The Galileo-sponsored hackathon saw groundbreaking innovations from students across the country.

At this year’s all-virtual HackTheU student hackathon, sponsored by the University of Utah and Galileo, winning projects included a portable wearable device that automatically collects key patient data and a Venmo-inspired app that enables users to set up an account and transfer money between their digital contacts--all through voice-enabled Alexa.

During the two-day event--the largest annual student hackathon in Utah--students from the University of Central Florida were recognized as the overall winner of this year’s competition. Led by Liana Severo, Matthew Bautista, Joseph Orlando and Justin Bang, the UCF team developed Insights.MD, a portable wearable device that automatically collects key patient data--including heart rate, blood oxygen level and body temperature. Insights.MD also took home top prize for the “Best Hardware Hack.” 

Budget Buddy, a Venmo-inspired app that enables users to set up an account and transfer money between their digital contacts through voice-enabled Alexa, won the Galileo Challenge Award for the best hack created using the Galileo Instant API. The team--led by Clayton Schrumpf, Zane Slocum, Joshua Van Antwerp and Eric Young from the Neumont College of Computer Science--created a fun and simple way to send money to friends. 

Other lead contenders for the Galileo API Challenge included: 

• Donut Clock - An alarm clock that wakes you up in the morning by donating to a selected charity of choice if you fail to turn off your alarm.

• Galileo Basketball Webscraper - Connects Galileo's API framework with a basketball statistics website, basketballreference.com, to pay players based on statistics. The app transfers money from the player cardholders to coach cardholders for mistakes, such as turnovers.

• Welfare - An app aimed at helping people stay physically and mentally fit, whether you’re working out, meditating or donating to charity. Using Galileo’s API, the AI trainer counts your reps if you’re exercising, leads you through a meditation session or donates money to people in need.

• Go Teach Yourself - An online teaching app aimed at taking the load off overwhelmed instructors by enabling students to earn rewards for learning something new or helping each other learn.

• Infinity Heart Network - A social network inspired by GoFundMe.com that raises money for a particular goal and only releases the money once the goal is reached.

“As someone who spent a lot of my college years in the University of Oregon’s computer labs, I can attest that hackathons are some of the best catalysts for innovation and collaboration,” said Galileo CEO Clay Wilkes.“The hard work of these young developers is not only inspiring but motivating, because their ingenuity drives us to aim higher and think differently. When I think about the future of coding, I’m reassured knowing these bright young minds are waiting in the wings, and I can’t wait to see what they create.” 

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Wilkes and SoFi Executive Vice President Jennifer Nuckles, who drew on their experience creating and building successful companies.  

This is the fourth year Galileo has been lead sponsor of HacktheU.