NXP is always looking for the next generation of great ideas, innovators and
inventors and what better place to start than right at home? For Sanjay Gupta,
Vice President and India Country Manager, the kids of NXP India employees,
(“our tiny scientists”) are real engines of creativity. In Season Two of the
Young Innovator Design Challenge (YIDC), Sanjay and his team set out to ignite
the spark of passion for embedded electronics and semiconductor-driven
innovations. The challenge "Let’s Fight COVID-19 together” was accepted by 100
participants.
The five-month marathon contest kicked off in June 2020, with children from
Noida, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad representing every site in NXP India.
Armed with NXP
micro:bit kits and supported by NXP technical mentors, the children (aged 9 to 16
from classes 4 to 12) came up with unique, innovative ideas and product demos
on how to fight the pandemic and help society at large. After several rounds
of judging, 13 children were shortlisted for the Grand Finale.
Facing the Jury
The children presented live demos of their innovative solutions in front of
the camera for jury evaluation. The Grand Finale brought the 13 finalists and
the jury together virtually for an electrifying finish. The jury, comprising
judges from Indian industry and academia, also featured NXP’s Chief Technology
Officer Lars Reger. The devoted and enthusiastic members of the YIDC
organizing team were delighted to see the exuberant response of the presenting
kids and their parents.
It was a tough decision for the members of the jury.
Strict criteria
All the children made excellent presentations and live demos, as well as
handling an interactive Q&A session with the judges. The final evaluation
criteria included overall confidence about the idea, novelty, market
relevance, demonstration, time management and impactful communication.
Prototypes included a robotic UV light box and disinfection chamber, a robot
that monitors body vitals and an automated bag-valve based ventilator, robotic
touch arm, even a touchless doorbell.
Bright minds. Bright futures. NXP team members create breakthrough technologies that advance our world.
The future starts here.
Lars's verdict
“I am extremely impressed by the quality and level of innovation and
hard work that went into these entries,” Lars told the young
inventors. “There is clearly a lot of creativity here and
understanding of the social and technical issues involved. Everyone
should be extremely proud of their achievements.” When the judges had
all shared their messages of inspiration and motivation, it was
decision time.
From 100 to 8
The eager contestants were then evaluated, and finally, eight children emerged
victorious in various categories. Everyone, judges, parents and mentors alike,
were mesmerized by the confidence of the children presenting their live
demonstrations and innovative designs around the COVID-19 solutions. It was a
remarkable finish to an amazing journey.
The junior category winners
The senior category winners
We Are NXP embodies, spirit and values of NXP, which
is committed to advancing the world by making it safer and more connected. We
pursue our ambitions through technological innovations designed to enhance the
quality of life of our employees, our communities and the world at large, all
the while ensuring sustainability and minimizing our impact on the
environment.
