Maxis IoT Challenge shortlist winners to pitch prototypes for Smart Solutions

• 20 potential winners will now create prototypes of their innovative ideas in IoT
• Cash prizes of up to RM30,000 and potential seed funding of up to RM100,000

THE Maxis IoT Challenge (The Challenge), which was launched in May this year, has received overwhelming response from entry submissions, following roadshows in Penang, Kuching and Kuala Lumpur throughout the month of June.

The Challenge is a partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to promote the ecosystem development of IoT solutions among companies to spur the Malaysian digital economy.

It is the first of many joint initiatives that Maxis is undertaking to foster innovation for all Malaysians.

Tapping into some of the creative and passionate minds Malaysia has to offer, a shortlist of 20 potential winners have been selected, and will now be invited to a technical workshop, where they will collect their IoT Challenge Kit to create their respective prototypes.

Categories that made it to the shortlist are:

Smart Cities : Nine finalists

• Traffic monitoring and management
• Saving lives with IoT assisted emergency response
• Modernised disaster management

Smart Manufacturing : 4 finalists

• Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
• Asset tracking for logistics management

Smart Agriculture : Seven finalists

• Plantation worker and harvester productivity tracking
• Heavy machinery monitoring
• Yield impact with precision agriculture

“When we introduced the Maxis IoT Challenge, our goal was to provide a platform for untapped talent to think about new ways to solve real life business problems using smart solutions, particularly in NB-IoT – whether it’s to make cities safer, improve yield efficiency for plantations, or improve manufacturing processes – there is an immense amount of opportunities in this technology.

“At Maxis, we remain committed to shaping and accelerating the benefits of IoT adoption for all Malaysian businesses, and championing Industry 4.0 initiatives in the country in line with the government’s digital economy agenda.

“I would like to thank all the applicants who have submitted their ideas, as well as congratulate those who have been shortlisted. We wish them the best of luck in the final round. These innovative ideas today could spark waves of positive change and impact entire communities in Malaysia in the future,” said Maxis chief enterprise business officer Paul McManus.

The Challenge is themed “Innovate our Tomorrow”, where the public were invited to unlock the potential of NB-IoT to solve real business problems in the areas of Smart Cities, Smart Manufacturing and Smart Agriculture.

It offers cash prizes of RM15,000, RM10,000 and RM5,000 for the Top 3 winners respectively, and potential seed funding of up to RM100,000 as well as mentoring support for promising pitches.

The final round will be held in August, where the finalist will pitch their prototypes to a panel of judges.