Spatial Intelligence Ideathon

Interdisciplinary Ideathon + Student Pitch Competition Explore an emerging technology, collaborate with students from different fields, and develop a creative real-world application around a patented innovation. No previous AR knowledge or experience is required. 📍 Location: UW Tech Exploration Lab, 1403 University Ave, 2nd floor🎓 Open to: UW–Madison students👥 Team size: 2–3 students🍕 Food and drinks provided🏆 Cash prizes for top teams About the Event Join the UW Tech Exploration Lab, UW researcher Kevin Ponto, and ZaiNar for a one-day ideathon focused on Spatially Grounded AI for Augmented Reality (SGA-AR). Developed by Professor Kevin Ponto’s lab at UW–Madison, SGA-AR allows teams using AR devices to share a live map of a physical environment. The system can identify people and objects, display real-time annotations and navigation paths, and connect remote users to the same spatial view. Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants will identify a real coordination problem and propose a practical product, service, or application using the technology. No prototype is required. Teams will be evaluated on creativity, feasibility, impact, and how clearly they communicate their idea. The event will conclude with live pitches, judging, and an awards ceremony. Agenda 10:00–10:30 AM — Check-In and Team MatchingCheck in, meet other participants, and form interdisciplinary teams. 10:30–11:15 AM — Opening PresentationIntroduction to the technology, challenge, judging criteria, and event expectations. 11:15–11:30 AM — Brainstorming Begins 11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Lunch and Initial Idea Sharing 12:00–1:00 PM — Team Work Session 1:00–1:30 PM — Mandatory Team CheckpointsEach team will meet with Kevin to discuss its concept and receive feedback. 1:30–3:00 PM — Concept and Pitch DevelopmentRefine your idea, prepare slides, and practice your presentation. 3:00–3:45 PM — Final Presentations and Judging 3:45–4:00 PM — Awards and Closing Remarks The Challenge Develop an original product, service, or application using SGA-AR. Strong ideas should clearly explain: Teams may approach the challenge from a technical, business, design, research, social-impact, or interdisciplinary perspective. Presentation Requirements Each team will present its idea live during the final judging session. Hosted By UW Tech Exploration Lab The UW Tech Exploration Lab supports the next generation of startups emerging from UW–Madison by connecting students with real industry challenges and opportunities to experiment with emerging technologies. In Collaboration With ZaiNar ZaiNar develops advanced positioning and connectivity technologies that enable precise, real-time location capabilities across a range of applications. This ideathon is designed to help students explore how university research and intellectual property can become meaningful products, ventures, and real-world solutions.