IT Sligo to lead ‘Tech on the Wild Atlantic Way Express’ Hackathon

A team of hackers led by Institute of Technology, Sligo, will be leading a three-hour high-speed hackathon on a special ‘Tech on the Wild Atlantic Way Express’ from Connolly Station as it heads to the North West on Friday 12 October for a major Career Zoo event at The Model in Sligo.

The hack team will lead some of the brightest minds working in technology in Ireland in building exciting hacks to solve some pretty big challenges including public transport accessibility for the mobility impaired, surfing accessibility for the disabled, reducing plastic waste along the Wild Atlantic Way and using innovative technology to enhance Sligo tourism and heritage.

The special Irish Rail tech train is delivering its passengers to one of the biggest-ever tech and medtech recruitment events ever held in the North West. The Career Zoo ‘Tech on the Wild Atlantic Way’ is being held at The Model in Sligo on Friday October 12 to highlight the benefits of working, living and learning in the North West.

Passengers taking part in the 100kph hackathon will solve the challenges they face using STEAM; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths. The hackers’ final designs will be presented at The Model and will be further explored by IT Sligo researchers. Return train tickets can be bought here

Companies such as Boston Scientific, Abbvie, Ericsson, FRS and Pramerica are taking part in the Tech in the Wild Atlantic Way event – and some will be represented on the ‘Tech Express’.

During the train journey, IT Sligo will offer talks on Autonomous Driving, how good design can lead to happiness, and Social Robotics. IT Sligo is leading a pan-European project investigating how robots can assist in the care sector.

Passengers on the ‘Tech on the Wild Atlantic Way Express’ will meet ‘Paro’ a robotic baby seal, used by the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland as a therapeutic companion.

Other companies and organisations taking part in the Sligo event include Cora Systems, Abbott, Enterprise Ireland, VistaMed, FIT, Lionbridge, LiveTiles, Overstock and PPD.

Career Zoo has been running recruitment networking events for experienced STEM professionals since 2010.