Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) show producer CMP Media presented the prestigious “Best of Show” award this evening to one of fourteen finalists which had been selected from among candidate applications submitted by the exhibitors at this week's ESC show in San Francisco. And the winner is . . .

. . . Elmic Systems, for its submission of the Vocera Communications System, a device which enables instant voice-activated communication among people within a building or campus-like setting.

The Vocera Communications System is described as a wearable clip-on wireless 802.11b device that recognizes spoken names, job functions, and groups locations. It reportedly provides call-blocking, call-screening “do not disturb” modes, and conference calling group messaging functions. Vocera is said to be ideal for use in hospitals, retail stores, and other in-building environments where mobile workers need stay in contact to perform their jobs.

Vocera's innovation employs Elmic System's embedded networking protocol stacks, which help facilitate and manage connections between access points. Specifically, Elmic's Turbo Treck DHCP automatically configures in real-time the IP addresses of the Vocera devices, while Elmic's Turbo Treck TCP/IP protocol is responsible for moving and verifying correct delivery of Vocera data.

The other thirteen finalists were (listed alphabetically) . . .

• Applied Data Systems — application: PAC Mate is a richly featured, easy-to-use full PDA for the blind.
• InHand Electronics — application: HMTM is a small, lightweight robot used for military and security applications.
• LynuxWorks — application: Skycam is a broadcast quality, robotic camera used for major sporting events such as the Summer Olympic Games, U.S. Open, NCAA's Final Four, ESPN's Sunday Night Football, and Super Bowl.
• Microsoft — application: The Exertris Interactive Bike combines the fun and addictive quality of computer games with the health benefits of exercise.
• MontaVista Software — application: Wakamaru is the first human-size robot to simulate a family member, a companion, or a house sitter.
• MontaVista Software — application: Philips Electronics' new iPronto is an intelligent universal control for the connected home.
• RM Michaelides Software & Electronics — application: CANview GPRS/GPS/Voice is a CAN to GPRS gateway that uses the TCP/IP protocol for communication via the GSM network. With the handset CANview GPRS also acts as a fully featured cell phone.
• STMicroelectronics — application: Essential Realities' P5 Glove is an innovative, glove-like peripheral device that can be used for video games, Web sites, and educational software.
• Texas Instruments — application: The Segway Human Transporter (HT) is the first of its kind self-balancing, personal transportation device that's designed to operate in any pedestrian environment.
• Wind River — application: The Redlake MotionXtra HG-100K is a network based, state of the art camera that is designed for capturing high-speed events in harsh environments.
• Wind River — application: Xanavi Carwings is a unique telematics system that makes innovative car-infotainment and telematics-enabled features accessible to the Japanese mass market.
• Wind River — application: agneti Marelli, an international leader in the design and production of high-tech components and systems for the automotive industry, has developed this new integrated navigation, communication and entertainment system, The Nucleo Info Telematico (NIT) for the Maserati Spyder.
• Xilinx — application: The Gibson Digital Guitar brings the 1930s technology of conventional electric guitars into the Digital Age, opening a virtually unlimited array of musical possibilities for guitarists.

Further details on these finalists, including photos, is available here.

 
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