La Trobe University > Research > Research centres and institutes > Centre for Technology Infusion > old-Centre for Technology Infusion > Grand Challenge > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find some of the commonly asked questions about the Technology Infusion Grand Challenge. If you have any additional questions please email grandchallenge@latrobe.edu.au

How can I participate?

To participate, form a team of three to five participants and register your interest. Registrations open 1 October 2022 and close 10 January 2023.

What are some examples of problems that might be addressed?

Below are some examples of smart city initiatives that may give you some inspiration:

  • A smart navigation glove for motorcyclists embedded with Bluetooth technology connected to mobile phone navigation apps help reduce road accidents caused by the use of mobile phones by motocyclists. This innovative solution was developed by the 2019-20 Grand Challenge winners.
  • A Korean city implemented smart water meters, which today double functions as a social health alert: family of people who haven’t used water in two days are sent an alert.
  • The blood bank in Amsterdam uses smart heat exchange systems to ‘store’ the cold from their water system in the winter, in order to keep blood cool in summer.
  • Melbourne can get hot in summer and its tree health sensors measure the water needs and co2 conversion of the trees, the city council maintain the foliage that protects the city.
  • A hamburger chain implemented smart gas meters, to warn them when a bottle was about to go empty, but they also found that they hadn’t been receiving full gas tanks all the while, generating significant savings.

How can I win? What is the judging criteria?

The final judgement criteria will be:

1. Validity of the problem being solved (25%)

  • How well is the problem defined and supported?
  • Have the risks and opportunities of the concept been identified and assessed?

2. Originality and impact of the solution (25%)

  • How unique is the solution?
  • Impact: Is it an incremental improvement or transformative solution?

3. Engineering/IT excellence of the prototype (25%)

  • Degree of technical difficulty in building the solution
  • Its functional excellence for the end-user(s)

4. Commercialisation potential of the solution (25%)

  • Commercialisation potential demonstrated by clarity of an exit strategy if this was a start-up initiative.

Keep in mind, that at the end of the challenge, even though each criteria will be weighed equally, a high score in engineering excellence is a prerequisite: and a working prototype is a requirement that cannot be compensated by the other factors.

What are the key dates and deadlines?

Part 1

Applications: applications for this round will open on 1 October 2022.

End of first semester video submissions: due March 2023

At the halfway point of the Technology Infusion Grand Challenge, the top teams who will receive investment will be announced. Teams who do not win an investment at the halfway point will be given specific feedback and encouraged to push their concept and solution harder. They will be considered for the final judging if they demonstrate significant progress. A letter of support acknowledging your participation signed by the Head of Department of your Institution is required before the transfer of the investment award to selected teams. Teams moving forward without an investment are also required to provide a letter of support.

Part 2

Submission of final project: October 2023

Final event: To be confirmed (November 2023)

Is there a participation fee?

No, participation in the challenge is free.