DESIGN A SMARTER TEMPERATURE SENSOR WITH AI

A statewide challenge for students from all universities in Sonora

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The AI Sensor Challenge invites students to design a temperature sensor that uses artificial intelligence to optimize its performance and signal analysis.

Participants will receive free, hands-on training from experts in sensor design and AI, mentorship from academia and industry, and the opportunity to turn their ideas into real semiconductor solutions. The best teams will move forward into Semicon Desert’s startup programs.

Enrollment is now closed.
Thank you to everyone who signed up. We’re now moving into the Training Program phase. All updates will be shared through the participants-only WhatsApp channel.

A group of students working on electronic circuit projects at a table with various tools, notebooks, and a laptop displaying circuit diagrams.

Challenge Sponsor

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Ecosystem Collaborators

The emblem of Universidad de Sonora features an owl at the top, a book, a quill, a cactus, and a flame, with a yellow and blue background, encircled by a red border with the university's name and founding year 1942.
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HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

Open to students from any university in Sonora, as well as graduate students and recent graduates (up to two years). Fields of study may include:

  • Electronics

  • Mechatronics

  • Physics

  • Computer Science

  • Data Science

  • Systems Engineering

    or any related area in technology and innovation.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Hands-on design training using LTSpice for sensor simulation and modeling.

  • Practical applications of AI for signal processing and optimization.

  • Real collaboration with industry and academic mentors.

  • Experience designing solutions for real-world industrial needs.

CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

Teams of 1–5 participants will design and present an AI-enabled temperature sensor. The project will be developed through stages:

  • Training Phase: Two weeks of guided workshops in LTSpice and AI fundamentals.

  • Project Development: Teams create their conceptual design, simulation, and technical justification.

  • Evaluation and Final Presentation: The top five teams present to a panel of experts from academia and industry.

TRAINING PROGRAM

All selected teams will receive free, hands-on training before developing their project.

The training lasts two weeks (30 hours total, 3 hours per day) and combines circuit modeling with AI signal processing. Participants will learn to:

  • Simulate and analyze temperature sensors in LTSpice.

  • Apply AI techniques for performance improvement and signal conditioning.

  • Develop a validated proposal with mentor feedback to prepare for the project phase.

The training is taught by certified instructors and mentors from academia and industry.

Download Full Training Program →

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Projects will be evaluated by experts from academia and industry according to the following criteria:

  • Innovation and originality of the design — 20%

  • Integration of AI for signal processing — 25%

  • Industrial applicability and feasibility — 20%

  • Technical clarity and design validation — 20%

  • Presentation and teamwork — 15%

Teams will receive constructive feedback after the evaluation to support continued learning and development.

TIMELINE

  • October 27 – November 16, 2025

  • November 17 – November 28, 2025

  • December 1, 2025 – January 30, 2026

  • February 2 – 20, 2026

  • February 25, 2026

AWARDS & NEXT STEPS

  • The top three teams will receive financial prizes and official recognition.

  • All participants who complete the program will earn certificates of participation.

  • Selected teams will also be invited to continue developing their projects through the Semicon Desert Accelerator 2026, where they’ll receive mentoring, connections, and support to turn their prototypes into startups ready for the semiconductor industry.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For questions about the AI Sensor Design Challenge, you can contact the coordinators directly:

  • Dra. Aned de León — aned.deleon@unison.mx

  • Dr. Rafael Sabory — rafael.sabory@unison.mx