Your next great embedded device idea could net you $10,000 in cold, hard cash.

Intel’s “Connect This!” ideation challenge is now accepting user submissions for intelligent, connected device ideas. The best idea receives $10,000, and lots of other prizes will be given out along the way.

The impetus for this contest? According to Intel, “Various forces . . . are driving the need to tightly couple embedded devices and sensors with established applications.”

The result is the “4th wave” of the Internet—the Embedded Internet, which constitutes “a massive build-out of connected devices and sensors woven into the fabric of our lives and businesses.”

The impact of such an intelligent, connected device revolution is projected to spread into almost every industry, impacting all of us in our daily lives. According to Intel, “Devices deeply embedded in public and private places will recognize us and adapt to our requirements for comfort, safety, streamlined commerce, entertainment, education, resource conservation, operational efficiency and personal well-being.”

Intel is predicting that by 2015, 15 billion intelligent, connected devices will be on the market.* So the time to get in on the action is now.

Via the Connect This! site, developers and technology enthusiasts can share their idea for an improved or new embedded device, vote for their favorite user submissions, and discuss or embellish other user submissions. The goal is to create something that transforms the embedded market and could potentially transform the world.

The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 US & D.C., Canada, China, Taiwan, Germany, India and the UK. The deadline for submissions is 12/15/09. Register now at ConnectThis.intel.com