About

This was a competition for teams to develop a “KMi-coffee-pot-ready sensor” with an online presence and alerts via Jabber, with a deadline of April 30th and a real prize for the best solution. Participants were encouraged to use public-domain software solutions and to bring various skills such as hardware, software, technical writing, and web design.

The project stemmed from efforts to enhance the presence of physical devices on the network, following similar work done with KMi printers. The goal was to integrate the coffee pot into the Jabber network, providing real-time updates on its status. Inspired by D.J. Adams’ work using Lego Mindstorms to monitor coffee machines, the team explored different approaches to solving challenges, including network isolation, data capture, and presence broadcasting. Proposed solutions included wireless webcams, infrared sensors, weight sensors, and fibre optic bundles.

Participants had a budget of up to £250 for extra hardware, with KMi covering the costs. A working solution, including a web page for non-technical viewers, was required by April 30th. Trials and judging by the KMi Management Board began on May 1st, assessing robustness, false alarms, interference, and clarity of explanation. A prize worth at least £100 was awarded to the winning entry. Purchases were facilitated, with an emphasis on early ordering to allow time for software development.