In late September, in partnership with the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) and the University of Michigan, NSIN hosted Michigan-area innovators at the University of Michigan for a three-day hackathon event.

The hackathon, “Into the Dataverse”, was held September 20-22, 2019, at the FXB Building at the University of Michigan North Campus, in Ann Arbor, MI.

Winners awarded $45K to develop AI-enabled maintenance data solutions

ANN ARBOR, MI (September 10, 2019) —

In late September, in partnership with the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) and the University of Michigan, NSIN hosted Michigan-area innovators at the University of Michigan for a three-day hackathon event. The hackathon, “Into the Dataverse”, was held September 20-22, 2019, at the FXB Building at the University of Michigan North Campus, in Ann Arbor, MI.

The event gathered entrepreneurs, developers, designers, members of the military and venture communities as well as student hackers from the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State, and Lawrence Tech for the weekend to explore innovative methods to support data collection through the development of an AI-enabling user interface to produce more accurate maintenance logs. Prizes totaling $45,000 were awarded to the top three teams.

The winning solution concepts included:

  • VADER – a voice activated data entry system which allows maintainers to log activities hands-free in real time as easily as they can talk to a smartphone. VADER is built by taking audio from a microphone and extracting information to then link documentation and schematics for maintenance technician reference. For more information about this concept: https://devpost.com/software/honeybadger-r13qbp
  • Keyword: Data – this concept proposed a system that is voice driven and interactive for the benefit of the maintenance technician. The anticipated benefit of this solution is that it would generation a higher quality of data by focusing on human-centered design. For more information about this concept: https://devpost.com/software/keyword-data
  • SCRIBE – an acronym for Systemic Contextual Recorder with Intelligent Blending of Elements, this concept is an artificial intelligence video and audio assistant designed to eliminate forms and obtaining clean and structured data obtained from the maintenance technician. For more information about this concept: https://devpost.com/software/scribe-ezrgdh

For details on all the solutions, log onto the event Devpost: https://nsin-into-the-dataverse.devpost.com/rules.

The panel of judges on Sunday, September 22, 2019, included:

  • Lt. Gen. John “Jack” Shanahan, Director, JAIC
  • Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Myron Hohil, Senior Associate for AI, Weapons and Software Engineering Center, Combat Capabilities Development Command – Armaments Center (CCDC/AC)
  • Vicki Selva, Deputy Director, Michigan Defense Center
  • Brig. Gen. Chad Raduege, Director of Cyberspace and Information Dominance, and Chief Information Officer, Air Combat Command
  • Paula Sorrell, Director, University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute
  • Terry Wilson, Technical Director, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Lab