DARPA Network Challenge Inspires Artists, Tech Professionals, Students and More.

Mutual Mobile, an Austin, Tex,-based mobile applications development company, launched an iPhone application, “Army of Eyes,” that makes it easy for iPhone users to snap a geo-coded picture of any red balloons they spot.

“It’s really a case of ‘get out the eyes,’” he said. “We need as many people as possible, in as many places as possible, to be aware of what’s happening on Saturday.”

Hopefully, if someone sees a balloon they’ll remember Project Red Balloon and report its location to them. Lautenbach said each person who submits a winning coordinate has the option to keep $1,000, but they hope each participant will choose to donate the money to charity. For some tech professionals, the challenge is an opportunity to hone their skills and get their name out.

Mutual Mobile, an Austin, Tex,-based mobile applications development company, launched an iPhone application, “Army of Eyes,” that makes it easy for iPhone users to snap a geo-coded picture of any red balloons they spot. Mickey Ristroph, co-founder of the company, who previously competed in DARPA competitions, said, “This kind of challenge makes the most sense on mobile devices.”

People will be on the road, or on foot, when they spot the balloons, he said. It’s easier for potential participants to submit information immediately via smart phone than wait to go home and sit at their laptops. Their incentive? To win $2,500 if they are the first to submit an accurate location. (Ristroph said Mutual Mobile won’t keep any of the winnings.)

Having successfully developed and launched dozens of iPhone applications previously, he said his company was well-positioned to get “Army of Eyes” into the App store and into the public awareness. The application went live Wednesday and so far has been downloaded about 8,000 times.