A teenager who designed a technology that can turn any surface, such as a wall or whiteboard, into an interactive surface will represent Ukraine at this year’s Microsoft Imagine Cup competition.
CamTouch, designed by 16-year-old
Andrew Konovalenko from Stakhaniv School No. 15 in Luhansk Oblast, transforms
ordinary walls into interactive spaces using a projector and a laser pointer. Konovalenko
is improving the technology so that it will work simply as a touch screen.
He believes his invention could save
schools thousands of dollars, since the technology itself costs nothing to use.
“I believe that my invention is an
affordable way to teach students by using modern technology. I am pleased that
the school where I’m programming already is interested in using my program in
class,” Konovalenko told Microsoft event coordinators.
More than 100 of the brightest
student innovators from around the world participate each year in Microsoft’s
Imagine Cup competition, allowing them the chance to pitch their gadgets to
potential investors and take them “from concept to marketplace.”
This year’s competition will be held
July 8-11 in St. Petersburg, Russia. One overall winner, chosen by a jury of
technology experts, will be awarded $50,000.
But
Konovalenko doesn’t seem worried about the grand prize. He is happy just to
participate. “I am grateful for the chance to tell Microsoft about the idea on
an international level,” he said.
Kyiv Post staff writer can be reached at [email protected], or on Twitter at @ChristopherJM.
