FRANCE: Alstom and programming school Ecole 42 have announced the winners of the hackathon that was held in Paris on March 17-18 with the aim of developing apps for connected metros. The prizes were handed out by Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge and Ecole 42 Principal Xavier Niel.
The aim of the hackathon, in which 95 students participated, was to imagine the metro of 2030 by developing tools for ‘connected mobility that revolutionises passenger experience’. Alstom experts were on hand to answer questions and ensure the feasibility of the proposed projects.
The prize for best project was awarded to Lineo. The developers started from the premise that in 2030 passengers will wear connected glasses that will enable them to receive data on the metro service, including the occupancy rate of specific trains. The app would also allow the operator to collect passenger movement data, which could be used to adjust service levels.
The prize for best code went to Navoxi. The project proposes installing Bluetooth beacons in stations to optimise passenger flow and provide information to passengers’ smart phones when they are changing trains.
Alstom also invited three teams to continue developing their ideas and to present them at Alstom’s headquarters in a few weeks, with a view to developing them in an incubator.
Auto Wash would use robots to clean trains while they are waiting to turn around at termini. Save my place enables passengers with reduced mobility to reserve seats in advance. Liv’In Travel proposed to project information onto the walls and windows of trains during the journey.
