The ninth installment of Hack Merced recently brought together 168 innovators focused on developing technology for the greater good. The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at the University of California, Merced, sponsored the "Health for Social Good" track, highlighting the intersection of technology, health and nutrition.
Team Foood emerged victorious in the "Health for Social Good" track with its groundbreaking image segmentation model. This tool allows users to take a photo of a meal and obtain detailed nutritional insights.
Team Foood's members, Liam Stelly-Hawkes and Julian Balbuena, both third-year computer science and engineering majors, said they spent the first five hours reading papers and brainstorming. "It's crucial to plan before diving into coding."
Their project represents a leap forward in nutritional technology, enabling users to snap a photo of their meal and receive detailed information about the different food categories present and an estimation of portion sizes and nutrient content.
Second place went to the Diabetes Risk Assessment Model, a project demonstrating the use of neural networks to assess health risks based on user surveys. Team members Gabriel Lee, Luis Fuiarte, Ryan Milstrey and Paul Stratton showcased the application of machine learning in health diagnostics.
HackMerced IX proved to be a platform for merging technology with creative solutions to address real-world problems.
HackMerced is an annual hackathon that encourages collaboration and innovation among students, professionals and tech enthusiasts to solve real-world challenges. The event promotes creativity, collaboration and learning within the tech community.
The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at the University of California, Merced, stand at the forefront of technology and innovation for social good. CITRIS at UC Merced fosters interdisciplinary research and collaboration to address pressing societal issues through cutting-edge technology. By leveraging the resources and expertise of the UC system, CITRIS at UC Merced is dedicated to advancing technology solutions that make a tangible impact on society, healthcare, the environment and beyond.
Contact:
Hanna Bartram
Managing Director, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UC Merced
hbartram@ucmerced.edu
