SEPTA for All: Augmenting Transit with Augmented Reality
July 2, 2021
The City of Philadelphia has announced SmartCityPHL’s new challenge - SEPTA for All: Augmenting Transit with Augmented Reality.
The challenge invites innovators to submit ideas that would use augmented reality technology to make public transit more welcoming, comfortable, and accessible to people with disabilities. Applications are due August 2, 2021.
SmartCityPHL is partnering with SEPTA and the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) to host the challenge.
Proposals can address any segment of a transit journey from trip planning through arriving at a destination.
Augmented reality combines digital and real-life content to enhance experiences. Philadelphia was one of three cities selected earlier this year to host an augmented reality developer competition. Support for the challenge is provided by US Ignite, Facebook Technologies, and Comcast. The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University has also provided support in shaping the event.
SmartCityPHL also invites people with disabilities to share their experiences with navigating public transit through a survey - available online through July 17, 2021. Survey results will help inform ideas and solutions for the challenge.
Survey results will be shared at the challenge kickoff event on July 19, 2021 to provide insights that can help innovators refine their ideas. Survey results will also be made available to the public.
The challenge will take part in three phases. First, an open application process will collect ideas and information about teams’ capabilities. Then, a judging panel will select up to 12 semi-finalists to present their ideas at a virtual pitch event. Up to six teams with the top pitches will move on to the final round and receive small grants to develop working prototypes of their ideas. Ultimately, winning teams will be chosen from among the six finalists to receive a total of more than $35,000 in cash prizes and pilot their idea with SEPTA and the City.
Prospective applicants can find more information, including application and timeline, at phila.gov/septa-for-all. All events are open to the public.
