We're excited to announce our newest challenge with Presage!

The Presage SmartSpectra SDK Challenge runs November 4 to November 22. Build an experience with the Presage SmartSpectra SDK that responds to real-time human signals captured through a camera, such as pulse, breathing rate, HRV, or expressions. $3,000 in prizes across ten winners.

We'll select four overall winners and six prize category winners. Read on to learn more.

Our Prompt

Best Overall Human-Sensing Experience

Build a working experience with the Presage SmartSpectra SDK that responds meaningfully to real-time human signals captured through a camera.

 

Presage SmartSpectra SDK Challenge Submission Template

 

Prize Categories

Want another shot at a prize? Two prize categories are open to any submission that fits. You don't need to enter a prize category to be eligible for an overall winner spot. If you're entering one, note it in the Prize Categories section of the submission template.

  • Most Creative or Delightful Use: the most original, playful, or unexpected use of SmartSpectra
  • Best Thoughtful Real-World Use: SmartSpectra applied to a clear real-world need with strong usability, consent, and responsible data handling

Pro Tip: since prize category winners are drawn from a smaller pool of submissions, your odds of taking home a prize are meaningfully higher.

Note: Your submission can be eligible for an overall winner spot and both prize categories at once, but each participant may only submit one entry, and each submission can win only once.

Submission Requirements 📌

Each participant may submit one entry. Team submissions are not allowed, and participants must be 18+.

Every submission must:

  • Integrate the SmartSpectra SDK into a functional app and use at least one live Presage signal, such as pulse, breathing rate, HRV, or expressions
  • Include a DEV post, public code repository, setup instructions, and demo video (public hosting is optional)
  • Explain camera consent and data handling, and disclose any storage, sharing, retention, deletion, SDK telemetry, or optional AI service use

There's a Consent and Data Handling section in the template above. Submissions without it may be considered incomplete, so don't skip it.

Judges will verify SmartSpectra SDK use by reviewing your public code repository and demo video, so make sure both clearly show your integration and the live Presage signal(s) in action.

Not allowed: diagnosis or treatment claims, medical decision-making, or covert or non-consensual monitoring.

Judging Criteria

All submissions will be evaluated for:

  • Use of underlying technology
  • Usability and user experience
  • Originality and creativity

Prizes 🏆

Four overall winners from the "Best Overall Human-Sensing Experience" prompt will each receive:

  • $300 USD cash prize
  • DEV++ Membership
  • Exclusive DEV Badge

Three winners from the "Most Creative or Delightful Use" prize category will each receive:

  • $300 USD cash prize
  • DEV++ Membership
  • Exclusive DEV Badge

Three winners from the "Best Thoughtful Real-World Use" prize category will each receive:

  • $300 USD cash prize
  • DEV++ Membership
  • Exclusive DEV Badge

All participants with a valid submission will receive a completion badge on their DEV profile.

How To Participate

Publish a post on DEV using the submission template above and be sure to include the required challenge tag: #presagechallenge.

If your app requires logging in, please provide testing credentials in your submission and/or instructions on how to best test your application for judges.

Optional but encouraged: embed an agent session in your submission to show judges how you built your project. Upload your transcript at dev.to/agent_sessions/new from supported tools like Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex, GitHub Copilot CLI, and Pi. Sessions are unlisted by default, so hit Make Public before you publish, and check your transcript for keys and sensitive data first.

Please review our judging criteria, rules, guidelines, and FAQ page before submitting so you understand our participation guidelines and official contest rules such as eligibility requirements.

Getting Started With SmartSpectra 🚀

A note on credits: This challenge runs on Presage's free trial, with no extra credits provided. If you hit a limit, reach out on the Presage Discord.

Important Dates

  • November 4: Presage SmartSpectra SDK Challenge begins!
  • November 22: Submissions due at 11:59 PM PST
  • December 10: Winners Announced

Questions about the challenge? Drop them in the comments below.

Good luck and happy coding!