May the Darkness Be With You Event Invites You to Share and Explore Life & Tech Hacks

The Life Hacks and Innovation Fair is designed to spark new ideas, foster collaboration, and inspire everyone through hands-on engagement and inventive solutions for mastering the cold season.

Join the event as a participant to explore and be inspired, or step up as a hack contestant to pitch your own solution—solo or with a team, the Force is with you!

The “May the Darkness Be With You” theme draws playful inspiration from Star Wars, inviting you to channel your inner inventor, explorer, or Jedi as you tackle the season’s opportunities and obstacles.

The event is organised by the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ITEE) under the EU co-funded IKAPO project, which aims to boost innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth in ICT and related fields by connecting international students, researchers, and companies with real-world opportunities and expertise.

Categories for the Hacks

1. Automation
2. Connectivity
3. DIY Electronics
4. Energy
5. Health & Nutrition
6. Safety
7. Smart Home & Office
8. Wellbeing & Comfort
9. Community & Culture
10. Outdoors

Reasons to Be Inspired

• Show off your skills and creativity, whether you build on the examples provided or unleash your own imagination.
• Discover creative solutions and practical hacks for winter challenges—let the long nights and the “dark side” of winter fuel your imagination.
• Learn from others’ demos, pitches, and stories—and share your own.
• Experience the power of collaboration across disciplines and tech fields, and feel the Force of collective creativity.
• Meet like-minded people and company representatives who share your curiosity.
• Try out new tech, and immerse yourself in a vibrant, supportive community.

The most engaging and innovative entries for Life and Tech Hacks (see evaluation criteria below) will be rewarded with exciting prizes! Whether you’re submitting a life or a tech hack, your creativity and participation could earn you a spot among the winners.

Let the darkness inspire your brightest ideas — and may the prizes be with you!

Special Invitation to Companies

We warmly welcome companies to join the event as partners and contributors – free of charge!

Our key goal is to inspire visitors through active engagement and provide valuable perspectives on technology and innovation for the cold season.

Company participation opportunities

• Share insights into tech fields such as automation, digital connectivity, electronics, energy solutions, health technologies, safety systems, smart environments, wellbeing innovations, community engagement, and outdoor technologies – along with creative solutions that enhance homes and other spaces during the dark season.

• Inspire visitors with a 5-minute talk on stage, followed by a short Q&A session. Share your story, highlight your innovations, and spark curiosity by connecting with the audience around fresh ideas and forward-thinking solutions.

• Host a stand to showcase your innovations and solutions. Each booth includes electricity, and an optional screen is available to help you present your products, services, or ideas effectively.

• Join the jury – Company representatives are invited to help evaluate and select the winning life and tech hacks based on the defined criteria (see below).

• Start with lunch at 11:15 to kick off the day and enjoy afternoon coffee, refreshments, and pizza during the event at 12:00-16:30.

Message itee-community(at)unioulu.oulu.fi to tailor your participation.

How to Enter the Life & Tech Hack Challenge 2025

Students, researchers, and everyday innovators - showcase your bright (or dark) ideas!

Submit the details at: https://link.webropol.com/s/May-the-Darkess-Be-With-You

• Choose Your Hack Type:
  • Life Hack: A clever, practical tip or solution for everyday winter challenges (see examples below).
  • Tech Hack: An innovative use of technology to solve winter challenges (see examples below).
• Team up or fly solo: Join forces with others or take on the challenge independently – it’s up to you!
• Select a category: Pick one (1-10) from the above list.
• Lock in your idea: Pick one from the suggested list that sparks your interest – or go bold with your own original concept!
• Describe your hack: What (winter or everyday) challenge does it solve? How does it work? What makes it innovative? Keep it short, smart, and inspiring – even the smallest idea can spark big change.
• Connect with your audience: You’ll have a demo table and an optional screen to showcase your hack during the event on 21 November from 12:00 to 15:30 (set-up starts at 11:00 — the hangar bay doors open early!). Be ready to present your solution with clarity, energy, and Jedi-level confidence. Show off your creation, answer questions from curious Padawans and Masters alike, and highlight the innovation and impact that make your hack out of this galaxy.
• Plan and deliver your pitch: You will have 2 minutes to present your hack to the company panel / jury on stage — your moment in the spotlight before the Council. Compete for the top ranks and exciting prizes! Make your pitch sharp, memorable, and strong with the Force. (See detailed pitch instructions below.)
• Deadline: Finish your idea concept / prototype / demo by 18 November 23:59 to have it ready for the event on 21 November.

Tech & Life Hack examples for inspiration

Feel free to expand, combine, or innovate freely under any category. Let the darkness—and a touch of Star Wars spirit—inspire your ideas!

Tech Hacks (ideas)

1. Automation

UVM-Lite Verification: Test automation scripts for home lighting/heating.

• Keywords: Testing, automation, scripts
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “Simplified verification with open-source tools.
• Visitor engagement: Watch a test run and try editing a simple automation script to see instant feedback.

1-File MLOps API: Deploy ML models to predict optimal schedules.

