PRESS RELEASE
Wanted: Innovative Ideas for Applications in Satellite Navigation
€20,000 grand prize Six special topic prizes from partners in research and industry First-ever ESNC University Challenge offering special prize to students
€1 million in funding and other start-up aid for entrepreneurs in 22 partner regions worldwide
The seventh European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) commenced its search for the best applications in satellite navigation at www.galileo-masters.eu.
Until the end of July, innovators all over the world will have the chance to develop their ideas for new products and services based on satellite positioning.In recent years, the ESNC has awarded ideas such as a real-time tour guide service for travellers; a satellite-based method for locating multiple avalanche victims quickly, precisely, and simultaneously; an integrated system for remote prenatal monitoring; a mobile, location-based game that turns players themselves into joysticks; and a system that combines satellite positioning with wind measurements and search-and-rescue dogs’ sense of smell.
Along with the grand prize – €20,000 and extensive support in realising the winning idea – this year’s competition includes six special topic prizes from partners in research and industry, the first special prize offered to students, and three prizes sponsored in cooperation with the European Network of Living Labs.
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T-Systems has joined with the European Space Agency (ESA) to award the GMES Masters prize to the best combination of dynamic earth observation data and satellite navigation. The two partners will help the winning team realise their idea in an innovation project.
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The European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) is looking for promising solutions for the GPS augmentation system EGNOS. It will grant up to 12 months of support to the best application at a European incubation centre of the winner’s choice.
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The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is offering €50,000 in consulting and development services in the field of “next-generation navigation,” which focuses on security-critical applications and ideas that combine bioengineering with navigation.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) will award a €10,000 innovation prize to an idea with the potential for fast, yet sustainable realisation at one of the four ESA Business Incubation Centres in Europe.
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NAVTEQ, the world’s leading provider of digital map data, wants to see participants’ ideas for innovative location-based services for mobile phones and navigation devices. The winner will receive 12 months in an incubation programme; free access to NAVTEQ’s data, content, and services; personalised support for technical issues; and €75,000 in advertising opportunities.
- The Forum for Applied Satellite Navigation and Mobile IT Baden-Württemberg (SatNav MIT BW) will award a prize for security-related solutions for the transport and logistics sector.
Meanwhile, the newly launched ESNC University Challenge is calling specifically on students and others involved in science to submit their creative application ideas. Rather than just those in aerospace-related courses, the corresponding prize is oriented towards young researchers in application areas ranging from automotive engineering, logistics, and development to mobile applications and healthcare. The winning team will have the chance to perfect their business plan over the course of 10 consulting days with a dedicated coach, and will also receive €8,000 in patent consulting from Awapatent. In addition, they will be presented with tickets to the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit 2011 and the ESA International Summer School on GNSS. For the first time, this year’s ESNC is also offering a special prize to users who test and validate products and services in Living Labs. The global network of 212 such facilities, which are dedicated to the principle of user-generated innovation, is providing participants with additional support in product development and, in particular, incorporating its experience in user-focused industries. Three €10,000 prizes are also up for grabs.
