An internet-connected chicken hatchery, an app-enabled locking device and an online platform to help renters find a home are just some of the weird and wonderful ideas floated at the third annual Hackagong event.
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It was a battle of the brains as 150 participants from Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne gathered at the University of Wollongong to pitch their innovative ideas to the Hackagong judges.
After two days and some cracking ideas, the top gong was awarded to the Infobarn group for its innovative approach to chicken egg incubation.
‘‘They programmed a [microcontroller] which connected up to a device that controlled the temperature and rocked the eggs back and forth, so you could connect up to the internet and use your phone to control the temperature of the egg during the whole incubation period,’’ Hackagong founder Nathan Waters said.
Other interesting prototypes included a motorised lock that was app-enabled and a 3D-printed table-top game featuring different figurines and weapons.
Teams were vying for prizes in 11 categories, which included 2014 people’s choice, most innovative 3D print, best mobile app and best indie game.
Overall winner, Infobarn, received a $46,000 prize package designed to help it launch its own start-up company.
Mr Waters said the event aimed to create more innovative start-up businesses in the region.
‘‘The idea of the prize package is to encourage the winning team to continue on and launch a proper start-up – that was our initial mission with Hackagong, to ignite a bit of a start-up culture in the Illawarra,’’ Mr Waters said.
The 2012 inaugural Hackagong winners are still operating as a start-up out of the Illawarra while last year’s winner, Liquid Wallet, has turned its prototype of an all-in-one wallet and key holder into a viable business after raising $18,000 through a Kickstarter page.
