Students prep for Microsoft competition

(l to right) John White, R. Kyle Eichelberger and Ben Tacket. (Back row) Dr. Sinan Kockara and Dr. Tansel Halic. Not pictured is Michelle Enfinger.

(l to right) John White, R. Kyle Eichelberger and Ben Tacket. (Back row) Dr. Sinan Kockara and Dr. Tansel Halic. Not pictured is Michelle Enfinger.

Team Bears Unlimited, a team of four computer science students, is going to St. Petersburg, Russia to compete in the Imagine Cup, which is sponsored by Microsoft.

The four students, John White, Ben Tackett, R. Kyle Eichelberger and Michelle Enfinger, developed the Bear Claw System. This is a glove outfitted with sensors to assist physical and occupational therapy patients at the hand, wrist, and forearm. The system uses a motion glove that communicates through a connected Windows smart phone.

The team will practice the presentation they plan to make in front of the Imagine Cup judges before University of Central Arkansas President Tom Courtway, university faculty and staff, and other students at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 in the Board of CLAW-0581Trustees room in Wingo Hall. Two or more members of the board may be in attendance.

If Team Bears Unlimited wins, the team will earn a $50,000 prize. More importantly, the Bear Claw System could potentially help thousands of physical and occupational therapy patients. Attached are the team photo, the team logo, and details about the Imagine Cup competition schedule. The team is scheduled to depart on July 6 from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. They will be accompanied by their faculty mentors, Dr. Sinan Kockara and Dr. Tansel Halic.