Student software designers win top Microsoft award
A team of Irish students has won $25,000 (€17,000) in a prestigious international technology competition organised by Microsoft.
Team Hermes from IT Sligo won the Software Design category in the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011 competition for a device that plugs into a car and monitors dangerous driving behavior and road conditions, providing instant feedback to both the driver and the car owner.
The team members are Aíne Conaghan from Ballybofey in Co Donegal; James McNamara from Ballyfarnon, Co Roscommon; Calum Cawley of Castlebaldwin, Sligo and Matthew Padden from Ballina in Co Mayo.
“We have a problem in Ireland; that problem is deaths on our roads,” said McNamara. “Thanks to Microsoft and the Imagine Cup, we’ve been able to come together to solve this problem and save lives.”
The five category winners of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011 were announced last night at a ceremony in New York.
Over 350,000 entries were received for the competition, with 400 students from 70 countries attending the finals in the Big Apple this week.
Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton said the victory was an inspiration to the country.
“I have said repeatedly that if we are going to get out of this crisis, we are going to have to encourage indigenous innovation in any way we can," Minister Bruton said.
"Today’s news that a group of Irish students have won first place in one of the world’s most prestigious technology competitions is truly inspiring," he added.
“It also confirms to me that Irish people can compete the very highest level when it comes to creating technologies that can solve complex problems and create viable businesses."
