Alexander Derek-Rein, research assistant in the Software Systems Engineering Research Group, achieved the third prize in the category “World Citizenship” at Microsoft’s Imagine Cup Germany finals. The team competed with their Windows 8 app “Energy Inspector” which yields to reduce people’s energy consumption. The idea was driven by the assumption that people make smarter choices in case they have more and better information. Hence, “Energy Inspector” visualizes raw data generated by energy sensors to its users. Moreover, the app is able to communicate with so-called actors such as light or heating. As an example, users are able to switch the light off from within the app.

On top of that, “Energy Inspector” incorporates an achievement and high score system which enables users to compete against peers. Adhering to certain rules such as not turning the lights on and off too often, rewards the users with points. At the same time, users lose points if they misbehave e.g. forget to switch the light off. More information can be found here.