Yes, that compo is still planned to happen  
 
It will start and be announced when the first prototype unit is finished - and will end end of January, when the new Pandoras will be delivered  
 
		 
That timeframe is way too short for anything useful and remotely finished to be produced.
And you don't want unfinished stuff to enter or win there, it will never get finished or will take a very long time, just have a look at past competitions.
Competitions are very good to spark contribution, creativity and motivation, people will get off their asses to produce awesome stuff. But the minute the competition is over that will be gone, because they took some extra time off during the compo to get stuff done and have no reason to afterwards.
That's not even intended malice, that's just how we work, can't really blame anyone for it.
Additionally there will be holidays in-between (maybe Christmas, New Year, The Three Saints, etc.), many probably don't want to or cannot work during that.
Bottom line, think about extending the deadline (which is not even fixed yet, I know  

  ), I like the idea of starting when more Pandoras have been delivered for obvious reasons.
Apart from that I am happy something will get started. As always, if you are in need of help, ED, feel free to contact me.