[March 07, 2017]

Bluetooth SIG Announces Finalists for the 2017 Imagine Blue Awards

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the finalists for the 2017 Bluetooth Imagine Blue Awards, an awards program that recognizes innovative Bluetooth enabled devices with the potential to alter how consumers experience technology in every facet of their lives. Applications for this year's awards were accepted in two categories - Prototype and Student - and called for thoughtful, next generation solutions that push the boundaries of wireless connectivity.

"The submissions received from students and innovators across the globe were truly impressive, and leveraged the power of Bluetooth to creatively design solutions for a broad range of challenges," said Katy Scheck, Director of Marketing and Public Relations of the Bluetooth SIG. "From audio to smart home to consumer engagement to health and safety, the finalists represent forward-thinking inventions that have real potential to change and improve how we live and interact with technology and one another."

Finalists by Category:

Prototype Finalists

Beeem Technologies, Inc., Beeem - Offers an end-to-end beacon solution that enables any business to easily build and deploy physical web content, directly connect with consumers, and analyze and grow customer engagement.

Novalia, Touch Beacon - Turns virtually any printed material into an interactive consumer experience by incorporating touch-activated beacons into posters, packaging, advertising, and more.

TrackR, b>TrackR atlas - Creates a virtual floor plan of users' homes and helps track frequently misplaced items via a small, plug-in Bluetooth proximity device.

Cassia Networks, Inc., Cassia Telehealth Solution - Connects the Cassia Bluetooth router with smart medical equipment to create a more effective and automated IoT telehealth solution for at-home care.

Tempow, Tempow - Multi Streaming Audio - Uses local multi-casting capabilities to connect one smartphone to several Bluetooth audio devices, such as speakers or headphones, for one synced output.

Student Finalists

Sara Du, Bluejay - Transmits a survivor's location via Bluetooth to drones sent out by emergency responders during natural disasters or crisis situations.

Ashton Cofer, ArriveAwake-ArriveAlive - Connects a heart rate monitor to a mobile device via Bluetooth to analyze users' heart rate data while driving to prevent drowsy driving accidents.

Kento Sasamoto, Magic Knock - Enables users to operate smart home appliances and devices by knocking on a wall or desk.

Celia Garrido-Hidalgo, OperaBLE - Provides in-depth tracking of workers by monitoring location, activity, and even emotion via a Bluetooth wearable in an effort to enhance the value chain of the Industrial Internet of Things.

Gary Dusek, DeMeter - Connects a comprehensive package of Bluetooth environmental sensors to an online community to create a crowd-sourced picture of local weather conditions.

All Prototype finalists have been invited to attend Bluetooth World to showcase their entry within the Bluetooth SIG booth, and will be given the opportunity to present their submission to the Imagine Blue judging panel and influential Bluetooth World attendees during the event. The overall winner of the Prototype category will receive a $10,000 USD cash prize.

The innovations of the Student finalists will be highlighted in a series of blogs on Bluetooth.com, and the overall winner will be awarded a $5,000 USD cash prize.

The SIG will announce the winners for both the Student and Prototype categories at the conclusion of Bluetooth World 2017.

To learn more about the awards program, visit https://www.bluetooth.com/news-events/awards.

Questions about the program can be directed to [email protected].

About Bluetooth^® Wireless Technology

Bluetooth is the global wireless standard for simple, secure connectivity. Propelled by a global community of more than 31,000 companies, Bluetooth serves to unify, harmonize, and drive innovation in the vast range of connected devices all around us. Through collective creation and shared technical standards, Bluetooth simplifies, secures and enriches the technology experience of users worldwide.

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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170307005513/en/

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