WASHINGTON -- ABB, cosponsor of the 4th Annual Computer Society International Design Competition (CSIDC) announced the winning teams in this year's competition based on the theme of added value: turning computers into systems. More than 170 teams competed.
First place went to a team from National Taiwan University, who also won the Microsoft Multimedia Award, for their Novel Educative Wireless Style project. The software provided a novel approach to distance and classroom learning through wireless technology. The team integrated instant messaging and other learning aids to increase online interaction in the classroom.
The team from Politehnica University of Bucharest received second place for its Eyes Only information security device. North Carolina State University's team took third place with its Diet Download project, a PDA application that enables users to track their diets.
Prizes ranged from $15,000 for first place to $1,000 for honorable mentions.
Christoffer Apneseth, ABB's program manager for the company's Advanced Industrial Communications global R&D program, said "We are looking for projects that combine not just a new use of technology, but also ones that have been designed and tested using good software development techniques. We benefit by seeing innovative ideas at the academic level."
ABB began cosponsoring CSIDC in 2002. The other cosponsors are Microsoft Corporation and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) Foundation.
ABB also sponsors the Global E3 Scholarship of the Institute of International Education helping to send American women abroad to study engineering, and the Earth Apple Awards of the Alliance to Save Energy to raise awareness of students in grades K-12 of the need to conserve energy.
Last year ABB invested $799 million in research and order related development. First filings for software-related patents represented 27 percent of total filings in 2002. About 75 percent of the company's business is based on products developed in the last five years. The company's R&D operation is based on its R&D centers, universities, customers and its operations around the world.
ABB (http://www.abb.com) is a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry consumers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact.
