Better world: Toyota is looking for ways that benefit community, equity, public safety and the environment.
Toyota is launching a new initiative called the Next Generation Mobility Challenge that aims to inspire and motivate US university students to help tackle some of the most pressing mobility issues facing communities.
"The Challenge reflects our approach of combining Toyota's know-how with the expertise of others, so that working together can lead to something greater than going at it alone," said Latondra Newton, chief social innovation officer, Toyota and chief program officer, Toyota Mobility Foundation. "We can't wait to see the results of the Challenge - from the mobility issues the students take on to the innovative solutions they dream up."
Presented as a competition and organised in partnership with non-profit organisation Net Impact, the Next Generation Mobility Challenge has at its core three key questions:
- How can we increase access to public transport for the elderly and disabled?
- How can new technology help people arrive at their destinations quickly and sustainably?
- And how can concepts like car sharing help build stronger communities?
"Most of us think of transportation as a means to an end, but the way we move from one place to another has profound effects on natural resources, community, and personal well-being," said Liz Maw, chief executive officer, Net Impact.
"Our members are excited to work alongside Toyota to imagine the future of mobility and transportation in ways that benefit community, equity, public safety, and the environment."
The competition will begin officially next spring at 15 US university campuses. Student teams will be invited to collaborate on a specific mobility issue with the goal of developing a potential solution focused on community, connectivity or sustainability.
At each campus, expert support will be provided and ideas will be judged and the strongest from each event selected for further consideration.
Campuses selected for the competition include those at Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University and University of California, Berkeley.
The ultimate prize will be a potential funding grant plus the chance to incubate the winning idea during a summer internship with Toyota and its partners.
The winning team will be announced in May 2016. — AFP Relaxnews
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