What is the Battlefield of Things Hackathon?
Battlefield of Things Hackathon is a two-day, hands-on innovation event. It will gather IoT professionals, hackers and makers, developers and designers, university students and researchers from across Belgium.
Your mission: work side by side with Belgian Defence experts to imagine, prototype, test and demonstrate concepts for next-generation non-lethal military IoT devices that will help Belgian Defence and our allies meet today’s real-world challenges.
Why should you join?
This is your unique chance to work closely with Belgian Defence staff, to understand the challenges they face, and to find new opportunities for technological solutions. Besides this, the Battlefield of Things Hackathon will bring together electronics engineers and software developers, user interface designers and data scientists, entrepreneurs and university lecturers – just think of what you can learn in one weekend!
Two winning teams will have an opportunity to take their prototypes to the next level with the support of Verhaert and Sopra Steria Benelux and present the results to Belgian Defence.
And, it will just be fun! A weekend at a genuine military base, with dozens of like-minded people and a few hard problems to solve – how can you say no to that?
The challenges
Belgian Defence and our allies are looking for next-generation military tech to help them face challenges old and new. The solutions have got to be simple. Cheap. Easy to use. And smart, very smart. We need your fresh perspective, your ingenuity, and your ability to think low-tech and high-tech at the same time.
Come work with us to solve these two hard real-world challenges:
Challenge 1: Surveilling the rainforest
Belgian Defence supports allied troops in Africa whose role is to protect national borders. The border region is vast, and soldiers are too few to deter rebel groups from infiltrating the country to profit from the riches of the area. Monitoring the rainforest is not a trivial challenge: distances are enormous, dense tree canopy prevents effective aerial and satellite surveillance, and there’s no cellular network.
Budget is scarce too: device cost should not exceed EUR 100. They should be made from standard, common, and cheap components, lightweight, and able to withstand heat and humidity.
This challenge has three sub-challenges:
Subchallenge 1: Collect
help border troops with rainforest surveillance by collecting data on human and vehicular movement with cheap, portable, ruggedised devices. Creatively integrate multiple sensors and communications features.
Subchallenge 2: Transmit
transmit data from sensor devices over long distance across the rainforest. Get creative with antennas, mesh networks, and anything else that comes to mind. Some data is better than no data, and no idea is too crazy to try!
Subchallenge 3: Display
help the troops take better informed decisions by designing user-friendly, clear interfaces to show sensor data. Keep in mind their limited tech: vintage laptops, cheap smartphones, and radio.
Challenge 2: Protection in urban combat
Urban combat poses unique problems:
- 4G backbone gets eliminated quickly, and standard comms frequencies are often jammed
- opponents move around our soldiers, below them through sewage tunnels, and above them over ceilings and bridges between buildings – they can be anywhere!
- Tracking allies is just as important as monitoring opponents
Your task is to identify critical information for urban combat and develop ingenious solutions that are:
- Light, small, and easy to hide
- Simple and cheap
- Integrate different sensors, both standard and unexpected
- Compatible with standard communications systems like ATAK
How you’ll tackle these challenges
You and your teammates will have just two days to imagine, prototype, test and showcase new IoT device concepts. So, stick to the basics: use standard components, build a proof of concept (nothing more), and get it to work.
You’ll have ESP32 boards, Raspberry Pi computers, Accelerometer, Seismic, Temperature, Light, Humidity, camera v1, PIR sensor – used in motion-activated lights (Passive Infra Red sensor), microwave radar, Ultrasound piezo sensor, I2S microphone, CO2 levels detector, Full-featured thermal cameras, GNSS, LoRa, NRF24L01 + Antenna – 1000m wireless comm, LD2420-24G – Radar human presence, JDY-40 2.4G Wireless Serial Port Transmission Transceiver, ESP32-C3 Development Board, Orange Pi Zero2 – 1GB, Raspberry Pi Compatible Cam – 5MP, Accelerometer K210. And many other materials!
Want to experiment with your own hardware? Bring it along!
And, if your concept impresses the Jury, you’ll have a chance to take it to the next level.
