Stay updated with breaking news from Blaze hackathon. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
University of Hawaiʻi A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa-led innovation to aid in the fight against wildfires reached the finals of a national hackathon competition. Team leader Marc Ivan Manalac, a third-year computer engineering student, and three other college students in the U.S., created a plan for a long-range outdoor fire detecting system in just two weeks. Manalac’s team was one of 10 finalists out of more than 450 entries in the “Beat the Blaze” competition hosted by the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). Although his team did not win one of the three $15,000 top prizes, Manalac still hopes to apply for other funding opportunities to further develop the technology for use in Hawaiʻi. ....
Marc Ivan Manalac, a third-year computer engineering student, and three other college students in the U.S., created a plan for a long-range outdoor fire detecting system in just two weeks. Manalac’s team was one of 10 finalists out of more than 450 entries in the “Beat the Blaze” competition hosted by the National Security Innovation Network ( NSIN). Although his team did not win one of the three $15,000 top prizes, Manalac still hopes to apply for other funding opportunities to further develop the technology for use in Hawaiʻi. Tech to combat wildfires Wildfires are common in the U.S., including Hawaiʻi, especially during the summer months in dry brush areas exposed to strong winds. The competition challenged participants to increase the information sharing capacity and capabilities between the National Guard and emergency response agencies during wildfire operations. ....