Amazing things happen when designers are given a set of constraints. To celebrate makers everywhere, high-octane sponsor Red Bull is running an online contest in which contenders face off against the ultimate constraint: time.
The event, called Red Bull Creation, is a 72-hour competition that will run in late July. Twelve teams will be given a theme and three days to make something. When it's all over, judging will begin. The top teams will be invited to the 2012 Maker Faire in New York. Also, there's a $10,000 cash prize (so you can buy more power tools).
This is the second time that Red Bull has run the event, and this year brings some pretty big changes. Last year, the marathon of creation was held in Brooklyn and the teams competed side by side. This year, qualifying teams will have the home-turf advantage. Each team will be able to build in their own workshop, while Red Bull livestreams the process as it happens.
The other big change is a shift in tone. Last year's footage had a heavy junkyard-wars bent and emphasized the thrill of competition. This year's event feels more laid back, with an emphasis on the joy of creation (on a schedule) -- it's a shift we can get behind.
Wanna throw your router in the ring? Register at the official website. Red Bull will send you a Bullduino -- a customized Arduino board. Make something cool with it and you'll be on your way to the main event.
If you aren't planning to compete, click through anyway and enjoy the official site's retro OS stylings.
This is going to be fun.
