Valeo is offering young engineers worldwide the opportunity to create the equipment that will make cars more intelligent and intuitive by 2030. Comprising teams of two to five people, engineering students can take part by presenting a relevant, innovative project in English. The aim is to stimulate the students’ creativity, enabling them to form multidisciplinary teams. In this way, engineering students can join forces with students in the social sciences or any other scientific discipline that they think could be useful for their innovation project.
The Valeo Innovation Challenge is part of Valeo’s innovation strategy, supported by the company’s annual Research and Development budget of over €1 billion. Innovation drives faster growth at Valeo, a technological partner to all automakers worldwide.
PHASE 1
Call for entries and registration
From October 17, 2014 to 12 noon CET on February 2, 2015
Students are invited to form teams of two to five people and submit their project by February 2, 2015.
PHASE 2
Prototyping
From April 1, 2015 to 12 noon CET on July 17, 2015
The 20 shortlisted teams will then be asked to create a mock up in the format of their choice(physical mock-up, application or other). Each team will be given €5,000 to put their idea into practice and build a functioning demonstrator.
After the jury has made its decision, the 20 contending teams will receive an email announcing the contest’s results, no later than September 1, 2015.
At the same time, a list of the six teams selected to present their project to the jury in Frankfurt will be announced on Valeo’s websites and on social media on September 1, 2015.
Project requirements
All projects must meet the following criteria and technical requirements:
The projects must be written in English.
Phase 1 – Project outline limited to six pages, illustrations (photos, diagrams) permitted, including a mandatory, concise one-page summary of the entire project.
Selection criteria:
– Boldness, innovation and originality (50%).
– Importance and relevance of the problem addressed and consideration of social needs (20%).
– Presentation quality of the submission (10%).
– Technical proficiency (10%).
– Feasibility of the prototype (10%).
Details will be available at: https://valeoinnovationchallenge.valeo.com
Phase 2 – Production of a prototype and/or other media (video, slideshow, flash animation, 2D or 3D images, etc.), as well as a written document not to exceed 20 pages. File types accepted:
– Standard office software (.xls, .doc, .ppt, .odt).
– 3D CAD files (Catia V5, NX).
– 2D CAD files (Autocad).
– 3D CAD design files (Allias).
– Video files (.avi, .mpeg).
– Audio files (.wav, .mp3, etc.).
– Image files (.png, .jpeg, .tif, etc.).
– PDF files (.pdf).
Selection criteria:
– Boldness, innovation and originality (50%).
– Importance and relevance of the problem addressed and consideration of social needs (10%).
– Presentation quality of the submission (10%).
– Technical proficiency (10%).
– Construction of the prototype (20%).
To start Phase 2 of the contest, the organizer will send specifications to the 20 shortlisted teams on April 1, 2015 describing the required format for the next round of project submissions.
The winning team will receive a €100,000 grant.
The second- and third-place teams will each receive a grant of €10,000. All entries must be submitted by 12 noon CET on February 2, 2015.
For more information you can visit VALEO‘s website