Nokia has launched its sixth annual Nokia Open Innovation Challenge (NOIC), an annual global competition that “seeks innovative technologies, products and solutions that can change the world.” This year the focus is on industrial automation and the industrial Internet of Things.
The competition is administered by Nokia Bell Labs in partnership with venture capital firm NGP Capital. Winners are given access to Nokia Bell Labs R&D resources along with opportunities to grow their businesses through joint partnerships with Nokia.
Bell Labs president and Nokia CTO, Marcus Weldon said the competition represented a tremendous opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs to work alongside Nokia Bell Labs researchers and others in Nokia to bring their ideas to life.
“Our team looks forward to working with competition winners to help create new technologies that will create unparalleled increases in efficiency through augmented intelligent devices, systems, platforms, and applications,” he said.
Companies accepting the challenge can submit their ideas until 6 September 2018. An international jury will then select the most advanced and innovative candidates to present their products or solutions at a final event to be held in early December at Nokia Bell Labs’ headquarters in Murray Hill, New Jersey.
Nokia says the winners would be given access to Nokia’s resources to help grow their businesses. Last year’s winners included smart clothing developer Continuum Technologies and Snaptivity, which enhances live sport fan experiences through AI-powered robotic cameras.
There are three prizes of $US100K, $US50K and $US25K. Nokia says judges will be looking for innovativeness, feasibility and scalability of the idea according to the category requirements and examples of Industrial IoT, and submissions will also be assessed for their joint business potential.
“We are looking for something which could solve simple or complex business challenges within any company, big or small, ie potential customers of Nokia. This should be something which could help enterprises or industrial companies take the next step in their digital automation journey: applications, solutions or products which would utilize the most advanced communication network.
Within the overarching theme there are s number of subthemes: Digital manufacturing and utilities; digital site: digital mobility and transportation; digital cities; digital life; automation & augmented intelligence.
Full details on theNokia Innovation Challenge website
