A team of students from the University of Washington finished in the top three of the 2020 Imagine Cup, Microsoft’s global technology competition for student developers. The finals played out during a video presentation as part of Microsoft Build, which kicked off Tuesday.
Team Tremor Vision presented its idea for a web-based tool that enables physicians to detect early-onset Parkinson’s disease and quantitatively track patient progress throughout a prescribed treatment plan.
PREVIOUSLY: UW team imagines a better Parkinson’s test, lands in finals for Microsoft student competition
The team is made up of students Janae Chan and Robert Minneker, both fifth-year seniors studying bioengineering and computer science at UW, and Drew Gallardo, a fourth-year senior studying informatics.
Tremor Vision was one of six teams remaining in the 18th annual competition, which attracted thousands of students from around the world with innovative solutions to key societal issues. Teams advanced through hackathons, online semifinals, and virtual regional final events.
The winning team was Team Hollo from the University of Hong Kong who developed a mental health companion web app leveraging Azure analytics and AI services to advance youth therapy practices. Hollo won $100,000, a mentoring session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and $50,000 in Azure grants.
The other runner-up was Team Syrinx from Japan, makers of a wearable medical device that restores the ability to speak for those who have lost their voice.
Because of global health concerns due to COVID-19, the competition switched to a virtual format during the inaugural Build digital event.
The teams presented their projects via Microsoft Teams and judges included tech innovator and leader Dwana Franklin-Davis, CEO of Reboot Representation; CyberCode Twins America and Penelope Lopez, young innovators who’ve participated in tech competitions around the world; and Microsoft President Brad Smith.
Teams were scored on innovation, technology, concept and feasibility as well as new criteria this year — accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
“This is an opportunity to see people and creations that change the world,” Smith said in a video of the finals. “I wish we were in the same room together, but it’s pretty amazing to all be connected together this way.”
