2016/register/
