The first round of Foxconn Technology Group’s Smart Cities, Smart Futures competition prompted 325 entries from students, faculty and staff at higher education institutions in Wisconsin.
Foxconn announced earlier this year it would provide up to $1 million in awards over three years through the competition, soliciting entries from the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin technical colleges and private colleges and universities.
Entries for the first round were submitted in October and up to 100 winners will be selected to receive a $500 cash prize and an invitation to the competition’s second round. Around $200,000 in prizes will be awarded over three rounds of competition.
Submissions in the first round included ideas to use technology to address challenges in education, health care, transportation and housing, a company press release said.
Alan Yeung, Foxconn director of U.S. strategic initiatives, said the company is committed to making a positive impact in the state.
“We foster this culture of innovation and provide a platform for students, faculty and staff from academic institutions across Wisconsin so they can bring their innovative ideas to life. This competition not only cultivates a new generation of innovative talents throughout Wisconsin, but also connects people to the emerging technologies of the AI 8K+5G ecosystem at the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant,” he said.
Foxconn says it will not assert intellectual property rights related to any ideas, concepts or solutions within the scope of the competition, according to the initiative’s website. The company does advise entrants it is their responsibility to secure intellectual property rights to their work prior to submitting ideas. The company is reserving the right to use ideas after the competition for its own benefit and will negotiate licensing rights prior to use with those who have previously secured IP rights.
Foxconn is partnering with a number of groups including the UW System, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Wisconsin Technical College System, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Technology Council, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., WiSys Technology Foundation, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and UW-Milwaukee Research Foundation for the competition.
A panel of 50 judges from the organizations has been selected to evaluate the entries. Each entry will be evaluated by four judges and assigned a score based on six criteria. Winners will be announced by Dec. 11 and invited to compete in the second round, which will run through January.
