DENVER (KDVR) — Voting is now open for the fourth annual Coolest Thing Made in Colorado People’s Choice Award, and the finalists bring a variety of high-tech inventions to choose from.
Colorado is famous for some of the historical inventions here, such as Jolly Ranchers, the parking boot, the popularized tampon applicator, the first aluminum beer can, the slopper burger and more.
Coloradans continue to bring innovative technology to the table every day, so the Colorado Chamber of Commerce holds the competition every year to celebrate “the vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry across the state.”
This year’s finalists include everything from medical research equipment, electric tractors and trailers, smart glasses that detect social cues and more things that could impact the future.
Here is a brief overview of the finalists, according to the chamber website:
- AE.1 Cosmos,
- By Lightship in Broomfield
- First all-electric aero-electric travel trailer with a 77-kilowatt-hour battery and rooftop solar panels that create a fully self-contained power system.
- AIEye, by HapWare in Golden
- Wearable bracelets and glasses with assistive technology that translates nonverbal communication cues such as facial expressions, gestures and body language into discreet haptic feedback for people who are blind, low vision or autistic.
- Austere Remediation Unit (ARU-10T)
- By Austere Environmental in Golden
- Cleans 10 tons of diesel-contaminated soil per day, removing 99.99% of pollutants and recovering the diesel for reuse.
- Autonomous Nano Tractor (ANT)
- By Barn Owl Precision Agriculture in La Junta
- Fully electric, self-driving mini tractor that handles precision row-crop tasks like weeding, targeted spraying and planting support.
- Clarity-1
- By Albedo in Broomfield
- First commercial, very-low-earth-orbit satellite to capture 10-centimeter visible imagery and 2-meter long-wave infrared data in a single pass.
- InnovaFlex Arrays
- By InnovaFlex Foundry in Colorado Springs
- Complex electrical systems built on glass or flexible materials that enable the measurement or application of electrical signals. It has many uses, including one that allows researchers to study how human tissue responds to pharmaceuticals or treatments.
- Laser Maze Challenge
- By Funovation in Longmont
- Interactive attraction where players navigate glowing laser beams, racing against time in three unique game modes that test agility, speed and strategy.
- Spectra Optia Apheresis System
- By Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies in Lakewood
- Industry-leading platform for therapeutic apheresis, cell processing, and cell collection, capable of separating and returning blood components while targeting specific cells for treatment or research. First introduced in 2007 and now used in over 125 countries.
- The Narwhals
- By Apex Cool Labs in Boulder
- Portable cooling devices designed to quickly reduce core body temperature by targeting specialized vasculature in the palms. Used by professional athletes, firefighters, construction workers, and others exposed to extreme heat.
- Vertical Hydroponic Farm
- By FarmBox Foods in Aurora
- Uses patented vertical farming technology inside upcycled shipping containers to maximize growing space while minimizing water and energy use in solar-capable, climate-controlled farms.
Voters can choose up to three products to vote for once per day until voting closes on Oct. 6. Votes can be submitted online.
“The People’s Choice award is one of the most exciting parts of this contest as it gives Coloradans the chance to support their favorite products from local businesses across the state,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “These finalists showcase the creativity and innovation happening in Colorado, and we’re excited to see which product will stand out as this year’s People’s Choice!”
The Colorado Chamber will announce the winners of the People’s Choice award and the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado during an awards banquet on Oct. 23.
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