Students to Develop Urban Mobility Solutions Using AI

FARMINGTON, Conn., September 10, 2024 /3BL/ - Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the speed, accuracy and scale at which complex challenges are addressed. Over the next several months, more than 250 students from dozens of schools representing more than 15 countries and territories around the world will participate in the Made to Move Communities challenge to propose innovative ways AI can improve urban mobility. They’ll be guided by volunteer mentors from Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company.

“We believe that the next generation of innovation will use AI to make moving in and around cities easier and more efficient for all,” said Randi Tanguay, Otis Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer. “Today’s students are growing up as AI technology matures. They are actively engaged and quickly developing the skills to effectively use and apply it. With their innate curiosity and imagination, combined with the guidance of expert Otis volunteer mentors, I can’t wait to see the solutions these students come up with.”

Why AI According to the World Bank, more than 56% of the world population currently lives in cities, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 70% by 2050. The current pace of rapid urbanization and global population growth has the potential to strain urban infrastructure, resulting in increased congestion, pollution, and inadequate public transit. These challenges can be even more acute in underserved neighborhoods and for people with special needs.

“AI is already reshaping transportation. It's enabling self-driving cars, optimizing traffic flows, and even helping drones deliver packages and medicines to those in need,” said Ezhil Nanjappan, Otis Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “As we stand on the brink of the AI revolution, I’m excited to bring this transformational technology to the Made to Move Communities program – to brainstorm solutions to the mobility issues of today and tomorrow, while inspiring young minds and helping to close the STEM skills gap.”

For the first time – a global winner

Since 2020, Otis' annual Made to Move Communities global student competition has engaged over 750 students and hundreds of Otis colleagues with the goal of addressing urban mobility challenges while sparking a lifelong interest in STEM. Participating schools have received nearly $1 million (USD) in grants from Otis to further STEM learning and programs in their schools.

Until now, students used to compete regionally, with a winning team selected in each of the four Otis regions. This year, for the first time, the four regional winning teams will compete in a final round to determine a global team champion. Student teams will need to share how their solutions to local challenges can be scaled globally, and the global team champion will receive an additional grant for their school.

Watch this video to learn more about Made to Move Communities and this year’s challenge: https://youtu.be/c1FwYeGhLp4 Visit otis.com/mtmc to learn more and follow Otis for updates from participating student teams.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide – the industry's largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world's most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.