Phase 1 of the Challenge - The Ideation.

The Administration launched the Energy Data Initiative in 2012 to liberate data as a fuel for innovation while rigorously protecting privacy.  The primary fuel for the Energy Data Initiative is open data.  Open data can take many forms but generally includes information that is machine-readable, freely accessible and in an industry-standard format.  In particular, open data from the private sector made available to consumers may spur a uniquely scalable degree of innovation.  For example, enabling energy customers to securely access their own household or building energy data — via a “Green Button” on their utility website — has fueled the next generation of energy efficiency products and services.  Within this context, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is launching the Apps for Vehicles Challenge. 

The Challenge seeks to spur and highlight innovations from vehicle-generated open data.  The data streams are diverse, but generally include text-based information on things like engine speed, brake position, headlights on/off, and distance covered since restart. This vehicle data has long been available to mechanics and technicians using specialized equipment.  But by applying open data principles, individuals will be able to readily access this on-board data directly through Bluetooth, USB and other standard hardware. Associated platforms will enable vehicle owners to provide this data to authorized third-party developers to create and then deliver new apps, products, and services.  As a result, these third-party developers will help Americans while also creating jobs.

Phase I of the Challenge will cast a wide net to gather compelling ideas, business plans, product development plans, and very-early-stage products.  These different options for Submissions shall be referred to as “Ideations”.

$16,000 in prizes

To enter, Contestants and Teams must follow all of the instructions in the Rules of the Challenge (link above).

• Potential Impact
  Each Submission will be rated on the strength of its potential to help individuals, organizations, and communities make informed decisions to improve their fuel efficiency.
• Creativity and Innovation
  Each Submission will be rated for the degree of new thinking it brings to applications for the transportation sector, and the creativity shown in designing for impact.
• Use of Open Vehicle Data
  Each Submission must make use of open vehicle data. Judges will be looking at both the depth of usage for each data stream and the breadth of different data streams that are integrated. (More criteria in Rules document.)
• Plan Viability
  Each Submission will be rated on the completeness of the Ideation and the evidence – such as can be demonstrated by documented/demonstrated experience – that the Team’s proposal can actually be created in the remaining time period of the Challenge.