• Keywords: Prediction, scheduling, ML
• Level: Advanced
• Sample Pitch: “Deploy an ML model in 1 Python file.”
• Engagement: Observe a model deployment and adjust a parameter to see real-time prediction changes.

2. Connectivity

RF Antenna Tuning Jig: Improve wireless signal for smart devices.

• Keywords: Connectivity, wireless, signal
• Level: Advanced
• Sample Pitch: “Optimized antenna length for +3 dB gain.”
• Engagement: Adjust the antenna and watch the signal strength meter respond immediately.

3. DIY Electronics

Clean Code Kata: Refactor code for smart home projects.

• Keywords: Reliability, code, refactoring
• Level: Novice
• Sample Pitch: “Reduced tech debt in 40 minutes.”
• Engagement: Refactor a small code snippet and see how automated tests confirm improvements.

Spec: PCB DfX Card: Design custom PCBs for winter gadgets.

• Keywords: Design, electronics
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “Checklist before your first PCB spin.”
• Engagement: Examine a PCB checklist and spot design improvements on a sample board.

4. Energy

Zephyr Tiny Telemetry: Use sensors to monitor air quality/light levels.

• Keywords: Monitoring, sensors, energy
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “We cut idle power by 35 % with deferred sensing.”
• Engagement: View live sensor data and toggle a setting to see power usage change.

Robot Idle PLC Saver: Automate turning off unused devices.

• Keywords: Efficiency, automation, energy
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “Smart sleep mode cuts idle energy 25 %.”
• Engagement: Activate a smart sleep mode and observe energy savings in real time.

5. Health & Nutrition

Smart Nutrition Tracker: Track vitamin D and hydration and set health reminders to stay well in winter.

• Keywords: Food, health, vitamins
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “Track your winter wellness—see your vitamin D and hydration at a glance.”
• Engagement: Try out a nutrition tracking app or demo a sensor that monitors hydration or vitamin D intake. See how reminders and data visualization can help maintain winter health.

6. Safety

Rust Secure OTA: Automate firmware updates for smart home lighting.

• Keywords: Security, updates, automation
• Level: Advanced
• Sample Pitch: “Safe firmware updates in one file.”
• Engagement: Trigger a secure update and watch the device confirm a safe installation.

30-min Threat Model: Assess risks in smart home setups.

• Keywords: Security, risk, protection
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “Mapped 5 top threats and mitigations.”
• Engagement: Participate in a quick risk mapping exercise and see instant threat visualizations.

Hands-On EMC Pre-mortem: Test and prevent interference in home electronics.

• Keywords: Safety, electronics, interference
• Level: Advanced
• Sample Pitch: “Prevented 3 failure modes before testing.”
• Engagement: Test a device for interference and observe the results on a spectrum analyzer.

7. Smart Home & Office

NFC Energy-Harvest Tag: Use NFC tags to trigger lighting/music.

• Keywords: NFC, automation, lighting
• Level: Novice
• Sample Pitch: “Tap to read — zero power, infinite data.”
• Engagement: Tap the tag with a phone and watch it trigger a light or notification.

8. Wellbeing & Comfort

Edge-AI Anomaly Detector: Detect unusual patterns in heating/lighting.

• Keywords: AI, comfort, detection
• Level: Advanced
• Sample Pitch: “Privacy-first device alert.” / “Detects abnormal sensor patterns at the edge.”
• Engagement: Simulate an anomaly and see the AI alert or adjust settings instantly.

Sales-Ready Demo: Build a demo for a smart winter wellness product.

• Keywords: Wellness, demo, product
• Level: Novice
• Sample Pitch: “Demo that sells itself with data.”
• Engagement: Interact with a wellness product demo and experience its features firsthand.

Printed Touch Poster: Create interactive posters for mood lighting/reminders.

• Keywords: Interactive, decor, touch
• Level: Novice
• Sample Pitch: “Turns any poster into an interactive surface.”
• Engagement: Touch the poster to trigger lights or sounds and see how interaction works instantly.

Thermal Jedi (GaN Buck): Optimize heating devices for efficiency.

• Keywords: Heating, efficiency, safety
• Level: Intermediate
• Sample Pitch: “Reduced ΔT by 10 °C with Jedi cooling tweaks.”
• Engagement: Feel the temperature change on a demo device and observe thermal readings.

Life Hacks (ideas)

1. Automation

Droid Duty: Use simple timers or routines to automate daily winter tasks, like turning on lights or pre-heating your home before you arrive.

• Keywords: Timers, routines, comfort
• Sample Pitch: “Automate your winter comfort—let routines handle the cold for you.”
• Engagement: Try programming a timer or routine on a demo device.

2. Connectivity

Hoth Network Beacon: Join or create local online groups to share winter tips, coordinate outdoor activities, or get support during storms.

• Keywords: Networks, groups, sharing
• Sample Pitch: “Stay connected—local groups for winter tips and support.”
• Engagement: Scan a QR code to join a local chat or event group.

3. DIY Electronics

Jedi Light Sabercraft: Build a simple DIY lamp or mood light to brighten up dark evenings using easy-to-find materials.

