Boeing Innovation Challenge Submission Deadline: November 21, 2018, 12 pm Pacific Time Submit to: boeinginnovationchallenge@boeing.com Entry Form: see last page The Boeing Innovation Challenge is a competition created to inspire new ideas and advance the way we think about future air travel. Get a team together or innovate on your own to identify and describe new ideas in one of the following areas: 1. Disruptive Mobility 2. Passenger Experience 3. Operational Efficiency In order to be eligible, all students participating as individuals or in teams (of no more than four students), must meet the following requirements: An active student at Georgia Tech, and Be willing and able to travel to participate in a three-day follow-on phase* (or agree to release any intellectual property (IP) for usage in the next phase) Willing and able to sign a student agreement to define IP ownership in a follow-on phase, and be listed as co-inventor on any Boeing disclosures Note: Boeing is precluded form hosting citizens of Cuba, Iran, North Korean, Sudan, and Syria General Rules Each entry will be judged based on creativity, technical content, relevance, clarity/organization and potential for diversification. A one-page summary form is provided with all judging information and will be the only content used in the judging process. The top entrants will be offered the opportunity to participate in a Boeing-sponsored threeday Hackathon event at Boeing Commercial Airplane s development site in Mukilteo, WA. Students at this event will engage with winners from other participating universities to diversify and mature their prized ideas. The students experience will include a networking event to meet Boeing leaders and explore opportunities at Boeing, and culminate with teams making project presentations to senior Boeing leadership. Travel expenses for attendees will be paid by Boeing.
Topic 1: Improving the Passenger Experience Problem Statement: In current or future commercial air travel, how can we improve the passenger experience? Boeing is continually looking at ways to make the flying experience better for passengers, and aspires to delight passengers wherever possible, even within the realistic constraints of the cabin environment. While much of the air travel experience is typically inside the airplane, the total experience includes more than the in-flight segment of travel. From purchasing tickets to checking in, to making flight connections and picking up luggage, passengers must make many decisions and complete several activities to successfully get to their destinations. Passengers are big and small, young and old, agile and mobility-impaired, culturally diverse and vary in many other ways. Accommodating a large volume of passengers in a practical way for safe, efficient, comfortable and cost-effective travel can be challenging for airlines. (1) Describe in detail the next feature or service to make a step-change improvement to the passenger experience and the application of relevant technologies to bring that feature or service to market. Contrast to a feature or service that is currently available if one exists. stakeholders (e.g. costs, timeline, sustainability), and how the new system impacts them. If metrics for any individual stakeholders degrade, identify what mechanisms could address them.
Topic 2: Disruptive Mobility Problem Statement: How can innovative approaches can be combined with emerging technologies to create a more-efficient air transport system for the large-scale movement of goods and passengers? Cargo movement and large-scale people transport use complex systems and infrastructure, mostly evolved from the original approach. Incremental improvements have been made over time to address issues and wring out savings and efficiencies, but the system architectures are dated. Re-architecting the system, or just key elements, can enable dramatic improvements. It requires innovative thinking about hardware, software and processes throughout the system. Boeing will be at the forefront of finding the solutions that make this system better. New technologies and capabilities have enabled new products and new approaches for the transport of goods or passengers. Affordable connectivity has enabled new paradigms, such as ride-sharing. Affordable microprocessors and connectivity have enabled the Internet of Things (IoT). Autonomy, artificial intelligence and electric propulsion are developing at a record-breaking pace. Advanced manufacturing including 3D printing offers great promise. There is also interest in the idea of small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to revolutionize local deliveries and autonomous electric air taxis are out on the horizon. But approaches for large cargo delivery and large people movement have not changed much at all, with colossal terminals and administrative chokepoints and fluctuating progress throughout. We can surely move people and things better with the technology available. (1) Identify a mobility capability and define an innovative method that capitalizes on modern technologies and approaches. Clearly articulate the features of the system, and contrast to a system that currently provides this capability (if one does). stakeholders (e.g. costs, timeline, sustainability), and how the new system impacts them. If metrics for any stakeholders degrade, identify what mechanisms could address them.
Topic 3: Operational Efficiency Problem Statement: What new feature or service will make a step-change improvement to the operational and cost efficiency of air travel? Boeing will continue to be the industry leader in delivering the solutions that allow the airlines, lessors and freight transporters to succeed. Increasing reliance on the air transport system has led to increased traffic and other impacts. We need to develop new ways to improve on-time performance, lower operational costs and reduce the environmental effects of air travel. Most importantly, we must always ensure the integrity and safety of the air transport system. Each generation of commercial airplanes improves nearly every metric from economic results (efficiency) to operational performance (safety, speed, range, and capacity). Likewise, the environmental impacts of airplanes has improved across a range of parameters from noise to emissions. Commercial aircraft are among the most fuel-efficient modes of long distance transportation thanks to improved aerodynamics and efficient engines. When fuel costs are reduced, the savings can help reduce ticket pricing pressures or allow airlines to invest in new offerings. Other forms of efficiency that have improved throughout the history of commercial air transport include operations reliability including better on-time performance, faster turn times at gates and lower maintenance costs, increased range and speed to allow more point-to-point service allowing for better use of time, and crew size reduction as a result of increased automation. (1) Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and define changes necessary for implementation that capitalize on modern technologies and approaches. Clearly articulate the features of the opportunity, and contrast to current operations or results. stakeholders (e.g. costs, timeline, sustainability), and how the changes impact them. If your recommended improvement of operational efficiency result in degradation of the experience of stakeholders, identify what mechanisms could address them.