Seeed Studio Empowers Innovation at TreeHacks 2024
Seeed Studio played a vital role in supporting innovation at TreeHacks 2024 by providing open-source hardware to participants. Sponsored hardware included XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO ESP32C3, XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, Grove Base for XIAO, and SenseCAP K1100.
TreeHacks 2024, Stanford University’s flagship hackathon, stood as a beacon of innovation, bringing together some of the brightest minds to tackle challenges. As a proud sponsor of the event, Seeed Studio played a role in catalyzing creativity and impactful solutions, by providing open-source hardware to empower hackers to develop groundbreaking solutions across various domains.
TreeHacks has long been recognized as a premier hackathon, drawing participants from universities worldwide to Stanford’s campus for a marathon of coding, problem-solving, and collaboration. In its 10th year, TreeHacks 2024 marked a milestone in the hackathon’s journey, symbolizing a decade of innovation, growth, and impact. With topics spanning diverse domains such as Education, Healthcare, Sustainability, Blockchain & Security, and Entertainment & Interaction, TreeHacks provided a platform for participants to explore their passions, push boundaries, and make a difference.
The event, held from February 16-18, 2024, unfolded at the Jen-Hsun Huang Engineering Center (“Huang”) on Stanford’s campus. From seasoned hackers to first-time participants, the event welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering an environment of inclusivity, collaboration, and learning. With over 1400 people in attendance, TreeHacks 2024 was a melting pot of ideas, talent, and creativity. During the 36 hours, teams of students immersed themselves in the hackathon experience, fueled by passion, caffeine, and a shared commitment to addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges.
The projects that emerged from TreeHacks 2024 reflected the diversity of thought and the depth of innovation present at the hackathon. From healthcare solutions leveraging AI and machine learning to sustainable technologies addressing environmental challenges, the projects spanned a wide range of domains and showcased the ingenuity and creativity of the participants.
The Role of Seeed Studio
Seeed Studio played a vital role in supporting innovation at TreeHacks 2024 by providing open-source hardware to participants. Sponsored hardware included XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO ESP32C3, XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, Grove Base for XIAO, and SenseCAP K1100(a sensor prototyping kit consisted of a Wio Terminal, Wio-E5 LoRa Module, Grove Vision AI Module and 3 other Grove environmental monitoring sensors). These resources empowered participants to bring their ideas to life and develop prototypes that showcased the potential of technology to drive positive change.
Projects Utilizing Seeed’s Hardware
- Meshworks – NLP LoRa Mesh Network for Emergency Response: Meshworks is a project aimed at developing a resilient information network for emergency responders in times of disaster, particularly when traditional telecommunication networks are compromised. The project combines mesh-based radio technology with advanced AI processing to create a robust communication system. Using LoRa technology, device nodes in the field connect to each other and to a command node, allowing for message transmission and data sharing over long distances. This network enhances communication range and resiliency, crucial for emergency response in disaster-stricken areas. Key components of the project include the integration of Wio Terminals and the Grove Wio-E5 LoRa modules, along with magnetometers for basic directional sensing. Meshworks has won the 1st place award for Best Use of Intel Developer Cloud.
- Show and Tell – Capturing Emotion in Sign Language is a groundbreaking project aimed at enhancing communication and accessibility for the hard of hearing community. Built with XIAO ESP32S3 Sense microcontroller, HumeAI, IMU, and OpenAI integration, the team embarked on a mission to empower individuals with innovative wearable technology and advanced AI integration. At the core of the project is a wearable glove equipped with flex sensors and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to detect sign language gestures accurately. This glove enables deaf or hard of hearing individuals to communicate seamlessly with others, translating their signs into text and speech during video calls. Show and Tell has won the award of Most Creative Hack.
- flipIt – Attachable and Affordable Smart Light Switch: flipIt is an innovative solution aimed at providing an affordable and easily attachable smart light switch for homes. Unlike existing smart light systems that can be costly and require complex installation processes, flipIt offers a cost-effective alternative that simplifies the transition to smart lighting. Built on the XIAO ESP32 microcontroller with WiFi capabilities, flipIt utilizes Arduino Cloud and IoT libraries for mobile app connectivity. The device operates by toggling a light switch on and off using a rotating motor, which can be activated through various methods: remotely via a mobile device, through a motion detection sensor, or manually using a physical button.
- Garden Nurturing Organism with Mechanical Efficiency (GNOME): The GNOME project aims to revolutionize plant monitoring through the development of an autonomous agricultural robot. Inspired by the need for enhanced agricultural efficiency, particularly in plant monitoring to maximize crop yield and prevent diseases, the team embarked on creating a robot equipped with computer vision capabilities for real-time plant monitoring. The robot arm, designed with claws to simulate scissors, utilizes computer vision techniques to detect and cut diseased plants accurately. Additionally, it features a Grove soil moisture sensor and color-changing lights to indicate changes in plant moisture levels.
There are several projects stood out for their innovation, impact, and technical prowess. Baymax, the winner of the $10,000 grand prize, developed a speech-controlled robot arm designed to assist physically disabled individuals by delivering medicine and food. The project demonstrated not only technical excellence but also a deep understanding of the real-world applications of technology in improving people’s lives. Good Samaritan, another standout project, combined Apple Vision Pro with AI to create a tool that aids emergency services in administering first aid. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the project aimed to improve response times and save lives in critical situations. Recollect focused on digitizing books using automatic OCR scanning and page turning, addressing the challenge of preserving cultural heritage and making knowledge more accessible to future generations.
Apart from the projects, TreeHacks 2024 boasted an impressive lineup of speakers and sponsors, further enhancing the hackathon experience and providing valuable resources for participants. Industry leaders such as Mira Murati, Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, Timothy Chou, Former President of Oracle, and Filip Kaliszan, CEO of Verkada, shared their insights and expertise, inspiring attendees with their vision for the future of technology. Other sponsors, such as Stanford Ecopreneurship, Intel, Terra, Fetch.ai, and Taisu, played a crucial role in supporting the hackathon, offering workshops, job opportunities, prizes, and technical resources. Their contributions enriched the hackathon experience, providing participants with valuable networking opportunities, mentorship, and access to cutting-edge technology.
Conclusion
TreeHacks 2024 was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and community. Seeed Studio is honored to have been part of this incredible event and looks forward to continuing to support and empower the next generation of innovators. Through initiatives like TreeHacks, we can harness the collective potential of young minds to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
About Author
I agree that TreeHacks 2024 was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and community