CES 2014: Intel’s Make It Wearable Campaign Wants Your Big Idea

Well, give it up to Intel.  Not content to roll out just their own line of cool new innovations at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (and we think they had some pretty fabulous stuff), Intel wants to run with YOUR idea, too — and there’s a nice little lump of cash in it for you if you happen to have the best idea in the room.

During their CES presentation address Monday, Intel unveiled the Make It Wearable initiative, their year-long challenge to dreamers to come up with innovative and practical wearable technology ideas that will use “anything that can be worn, implanted, or grown” to change the world for the better, Intel states in their announcement release.

So, what does that include? So far, clothing, stickers, temporary tattoos, and accessories like watches, glasses, wristbands, and more are on the market or in development.

For anyone 13 years or older who think they’ve got a great wearable tech idea, that idea will fall into one of two categories: the Visionary track, open to “futuristic ideas with no boundaries” (i.e., your standard cufflink-slash-time machine concept would fall here); and the more practical Development track, featuring products that…you know…could actually happen with current technology.

VIsionaries will submit a 1-minute video describing their blockbuster idea.  The best pitches will then make their way through 5 rounds of judging by a panel of experts, who will grade the ideas on their potential impact.  Winners will get $5,000 to help develop their idea, as well as an invite to Intel’s big Make It Wearable final presentation gala.

But the big bucks are on the Development side (since Intel can actually make some money off those ideas).  Development track ideas will be judged on innovation and feasibility as well as technical and business criteria.  If your idea gets past the semifinal and final rounds, the top 10 will get $50,000 and serious “mentorship” from Intel to get the idea off the ground.  The grand prize winner will walk away with $500,000 for their labors; second and third place make a cool $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.

Check out the video below outlining the competition and you can go to Intel’s Make It Wearable site for more details.  Good luck!

 

 

CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show; 1/7/14

 

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