Limerick-based 'cyborg' to present at education awards at University of Limerick

A LIMERICK-based 'cyborg' is set to host the TECS Awards at the University of Limerick (UL).

Denis Canty is lending a hand to the TECS Awards on Friday, January 17 – a hand that contains a chip which he uses to pay for things, access his workplace and store his medical information.

A biohacker and decorated leader in software and AI, Mr Canty introduced himself as a cyborg when her spoke to Ryan Tubridy a couple of years back on RTE Radio 1. He is now set to do a presentation at the TECS Awards in UL.

As a person who was willing to offer their own body in the research of technological advancement, "Mr Canty should fit right in at the TECS Awards," says John O’Donnell, who works with the Immersive Software Engineering programme at UL.

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Second-level students with an interest in technology, engineering, creativity and science were invited to submit projects in their field to the TECS competition. Entrants submitted progress reports in four weekly instalments.

The winners are the students who are judged to have made the most progress over the four weeks.

Projects submitted this year include a plastic sorting system for recycling centres, A 3D-printed Spotify controller, wearable communication devices to help deaf children in sport, and an AI piano teacher.

The first TECS Award ceremony was hosted by John Collison of Stripe at the University Concert Hall, while this year’s edition will take place at Kemmy Business School.

The TECS Awards is organised by the UL’s Immersive Software Engineering programme and the Patch summer programme, for talented young people who want to work on impactful projects and creative business ideas.