We recently wrote about Zyxio, a startup that has developed a proprietary technology called SensaWaft that lets people control computers via air flow. Basically Zyxio’s technology enables anyone to control a mechanical device, or a mouse pointer on a screen, or whatever, by blowing. How hard you blow, as well as minute differences in direction, are converted to commands.
The variety of products that could use the technology are endless. With that in mind, the startup launched a contest, BeAMindBlower, to crowdsource new product ideas and will fund development of the most innovative product ideas that are submitted. Today, Zyxio is announcing the winners of the contest after narrowing down the top 25 ideas in December.
The winners are Chris Raynes, for his idea to dramatically enhance game immersion for first person shooter video games; Paul Jones, for applying the SensaWaft technology to e-books, allowing users to flip and zoom pages touch-free; MengSheng Chen, for giving musicians and singers control over sounds and other effects hands-free while performing live; Anthony Balzano, for using SensaWaft to better monitor meditation techniques with biofeedback; and Mike Murtha, for developing new digital brushes using SensaWaft to allow artists to express themselves differently.
The five winners will sit on the company’s “Mind Blowing Advisory Board” for a six month period to assist with the development of new products. They will also receive $6,000 and an all-expense paid three-day trip to Las Vegas.