Farnell announces winners

Raspberry Pi and Farnell are celebrating their 10-year partnership this year. To mark the occasion, the companies were looking for the longest running applications. Now Farnell and Raspberry Pi announce the winners.

Farnell has announced the winners of a competition to find the longest running Raspberry Pi application currently still in use. A diverse range of long-serving embedded designs and other Raspberry-Pi-based systems were entered into the 6-week challenge.Three entrants successfully demonstrated the oldest applications currently in use. Each of the three applications were developed in 2014, including:  

• A home automation energy monitor and thermostat application based on a Raspberry Pi Model B+. The application ran as a server for various applications including controlling home heating, showing a smart energy meter monitor display, internet radio client and Christmas decorations.
• A Softball PiCam using a Raspberry Pi Model 1B to make a camera that would capture video of a softball player running to first base by detecting the hit and panning a PiCam. The system is triggered by a directional microphone placed near the batter.
• A traffic congestion monitor using a Raspberry Pi Model B that checks motorway traffic and sends a notification to the user’s phone if there is a problem that would cause delays when going to work or returning home.

Other creative entries included a blood pressure sensor interface based on Raspberry Pi, a smart home security camera system and an automatic lawn and pond watering application.The latest range of Raspberry Pi products and accessories are available from Farnell in EMEA, element14 in APAC and Newark in North America.