• Keywords: Lighting, building, creativity
• Sample Pitch: “Light up the darkness—DIY lamps for cozy winter nights.”
• Engagement: Snap together LED parts or press a button to see a DIY lamp light up.

4. Energy

Power Saver Protocol: Use power strips to easily turn off multiple devices at once and swap to energy-saving bulbs to cut winter electricity costs.

• Keywords: Savings, efficiency, lighting
• Sample Pitch: “Save energy, save money—simple swaps for winter efficiency.”
• Engagement: Switch between regular and energy-saving bulbs to observe differences.

5. Health & Nutrition

The Vital Force Awakens: Prepare easy Finnish winter recipes, remember daily vitamin D, and stay hydrated to boost your energy and mood.

• Keywords: Food, health, vitamins
• Sample Pitch: “Boost your winter energy with a simple Finnish soup and daily vitamin D.”
• Engagement: Taste a sample of a Finnish winter dish or see a vitamin D demo.

6. Safety

Rebel Reflector Shield: Stay safe and visible outdoors in winter with reflective tape, visible clothing, and smart route choices.

• Keywords: Visibility, protection, outdoors, preparedness
• Sample Pitch: “Stay safe and seen—reflective tape, smart clothing choices, and winter safety habits.”
• Engagement: Apply reflective tape, test its visibility, or discuss safe winter routes.

7. Smart Home & Office

Millennium Falcon Command: Use smart plugs or simple remote controls to make your home or workspace welcoming and warm before you arrive.

• Keywords: Remote, convenience, control
• Sample Pitch: “Arrive to comfort—smart plugs and remotes for a warm welcome.”
• Engagement: Use a phone or tablet to turn a lamp on/off from across the room.

8. Wellbeing & Comfort

Force Awakens Lamp: Try a sunrise alarm clock or light therapy lamp.

• Keywords: Light, mood
• Sample Pitch: “Wake up with light—feel the difference in your winter mornings.”
• Engagement: Experience a demo of a sunrise lamp or light therapy device for a minute.

Wookiee Warmth Wonders: Layer textiles, arrange cozy corners, and use sunrise lamps to create a warm, inviting atmosphere and support your wellbeing.

• Keywords: Warmth, textiles, coziness; Light, mood
• Sample Pitch: “Transform any space into a cozy winter retreat with layers and light.”
• Engagement: Arrange a cozy corner, compare different fabrics, or experience a sunrise lamp.

9. Community & Culture

Rebel Alliance Connect: Join local clubs, attend winter events, or learn about Finnish traditions to connect and feel at home.

• Keywords: Social, events, integration; Traditions, learning, belonging
• Sample Pitch: “Connect and belong—discover Finnish winter traditions and new friends.”
• Engagement: Sign up for a local event or chat with a club representative at a booth.

10. Outdoors

Hoth Expedition Layers: Dress in layers, use wool socks and waterproof boots, and try winter walks or sledding for fun and fitness.

• Keywords: Clothing, activity, adaptation
• Sample Pitch: “Master the cold—layer up and get moving for fun and warmth.”
• Engagement: Try on a piece of winter gear or test a sled on a small ramp.

2-Minute Pitch Instructions

Your Mission: You have 2 minutes to present your life / tech hack to the company representatives / esteemed jury.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, creativity, and ability to communicate bright ideas clearly and engagingly—just as you would in a real-world company setting.

How to Structure Your Pitch

Start Strong:

• Open with a compelling hook or story that highlights the (winter or everyday) challenge your hack addresses.
• Clearly state your hack’s name and its main purpose.

Demonstrate Innovation:

• Explain what makes your solution unique or inventive.
• Highlight creative approaches, technological stack, or features.

Show Functionality:

• Briefly walk through how your hack works.
• If possible, give a quick live demo or show key features in action / via PowerPoint slides.

Explain Scalability & Learning Value:

• Describe how your solution could be expanded or adapted for broader use.

Engagement & Presentation:

• Keep your energy up and engage your audience—invite questions or quick interactions if time allows.
• Use visuals, or props to make your pitch memorable.

Deliver a Clear Pitch:

• Summarize the value and impact of your hack in a concise, persuasive way.
• End with a strong closing statement that reinforces why your solution matters.

Star Wars Linkage (Bonus!):

• If your hack draws inspiration from the “May the Darkness Be With You” theme, mention it creatively.

Evaluation Criteria & Weights

Tech Hacks (Total: 100 points)

• Innovation and Creativity (25)
• Functionality and Technical Execution (25)
• Scalability / Future Potential (15)
• Learning Value (15)
• User Engagement & Presentation (15)
• Star Wars Theme Linkage (5)

Life Hacks (Total: 100 points)

• Practicality & Usability — 25
• Creativity & Originality — 18
• Impact on Well-being / Community — 18
• Accessibility & Sustainability — 12
• Presentation & Engagement — 12
• Pitch — 10
• Star Wars Themed Linkage — 5

Ready to join?

Sign up now and let the darkness inspire your brightest ideas—and may the prizes be with you! Enjoy tastings, demos, and a truly engaging experience!