Announcing the Insert Coin: New Challengers finalists!

Hard to believe, but March is here, and with this lambing-lion of a month comes Engadget's first-ever Expand conference in San Francisco. It also marks the impending culmination of our first-ever Insert Coin: New Challengers competition. Late last year, we asked makers to submit their projects for a chance to win $25,000 in prizes. We whittled that list down to 10 semifinalists and asked you to help up get it down to a final five, which will go up in front of our all-star panel of judges on March 16th and 17th. Finalist voting closed yesterday, and we've tallied the 5 projects that will be demoed on stage. Check them out after the break, and be sure to follow our coverage at Expand for a chance to help pick the Grand Prize and People's Choice winners.

Make a Play

We do get worried from time to time that plopping kids in front of TV sets and video games can have a detrimental effect on their imaginations -- that's why it's great to see a bit of technology that actually encourages kids to let their little brains run wild. This Arduino-based stage lets the little ones create their own programmed puppet show, complete with lights, music, movement and more.

SmartKnob

Here's a keypad for your front door, doing away with all those pesky keys. SmartKnob is targeted at property managers, renters and other folks who need to give a number of people access to a single entrance. The easy-to-install device is compatible with standard circular deadbolts, utilizing codes that are issued by property owners or by calling an automated phone system.

SmartPulse

An open-source fitness device, Smartpulse can tether to Android and iOS via Bluetooth 4.0. The device's designers are in the process of finalizing the API to let fellow developers get the most out of this thumb-sized smart oximeter.

Snapzoom

Are you getting the most out of your smartphone's camera? Probably not, if you don't have an adapter like Snapzoom. The device helps attach all manner of phones to all manner of scopes, including binoculars, telescopes, and zoom lenses, so you can look at the stars or do a little birdwatching.

Ziphius

Ziphius is a partially-submerged aquatic drone that can be controlled via iOS or Android devices. It has an on-board HD camera for first-person visuals, so users can rock some augmented reality as they cruise the open waters. Its makers also plan to open Ziphius' API, to let game and app developers get the most out of the little guy.

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By: Unknown On 9:22 PM

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Insert Coin: New Challengers semifinalists announced!

As 2012 drew to a close, we asked you creative types to let us in on your forthcoming crowdfunded projects -- and boy did you deliver. We've spent the past week whittling down the submissions for our first-ever Insert Coin: New Challengers competition, and are pretty excited about the results. As detailed in our announcement post, we've chosen 10 semifinalists, who will receive a free trip to Expand next month, along with a $1,000 travel stipend. Better yet, those on the list are in the running to win a total of $25,000, including a $5,000 Reader's Choice award and $20,000 Grand Prize, along with product reviews on this very site.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thanks to everyone who entered -- paring down the list wasn't an easy task. We'll be highlighting each entry further in the week to come, leading up to a Wednesday, February 20th, vote for five finalists. Skip on through after the break to check out the list of semifinalists, and we'll see you in March!

cSpring

cSpring is a bipedal educational robot who can sense the world through a 3D camera and has 12 servos to perform complex movements.

Hodu

Inspired by his uncle's stroke, Dan Mikesell created this barbell-shaped physical therapy tool that interfaces with software to give patients positive feedback on their recovery.

Make a Play

Leave it to an ITP student to create an electronic stage for high-tech kids' puppet shows. Children can control the puppets, voices, lighting and more.

Moedls

Want to turn your iPhone or Android device into a mobile 3D scanner? That's the dream of Moedls, which leverages your smartphone to let you scan to your heart's content.

Observos

The "Internet of Places"? Observos is an attempt to create a network of environmental sensors, letting users monitor things like temperature, pressure and humidity wherever the devices are placed.

Radiator Labs

They're not the flashiest entrants this time out, but the team at Radiator Labs is looking to improve on an outdated technology that affects many of our lives. The team has created a box to help apartment-dwellers control their radiators in their own location, rather than relying on their landlords to entirely control the temperature.

Snapzoom

The zoom on your smartphone not quite doing the trick? Daniel Fujikake and Mac Nguyen have created a "universal" adapter to add a telephoto lens to smartphones.

Smartknob

Smartknob is a keyless lock for your front door that can be controlled via the internet.

Smartpulse

smARTMAKER's smARTPULSE is an open-source health monitor that can communicate with Android devices (with more OSes coming) via Bluetooth to monitor the wearer's heartbeat and oxygen levels.

Ziphius

Ziphius is a mobile device-enabled aquatic drone with first-person control. Its owners are planning on opening their device to third-party apps and augmented reality games.

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By: Unknown On 10:50 PM

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