The 19th HOLTEK MCU Creative Design Competition took place on December 21 at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, drawing over 100 teams nationwide to showcase their technological innovation skills. Organized by HOLTEK Semiconductor and the STEAM Education Development Association, the competition featured three themes: Creative Product Design, Smart Innovation Applications, and Intelligent Control Applications. The event aims to encourage students to leverage microcontroller unit (MCU) technology to drive advancements in smart technology innovation.
Chung Yuan Christian University delivered an outstanding performance, with three teams winning a total of six awards, including one gold, one silver, one excellence award, and three corporate specialty awards. Among these, the Golden Zero Pokémon 2.0 team secured the gold medal in the Creative Product Design category, achieving an impressive four-year championship streak and showcasing the university’s strength in interdisciplinary integration.
The gold-winning project, Golden Zero Pokémon 2.0, was guided by Dr. Yu-Ping Liao from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Dr. Chang-Fu Shih from the Department of Commercial Design, bringing together the creativity and technical expertise of six students. Inspired by the need to address environmental pollution caused by burning ceremonial paper at temples, the team designed an eco-friendly electronic incense burner that also preserves cultural traditions.
The product incorporates MCU controllers and modules provided by the STEAM Education Development Association, featuring AR interactive functionality and simulated effects of flames, lighting, and smoke. Its sleek black-and-gold design combines modern simplicity with elegance, breathing new life into a traditional cultural artifact.
The Golden Zero Pokémon 2.0 team also won first place in the “Wireless Creative Application Award” by Xinhong Electronics. Team member Zhang Kai-Ni, a third-year electrical engineering student, shared, “From concept to completion, we applied what we learned to overcome numerous technical challenges, gaining invaluable experience along the way. This competition not only honed our professional skills but also broadened our horizons and fueled our passion for future innovation and exploration.”
Another team composed of students from the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Commercial Design earned a silver medal and second place in the Human-Machine Interface Application Award by UFirst Technology with their project, Smart Companion Pet Robot.
Designed with the daily needs of the elderly in mind, the robot features functions such as item retrieval, automatic following, and voice interaction. Its appearance, inspired by the Xuanwu—a symbol of longevity—blends practicality with cultural significance.
Chen Hao-Yang, a senior in the Department of Electrical Engineering, shared, “This cross-disciplinary collaboration taught us how to integrate professional knowledge and work toward shared goals, providing invaluable experience.”
Additionally, graduate students Hsieh Ming-Yu and Lee Chia-Chung from the Department of Electrical Engineering won the Excellence Award in the Smart Innovation Application category and first place in the Creative Vehicle Design and Smart Energy Storage Application Award by Avnet with their project, Smart Energy-Saving Guide Robot.
The robot integrates light sensors and temperature-humidity detection modules, powered by a solar energy system. It can autonomously adjust its actions based on environmental conditions, effectively reducing fire risks.
Dr. Chang-Fu Shih, a guiding professor from the Department of Commercial Design, emphasized that in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the integration of design and mechatronics is becoming increasingly critical. Through collaboration on such platforms, students not only acquire professional skills in cross-disciplinary communication, system integration, and practical problem-solving but also gain hands-on experience. They develop expertise in product development, teamwork, and market analysis, laying a solid foundation for future careers in the tech industry, product design, or entrepreneurship.
Dr. Yu-Ping Liao, a professor in CYCU’s Department of Electrical Engineering, expressed gratitude for the support from various parties and stated, “The students’ outstanding performance reflects the university’s dedication to cross-disciplinary collaboration and hands-on teaching. We look forward to cultivating more talents who excel in both creativity and expertise, contributing significantly to smart technology and sustainable development in the future.”
