Montreal's Felix Lorsignol is among 20 finalists for this year's James Dyson Award for student design, for his Research In Motion-based smart phone for children.
Dubbed the BlackBerry Peer, the proposed device is mainly aimed to exploit the camera of a BlackBerry-based smart phone with colourful covers to attract youngsters. An intuitive interface should encourage youngsters to use the camera to explore the world. The software would include apps that make it easy to play with images with filters and special effects.
But it also has wireless connectivity so parents can keep in touch with their children if they wander away.
Toronto's Michal Prywata and Thiago Caires were also among the finalists for their proposed artificial limb.
The award, founded by British vacuum-cleaner inventor James Dyson. The International winner will be awarded the equivalent of CDN$16,000, plus another $16,000 to his or her university.