Develop your prototype after the event
Building a prototype over the weekend is fun, but turning it into a real product that can be used from the forests of Finland to the deserts of the Sahel? That will take serious know-how.
Great news: you’ll have this know-how at your fingertips. Two winning teams will tap into the technological expertise of Verhaert, a pioneering innovation company. Five days at Verhaert’s amazing lab with the full support of one of the company’s senior engineers – imagine how far you could take your prototype!
Both winning teams will also receive personalized coaching and guidance from Sopra Steria Benelux, a leading technology consultancy firm. With their experience working with militaries around the world, they’ll give you the strategic advice and practical insights you need to refine your project and navigate the path to scalability.
The real deal
To help you succeed, we’ve made this event as real as we can. You’ll work side by side with Belgian soldiers, one per team. They will share their experience with you to help you keep your project grounded in reality, and they will help you present your prototype to the Jury.
Our venue, the Vlasmeer Forward Operating Base, regularly hosts soldiers for training missions. You’ll be greeted by a real drill sergeant, sleep in the real barracks, and we’ve got a few other bits of real military experience in mind for you. Hackathons don’t get more immersive than that!
Who’s invited?
Battlefield of Things Hackathon is inclusive and diverse. We welcome participants from various backgrounds and with different levels of experience. If you have a different background and aren’t sure if you should join, just drop us a message.
Want to bring a team of friends and colleagues? Great! Just make sure everyone in your team signs up individually, and be ready to welcome new friends to your team.
Meet the experts
We’ve put together a group of outstanding experts who will guide and support you and your teammates throughout the event.
Maxime Pepi
Maxime Pepi is a Civil Engineer with a background in electronics and telecommunications from ULB (Université libre de Bruxelles). His extensive range of skills in the field of embedded electronics and his cross-functional knowledge provide him with a crucial advantage in designing system architectures and creating electronic schematics. This also enables him to lend support in the execution of most disciplines involved.
Alexis Hoge
Alexis Hoge, trained as an Electronics Engineer, has over 6 years of experience in electronic PCB design, specifically in creating schematics, and, most importantly, in PCB layout. Highly proficient in mixed designs, including RF/HF, analog, digital architectures, high-speed signals, and small to medium power supplies. Designing compact PCBs and product integration are tasks familiar to him. He also manages aspects related to component assembly and production implementation.
Nassim Versbraegen
Nassim Versbraegen has studied Computer Science (M.Sc.) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel with a focus on AI.
He is currently enrolled in a PhD at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, where his research is centred around the genetic origins of rare diseases.
Miro Svetlik
Miro Svetlik is a Futurist and creative thinker oscillating between software & hardware development. His main strength lies in product architecture and unconventional design choices. More than 20 years of experience in designing robust and secure systems. Likes to tinker with exotic OSses and is not scared of assembly.
Ann Peeters
Ann Peeters is a self-taught maker and former FabLab Coordinator. She loves bridging disciplines and people from different backgrounds in innovative spaces. She coaches students in Multimedia and Creative Technologies at Erasmushogeschool Brussels. Her main focus now is on Python Development.
Meet the jury
Two outstanding experts – one military, one civilian – will join our technology experts to decide which two teams will win the event and claim the prizes: Major-General Jean-Pol Baugnée, Aide de Camp to the King, Commander of the Land Component and Fleur de Belloy, Manager Defense & Security at Sopra Steria Benelux.
Major-General Jean-Pol Baugnée
Jean-Pol Baugnée, Land Component Commander and Aide de Camp to the King, is educated as a polytechnic civil engineer. In addition to his experience in the core business of Defence, i.e. operations and commanding combat units, he has a vast knowledge of acquisition and management of material resources. As head of Land Systems, he used to be responsible for all Defence land equipment, weapon systems and related ammunition.
Fleur de Belloy de Saint-Liénard
Fleur de Belloy, Manager Defense & Security at Sopra Steria Benelux, has 6 years’ experience in supporting the digital transformation in the defence sector. She worked 4 years on multiple assignments for the French Ministry of Defense and the French Armament Directorate on Big Data, 3D printing, Digitalisation of the Battlefield and IoT. She’s currently co-managing the Innovation as a Service Programme and an ongoing project for the Belgian Navy and CyberCommand.
