The RCareWorld Assistive Technologies Hackathon, held in April 2024, was a remarkable event that brought together the brightest minds at Cornell University to explore and innovate within the rapidly evolving field of assistive technology. This exclusive event provided a unique platform for students to collaborate, create, and challenge themselves in developing solutions that could redefine the future of caregiving.
Mission, Purpose, and Goal: What the Hackathon Was All About
At its core, the RCareWorld Hackathon aimed to address a fundamental question in the field of robotics: How can we leverage robot-world physical and social interactions in unstructured human environments to perform relevant activities of daily living (ADLs)? Organized by the Emprise Lab, the event focused on using the recently launched RCareWorld Simulation Software—a human-centric simulation world for physical and social robot caregiving.
Participants had the opportunity to work on two key caregiving tasks using the simulation software: Robot-Assisted Bathing and Robot-Assisted Dressing. These tasks required teams to program robots that could assist care recipients in highly sensitive and complex activities, demonstrating the potential of robotics in real-world caregiving scenarios.
In addition to the technical track, a second track called Inclusive Solutions to Existing Systems challenged participants to devise innovative and inclusive solutions that could enhance current systems. This track emphasized creativity and inclusivity, encouraging teams to think beyond traditional approaches and design solutions that cater to diverse user groups.
Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to the Winners
The hackathon showcased an incredible array of talent and innovation, and we are thrilled to congratulate the winners who stood out for their exceptional work:
Track 1 - RCareWorld Simulation Software
1st Place: Utku Melemetci and Peter He
2nd Place: Qiandao Liu
Track 2 - Inclusive Solutions to Existing Systems
1st Place: Ian Gegenwarth, Alan Munchy, and Joshua Dirga
2nd Place: Derek Chiou, Joshua Guo
3rd Place: Jamison Taylor Jr
These participants demonstrated not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of caregiving. Their innovative solutions hold the potential to make a significant impact on the future of assistive technologies.
A Heartfelt Thank You: Acknowledging Our Supporters
The success of the RCareWorld Hackathon would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of our amazing stakeholders, sponsors, and partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
Entrepreneurship at Cornell
EY
Community Partnership Funding Board
RCareWorld
Student Activities Funding Commissio, Cornell University
Your commitment to fostering innovation and supporting student-led initiatives has been invaluable.
We would also like to give a special thank you to the dedicated members of the Emprise Lab: Ruolin Ye, Ziang Liu, Justin Guo, Isabella Wells, Huy Nguyen, Shuaixing Chen, Anthony Song, Jiayuan Fu, and Gavin Chen. Your hard work in developing the RCareWorld Simulation Software and your tireless efforts in making this hackathon a success have not gone unnoticed.
Stay Connected: The Journey Continues
While the RCareWorld Hackathon has come to a close, the journey of innovation and discovery continues. We encourage all participants, supporters, and those interested in the future of assistive technologies to stay connected with the RCareWorld community.
Keep an eye out for future events, updates, and opportunities to collaborate on groundbreaking projects that will shape the future of caregiving. Together, we can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and create a more inclusive and accessible world.
Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this hackathon a success. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
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