Car manufacturer Ford and drone maker DJI launched a contest on Tuesday called the DJI Developer Challenge for startups developing drone-to-vehicle communications technology that can be used by the United Nations in disaster zones.
The companies are looking for products that would enable drones to send information to the cloud and a vehicle equipped with Ford’s Sync AppLink or OpenXC, two platforms that enable smart devices to be controlled through a touchscreen in the car.
The surveying system would ideally enable first responders to generate a map with survivors of earthquakes or tsunamis in areas that are inaccessible by vehicle. The winning company will receive $100,000.
The challenge is part of Ford Smart Mobility, an initiative that seeks to tap into the connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, data and analytics and customer experience sectors. Ford hopes to also adapt the technology to other industries such as agriculture, forestry and construction.
Ken Washington, vice-president of research and advanced engineering at Ford, said: “At Ford, we are driving innovation in every part of our business to help make people’s lives better.
“Working with DJI and the United Nations, there is an opportunity to make a big difference with vehicles and drones working together for a common good.”