Dany Robberecht
Dany Robberecht is a dynamic innovator and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in tech startups and leading strategic innovation. Specializing in emerging technologies like space materials and robotics, he creates deep-tech ecosystems in various sectors, fostering market adoption through startup support. As a sought-after speaker and mentor, Dany advises on innovation and guides businesses from ideation to launch.
Command Sergeant Major Stefan Verbeeck
Stefan Verbeeck, Command Sergeant Major of the Belgian Army, has a military background as a combat engineer specialized in mobility and counter mobility on the field.
He took part in several missions abroad in different functions including in the branch of operations and training.
During his career, he had the opportunity to work in the domains of people skills and materials management.
Lieutenant colonel Helena Bruyninckx
Helena Bruyninckx, Lieutenant colonel within the Belgian Air Component, is educated as a polytechnic civil engineer and obtained a PhD within applied science. She has 5 years of experience as research coordinator and focussed on developing tailored solutions for BEL Defence in the context of Cyber Security. Currently, as Head of Research at the Royal Military Academy she facilitates, and coordinates research funded through Defence and external funding sources.
Chief Master Sergeant Luc J. Braeken
Chief Master Sergeant Luc J. Braeken is the trusted liaison for enlisted personnel within the Belgian Air Force. Charged with safeguarding their welfare, discipline, and overall well-being, he serves as a pivotal advisor to the Air Force Commander.
In addition to coordinating ceremonial events on both national and international stages, Chief Master Sergeant Braeken plays an active role in various divisions of the Belgian Defense, including the Enlisted Personnel Advisory Council and the Belgian Defense Uniform and Decoration Advisory Council.
His dedication ensures the effective representation and support of all enlisted members, embodying the values and ethos of the Belgian Air Force.
Event schedule
Frequently asked questions
Q: Where will this take place?
A: At the forward operating base (FOB) Vlasmeer, a training camp for the Belgian Military near Leopoldsburg.
Q: How do I get to the base?
A: You can drive there, we have plenty of parking spots. Or, you can take a train to Hasselt where a shuttle bus will pick you up. Shuttle buses depart every 45 minutes and will take 45 minutes to get to the venue.
Q: Can we join as a team?
A: Yes, that is possible. Individually is fine too, then we match you up with people who have complementary skills.
Q: What materials will be available?
A: We will provide several components you might need to make your prototypes. This includes but is not limited to, the following components: ESP32 boards, Raspberry Pi computers, Accelerometer, Seismic, Temperature, Light, Humidity, camera v1, PIR sensor – used in motion-activated lights (Passive Infra Red sensor), microwave radar, Ultrasound piezo sensor, I2S microphone, CO2 levels detector, Full-featured thermal cameras, GNSS, LoRa, NRF24L01 + Antenna – 1000m wireless comm, LD2420-24G – Radar human presence, JDY-40 2.4G Wireless Serial Port Transmission Transceiver, ESP32-C3 Development Board, Orange Pi Zero2 – 1GB, Raspberry Pi Compatible Cam – 5MP, Accelerometer K210.
Q: Can I use my own tools and materials?
A: Of course! We’ll provide plenty of components and sensors and we’ll have some spare tools (such as 3D printers), but if you prefer to use your own tools, be our guest!
Q: Will I need to buy food while there?
A: No, catering will be provided.
Q: Will my dietary needs be met?
A: Yes, vegan/vegetarian/halal other options are available upon request – just indicate your dietary needs during the registration process.
Q: What should I bring along?
A: Any of your own tools you’d like to work with, whatever they may be. A sleeping bag and a pillow, a lock for the bedside locker, your toiletries (there’s hot shower, but no towels), and your favorite water bottle of course.
Q: Can I stay at a nearby hotel?
A: No, to really get the full experience we ask that participants stay the night.
Q: Is there a place to store my stuff securely at the base?
A: Absolutely. Each bed has a locker (do bring along your own lock, please). And, there’s the old armory
Q: Are there separate sleeping facilities for men and women?
A: Yes, there’s a separate – and very spacious – building allocated for women taking part in the event.
Register now!
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