RIoT Demo Night draws strong crowd to browse IoT innovations

RALEIGH — The All Things Open conference stayed busy well into the evening as more than 500 conference attendees and locals headed to the Raleigh Convention Center for this year’s RIoT Demo Night.

Now a fixture of the conference, Demo Night features exhibitions by dozens of local startups, businesses, government organizations, and partners in the innovation and IoT (Internet of Things) ecosystem. Started by a fledgling RIoT organization back in 2015, the event continues to draw in everyone from investors to curious spectators.

One of the most popular aspects of the evening is the attendees use of “LarryBucks” to invest in the companies of their choice. Named for Larry Steffann, a co-founder of RIoT, the LarryBucks are counted at the end of the evening to reveal the “winning” organizations receiving the most investment. Phase Dock, alumni of the RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) and builders of a “Workbench” system for single-board electronics have been the winner of the event for past two years.

This year they passed the torch to four juniors from Enloe High School, showing off their product SoberRide. Designed to be integrated into a car, the device will essentially breathalyze the driver and blocks the ability to start the car if the driver is above the legal limit. Other similar products are available; the SoberRide differentiation comes from retinal scanning and other sensors which can also ensures that the driver is the one actually being breathalyzed. The team is working to raise money to continue development and find opportunities to deliver the system for new and after market applications.

All Things Open returns to Raleigh with news and events

Standout Exhibitors

The startup MyMatR collected the most LarryBucks among the RAP alumni for their product that helps improve waste collection. The tool automates sorting of trash, diverting recyclables from landfills while collecting data and seeking to educate the public.

Trying out the Transfr VR systemThere was also plenty of interest in the VR headset being demoed by Transfr to illustrate the method behind their hands-on, simulation-based workplace training system. Attendees lined up to take their turn trying out different jobs – from working in a clean room to destroying an overpass – all from the safety of the conference center floor.

Other exhibitors included the larger local organizations  such as the Town of Cary, SAS, and Raleigh Founded, a RIoT partner for ten years. Also presenting was recent NC IDEA grant-winner CivicReach.ai. A full list of exhibitors is on the RIoT website.

The event kicked off with a keynote demonstrating innovation on the healthcare front. Bonny Morris, Vice President of Navigation at the American Cancer Society and Don Shin, the Founder & CEO of CrossComm, kicked off the show with the introduction of ACS CARES. This AI-powered mobile app helps patients and caregivers navigate the challenging world of treatments and medical jargon as the travel their cancer experiences. Designed by CrossComm, with the support of the American Cancer Society, the ACS CARES (Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support) app also includes human support, and connects patients to volunteers at pilot locations.

Tom Snyder: Who should regulate AI — the government or big tech?

Building Community

RIoT Demo Night draws strong crowd to browse IoT innovations 1

Phase Dock founders Barbara and Chris Lehenbauer speak with the Demo Night crowd.

The Triangle Connected+ Summit will be joining the All Things Open conference during Tuesday sessions, an inaugural effort set to benefit attendees of both events. The overlap also served Demo Night with an extra influx of audience members in town for the summit. Many of the Demo Night exhibitors are developing IoT technologies that can serve the development of “smart city” solutions, making the evening a natural draw for attendees of both events.

And many of those attendees came out for the event, filling the exhibitor floor and crowding tables. RIoT Executive Director Tom Snyder was enthusiastic about the event and strong turnout.

“We love the All Things Open community,” said Snyder. “Everyone is incredibly giving, to help early stage tech startups solving important issues in front of society. We could not ask for a better partner, helping to make our world a better place.”

The post RIoT Demo Night draws strong crowd to browse IoT innovations first appeared on WRAL TechWire.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top