Gravity Challenge launches in Adelaide

Australian innovators are set to use space data and capabilities to try to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems as part of Amazon Web Services and Deloitte’s Gravity Challenge.

The six-week competition, launched yesterday in Adelaide, will see teams from universities, start-ups and established companies use space data, technology infrastructure, analytics and machine learning to create digital solutions to real-world business problems.

These problems came from organisations in a range of industries, including transport, insurance, mining, government, health and the environment.

Deloitte Australia Head of Innovation Jason Bender believes space data can help crack “almost any problem facing an industry”.

“We have a number of really interesting challenges to tackle over the next six weeks. One is focused on optimising airspace in high-density air zones, aiming to improve the use of airspace in Australia’s busiest flightpaths. Another is focused on monitoring environmental and ecosystem restoration projects, aiming to prevent biodiversity loss across Australia,” he said.

Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Head of Solutions Architecture for Australia and New Zealand Public Sector, Simon Elisha, said cloud technologies would also be an important tool for challenge participants.

“The accessibility of cloud technology is opening doors for organisations of all sizes, including start-ups, government agencies and universities to develop innovative solutions by allowing them to ingest large volumes of space data quickly and securely,” Elisha said.

“Through AWS, the Gravity Challenge innovators are able to access and analyse data from space, experiment with technology and develop ideas to tackle some of Australia’s biggest challenges both in space and on Earth.”

Winners of the challenge will receive trophies and have the opportunity to pursue commercial arrangements with the organisation they’ve developed the business solution for.

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