One of the upcoming technology developments that stands to change various aspects of wireless communication is 5G. Communications company Verizon thinks the technology will have a substantial impact on areas such as education, and will enable to development of new augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) apps and hardware. To encourage this, Verizon are launching the Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge.
Verizon and NYC Media Lab have teamed up to launch the Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge, a contest to create 5G-based education solutions that incorporate mixed reality (MR), including VR and AR or machine learning, with a total of $1 million (USD) on offer.
The company is inviting education technology non-profit organisations,, such as research groups or universities to send in proposals for technology solutions which use 5G as a basis to assist under-resourced schools.
Challenges that successful entries will need to overcome include unengaged students, the need for STEM expertise among teachers and educators and supporting students with special needs. Entrants will need to pitch a solution which uses 5G in combination with AR, VR or artificial intelligence (AI).
“When we think about the youth in this country and what is needed to prepare students to be competitive in an increasingly tech dependent world,” said Verizon chief corporate social responsibility officer Rose Kirk, “we need to change the educational opportunities and the trajectory of the lives of a lot of students. 5G will open doors in the classroom we can’t even imagine yet, which will ultimately give students the power to be more successful, more engaged, and give them access to higher education and new career paths.”
Submissions will be accepted from 15th October through until 30th November, and can be sent through the 5G EdTech Challenge website. The submissions will be judged by a panel selected by Verizon and NYC Media Lab. The ten most compelling entries will receive $100,000 each, and access to Verizon’s 5G network and training resources.
For future coverage on developments in AR and VR technology, keep checking with VRFocus.