Transformative applications the result of Big Data Analytics

• Called for applications that will help the public in their daily lives
• Team Ukay Wizards took first place, followed by Team PeGIS and Team D8

BIG Data Analytics (BDA) continues to drive the development of innovative and transformative applications at the fourth National Big App Challenge, organised by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) recently.

Held in the Asean Data Analytics Exchange (ADAX) headquarters, the challenge called upon students, working professionals and entrepreneurs to develop applications that will help the public in their daily lives.  

The challenge, which kicked off in January with the first hackathon, University App Challenge – MMU, came to an end with the announcement of three winners.  Team Ukay Wizards took first place, followed by Team PeGIS and Team D8.

The grand prize winner, Team Ukay Wizards, developed an app that ensures parents and guardians are notified of the travel status of their child. The Malaysia Airlines Unaccompanied Minor App (MUM) is developed to assist Malaysia Airlines in providing a value-added service for unaccompanied minor travellers, and in the future, senior and disabled travellers.

“As more and more travellers, young and old, decide to explore the world, their families increasingly worry about them, especially on their safety. We developed the app to help ease the worry of families when their children, parents or grandparents are away on their adventures halfway across the world.

“The idea is to integrate with other platforms and system to create a safer travel ecosystem for children, senior travellers and disabled travellers. The challenge is a great platform by MDEC for young, bright talents from all over Malaysia to showcase their ideas and skills,” said Razman Sarit of Team Ukay Wizard.

First runner-up, Team PeGIS, had developed an app, named Love And Care, that caters to disabled individuals. The app aims to facilitate mobility amongst vulnerable users including senior citizens, children and disabled individuals thus allowing them to live a more comfortable life.

Not only that, the app also seeks to help the government provide better facilities for the target group.

Second runner-up, Team D8, developed an app that connects potential victims, such as undocumented workers, to relevant organisations through chatbot via an instant messaging platform.

“Malaysia is on the right track with the development of Big Data Analytics (BDA). The Big App Challenge initiative is part of MDEC’s effort to unearth hidden talent as well as spur innovation within organisations in the BDA and Internet of Things (IoT) space.

“By using hackathons as a platform and working alongside with various partners, MDEC is able to reach out to a wider audience, cutting across multiple industries to create the necessary ecosystem to drive BDA in the country,” said Ir. Dr. Karl Ng, director of Data Economy, MDEC.

“Our effort continues as we prepare for the next technological revolution – Artificial Intelligence. We seek to increase adoption and application of AI technologies in Malaysia. Through MDEC, Malaysia will develop a national AI framework which will be an extension of the BDA national framework.” he added.

Throughout the year, MDEC had endorsed 14 hackathons in the field of BDA and IoT that were organised by various corporations and organisations in Malaysia.

Team Ukay Wizard is one of the 28 solutions funnelled into the year-long challenge from various MDEC-endorsed hackathons throughout the year including MAB Hackathon, MyTraffic Hack and CIMB Data Science Challenge, all of which were aimed to spearhead conversation surrounding Big Data and Internet of Things.