element14 community launches Music Tech Design Challenge

Dec. 3, 2015
Fifteen competitors will use BeagleBone technology to create connected musical devices to manipulate audio.

element14 has launched its latest design challenge – the Music Tech Challenge. Sponsored by BeagleBoard.org Foundation and CadSoft, element14 is challenging community members to build a musical device that can enable and extend the ability to manipulate audio.

“With a topic as universal as music, The Music Tech Challenge is a competition any engineer can relate to,” said Dianne Kibbey, global head of community at element14. “Today’s increased access to electronic hardware and software gives engineers the opportunity to create their own soundtracks. We’re excited to see how the competitors will use popular electronic components to build new musical devices that could influence the music industry.”

element14 will accept applications for the Music Tech Challenge from now until Dec. 7, and finalists will be chosen based on the designs proposed. Participants are required to use the BeagleBone Black in their design, but are encouraged to also incorporate additional components from the Musical Tech Kit provided by element14.

On Dec. 14, element14 will announce those members who were selected to receive the free kit – although the design challenge is open to anyone using a BeagleBone Black. All challengers will have until March 14 to create their builds. element14 will provide each participant with the open source BeagleBone Black, and a 1-year license for the ECAD-MCAD Product Design Suite, including: Autodesk Fusion 360, CadSoft EAGLE Pro, and Simplified Solutions IDF-to-3D Conversion.

Entries will be judged on originality, innovation and technical merit. The winner will be announced March 29. Each of the 15 competitors will also provide weekly updates on their progress through blog posts, photos and videos via the element14 community.

To learn more about the Music Tech Challenge and to submit and entry, visit http://element14.com/musictech.