Machine Builder Competition

If you are a winner, we will contact you directly via email to arrange the shipment of your prize.

Participants who receive free hardware and do not submit a project may be ineligible for future giveaways unless the hardware is returned.

If you receive free hardware and become unable to submit a project, please contact us at help@hackster.io and let us know as soon as possible. We may choose to arrange for the hardware to be shipped to another participant.

To be eligible for judging, you must meet ALL of the following requirements unless otherwise stated:

General Requirements

• You must be registered as a participant for this contest.
• You must create a Hackster account.
• Your entry must be your own original work.
• Your entry must be a new project or new variation of an existing project.
• Your entry cannot have been selected as a winner in any other Hackster contest.
• Your team is no more than 5 members per entry.*

*By entering a submission to this contest on behalf of a team, you acknowledge that you are the designated representative authorized to act on behalf of your team. (See full rules below for details)

Hardware Application Requirements

Note: If you choose to submit an application for free hardware, you must meet the following requirements. If not, continue to 'Hardware/Software Build Requirements' below.

• Your hardware application must be submitted via the online application form found on the contest page’s “apply for hardware” tab.
• Your hardware application must be written in English.
• As described in each Prize Category your hardware application design must include one of the following: Nordic Semiconductor nRF7002-DK, Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 DK, Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi, Particle Photon 2, and/or Particle Boron.
• Your hardware application must be submitted by Jan 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.

Hardware/Software Build Requirements

• Your project must be a machine.
• Your project must include an enclosure for the electronics.
• Your project must include the required hardware for the Prize Category.

Project Documentation Requirements

• Your project must include a project name, project description, cover image, bill of materials (BOM), full instructions, images, and relevant resource files (schematics, code, CAD).
• Your project must be written in English.
• Your project must be submitted by Apr 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.

Your project will be evaluated based on the following criteria for each Prize Category:

Innovation and Creativity (20 points)

• Originality of the concept.
• Uniqueness in design and approach.
• Creative problem-solving methods.

Technical Excellence (20 points)

• Complexity and sophistication of the machine.
• Quality of engineering and construction.
• Effective use of technology and materials.

Functionality and Performance (20 points)

• How well the machine performs its intended function.
• Reliability and (in)efficiency in operation.

Documentation and Presentation (20 points)

• Clarity and thoroughness of project journey and documentation.
• Quality of visuals: images, videos, and diagrams.
• Accessibility of information for others to learn or replicate.

Use of the Required Hardware (20 points)

• How well is the distinguishing features of the hardware leveraged in the project.

BONUS: Use of Autodesk Fusion (20 points)

• Clarity and thoroughness of design steps.
• Quality of visuals: images, videos, and diagrams.
• Accessibility of source files for others to learn or replicate.

BONUS: Use of PCBWay CNC, 3D Printing, or PCB services (20 points)

• How critical is the mounting, enclosure, or other PCBWay service is to the solution.
• How effective is the design and use of materials.

• Machine Builder Grand Prize ($3,707 value)

• The Swiss Army Knife Award Winner ($849 value)

• The Most Likely to Attract Aliens Winner ($849 value)

• Most Likely to Start a Robot Uprising Award Winner ($849 value)

• The Why Did You Even Build This? Award Winner ($469 value)

• The Tiny & Shiny Award Winner ($799 value)

• Where Did It Go? Award Winner ($799 value)

Step 1: Register for the Contest

• Start by creating a free account on Hackster.io (or sign-in if already a member).
• Register for the contest by clicking “Register as a participant”.

Step 2: Build and Document Your Project

• Build your project according to the submission requirements.
• Document your project build using Hackster’s project template. To create a new project, click “create new project” on the contest page or the “+” symbol in the top right corner of your Hackster page.

Step 3: Review and submit your project

• Review your project and make sure it meets all the submission requirements.
• Upload a previously created project by clicking “add existing project” on the contest page.
• Submit your project by Apr 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT by clicking “review and submit project” on the contest page.

Free devices winners will be announced by February 7, 2025. The list of winners will be visible on the Apply for hardware tab.

Contest winners will be announced on April 25, 2025. The list of winners will be visible on the main page (Contest brief).

These are the Specific Contest Rules (“Specific Rules”) that govern participation in the Machine Builder Competition (“Contest”) organized by Hackster.io, an Avnet community (“Hackster”), and sponsored by Nordic Semiconductor (hereinafter referred to as the “Sponsor”) in relation to any individual (hereinafter referred to as an “Entrant”) who enters, attempts to enter or in any way participates or attempts to participate in this Contest.

In these Specific Rules, “we,” “our”, and “us” refer to Hackster and/or the Contest Sponsor. “You” and “yourself” refer to an Entrant. The full rules for this Contest also include the Official General Contest Rules (“General Rules”) posted at https://www.hackster.io/contest-rules and all eligibility, requirements, and judging criteria recorded in the “rules” tab of this Contest page. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between the General Rules and these Specific Rules, the Specific Rules shall control.

Contest description:

This is a skill-based contest brought to you by Hackster.io and sponsored by Nordic Semiconductor, Autodesk, Particle, and PCBWay ("Sponsor"). For the purposes of this contest, each idea you submit will be called a “hardware application” and each project you submit in the contest will be called an “entry”. All eligible entries received will be judged using the judging criteria above to determine the final prize winners.

Eligibility:

You are eligible to enter if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are at least 18 years of age, or the minimum age of majority in your place of residence at the time of entry.
• You are a citizen of and reside in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States or Vietnam.
• You have a verified Hackster user account.
• You are not involved in the execution or administration of this Contest.
• You are not a Hackster, Avnet or Sponsor employee or an immediate family member or household member of a Hackster employee or otherwise engaged in the execution or administration of this Contest.