ENGINEERINGTHE INVISIBLE
Build systems that sense the invisible world. A flagship Arduino embedded-systems hackathon where signals become solutions.
The INSPIRE Program
Where invisible signals become visible engineering.
INSPIRE ’26 is the flagship hackathon organised by the IEEE Solid‑State Circuits Society Student Branch at the American University of Sharjah. This year’s program focuses entirely on embedded systems engineering, tasking participants with designing intelligent solutions using Arduino kit and platforms. The event fosters next generation engineers including high-schoolers and undergrads to develop technical skills in the field of SSCS.
Sense the invisible
Temperature, vibration, light, motion, distance; capture signals the human eye can't see and give them meaning.
Build embedded systems
Program Arduino-based hardware into intelligent, responsive systems that act on the physical world in real time.
Solve real problems
Industry-driven challenges from the IEEE SSCS INSPIRE program push you to engineer solutions that actually ship.
ARDUINO UNO Q HACKATHON • INSPIRE ’26
Challenge Tracks
Choose your mission.
Four tracks across two divisions; each track presents a unique challenge statement, requiring participants to design and implement an Arduino-based embedded solution. Kits will be provided with training to help you get started.
University Track
UndergraduateSmart Manufacturing
Predict machine failure before it happens.
Design an Arduino-based embedded solution addressing a real-world manufacturing or industrial operations problem – monitoring, detecting, or responding to physical conditions in line with Industry 4.0.
Smart Aviation Systems
Improve safety and decision-making in aviation.
Use Arduino-based prototyping to improve situational awareness, safety, and decision-making across aircraft servicing, ground movement, and passenger/cargo operations.
High School Track
Grades 9–12 | Year 10-13Sustainable Cities
Build smarter, more sustainable urban infrastructure.
Develop smart sensing and automation solutions for resource management, public safety, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental awareness.
Museum Protection
Guard priceless artifacts with intelligent sensing.
Combine sensing, automation, and security concepts to help museums monitor and protect valuable artifacts from environmental change and unauthorized access.
The Hardware Kit
Everything you need to sense the world.
Every team receives a complete Arduino UNO Q kit. Pre-event Online Workshop Training will be provided to help you get started with the kit and its components.
Arduino UNO Q
The brain of every build
DHT11
Temp & humidity sensing
Ultrasonic
Distance & proximity
LDR
Ambient light detection
IR + Vibration
Motion & impact signals
Rain Sensor
Environmental changes
LEDs
Visual feedback output
Buzzer
Audible alerts
Mission Control · Sept 5, 2026
One day. One system. Full throttle.
- 09:00 - 09:30Check-in
Registration & Breakfast
- 09:30 - 10:30Keynote
Opening Ceremony
- 10:30 - 01:30Build
Hacking and Project Build Begins
- 01:30 - 02:30Refuel
Lunch Break
- 02:30 - 04:00Guidance
Build with Mentorship
- 04:00 - 04:30Deadline
Buffer Period for Submissions
- 04:30 - 06:00Demo
Team Presentations
- 06:00 - 06:30Evaluation
Judging and Scoring
- 06:30 - 07:00Celebrate
Closing and Awards
- 07:00 - 08:00Connect
Dinner and Networking
Scoring Dashboard
How you'll be judged.
Four dimensions define a winning system. Here's the HUD our judges use to evaluate every build.
Innovation
Originality of the idea and creative use of invisible signals.
Technical Execution
Quality of the embedded system, code and hardware integration.
Feasibility
Real-world viability and how well it solves the chosen problem.
Presentation
Clarity, storytelling and impact of the final demo.
Powered By
Backed by industry.
IEEE SSCS – AUS INSPIRE '26 Partners with Leaders
Sept 5, 2026 · AUS Rotunda
Join the hackathon.
Spots are limited. Bring your team, build a system that senses the invisible, and engineer the future at INSPIRE '26.
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