Avnet community Element14 has teamed up with NXP to launch a design challenge centred around building automation for smart spaces.

This challenge invites engineers and tech enthusiasts to develop innovations using NXP’s FRDM MCX A series (A15X) development kit.

Ten selected participants will receive the NXP FRDM MCX A15X kit and will tackle a building automation problem. Suggested projects include smart temperature control system, Bluetooth lighting controller, attendance and presence monitoring, meeting room booking system, CO₂ monitor, and foot traffic monitoring system.

Applications are open until December16, and the chosen challengers will be announced on December 20. Participants will then have until March 7, 2025, to complete their projects and document their journey through blog posts on the Element14 community platform.

Challengers will compete for a range of prizes. The grand prize and runner-up winners will receive a Nest Home Automation kit, CCTV system and Multicomp Pro multimeters. To be eligible, participants must share regular updates and document their build process, culminating in a final showcase of their building automation project.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with NXP to inspire engineers and tech enthusiasts to push the boundaries of building automation,” said Andreea Teodorescu, director of product marketing at Element14. “This challenge provides a unique opportunity to leverage NXP’s advanced FRDM MCX A15X development kit and transform spaces through practical innovations. We look forward to seeing how participants bring their creative ideas to life, shaping the future of smart spaces.”

The online hackathon-style design challenge was officially launched on Element14’s stand at during last week’s Electronica show in Munich.

For more information and to register for the design challenge, visit community.element14.com/SmartSpaces.