Ford Motor Company is challenging developers to create innovative apps with the OpenXC platform that will help drivers easily access their personal fuel-economy performance data. Using OpenXC data and on-road personalized experiences, customers can share, compare and learn how to optimize their fuel usage.
OpenXC is an open source software and hardware platform created to pull data from a vehicle and use it like any other data source in a smartphone, tablet or Web application. Think of it as an application programming interface (API) to your car.
Don’t have a car or don’t drive a Ford? No problem. Using the OpenXC platform, you don’t need a Ford or a car to write and test an app! With just a computer and a network connection, you can access the required OpenXC data and start making vehicle-aware applications.
Apps must be functioning Web or Android native apps that use data provided by the OpenXC platform and must conform to In-Vehicle Approval Criteria from Ford for safe and nondistracting in-vehicle interfaces (if the intent is to use the app while driving).
Click “Register” for submission requirements and eligibility details.
Have a great idea for a fuel-efficiency app you'd like to use? Enter your idea in the Ford Personalized Fuel-Efficiency Ideas Challenge.
Eligibility
- Participants: Individuals (who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry); Teams of eligible individuals; Organizations (up to 50 employees)
- Large Organization Participants: Organizations with over 50 employees may compete for the non-cash Personal Fuel-Efficiency Recognition Award.
Requirements
Submitted apps should illustrate how driving style and other factors (such as weather and location) can affect fuel economy and should also empower drivers with knowledge about their personal fuel-economy performance in order to help them improve fuel efficiency.
Apps must be either functioning Android native apps that access data directly from the vehicle using the provided OpenXC platform libraries OR functioning Web or mobile Web apps that accept streamed OpenXC-formatted vehicle data over a network connection (e.g., TCP, HTTP) or use replayed trace data from a previously recorded drive.
- What to create: (1) a functioning Web or Android native app which uses data provided by the OpenXC platform (click for more info); (2) a Youtube or Vimeo video demonstrating your working app; (3) one or more screenshots of your app; and (4) a URL to access your app (if a Web app), or an uploaded .apk file (if a native Android app) for testing and judging.
- Platforms: Android native apps and Web apps that run on desktop or mobile browsers.
- New & Existing Apps: The submitted fuel-efficiency app may be newly created or preexisting. If the app existed prior to the start of the competition, it must not have previously used the OpenXC-formatted vehicle data and the submitted version must contain new features, implementation, or a combination of both.
Prizes
$49,000 in prizes
Best Overall App - Grand Prize
Best Overall App - Second Prize
Best Overall App - Third Prize
Honorable Mention
(3)
Popular Choice
Personal Fuel-Efficiency Recognition Award
Non-cash, recognition only for large organization submitters
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
How to enter
- Create a ChallengePost account and click “Register” to sign up for the challenge.
- Review the OpenXC site to get access to OpenXC-formatted vehicle data, important documentation, and OpenXC FAQs.
- Create your personal fuel-efficiency Web or native Android app using the OpenXC platform.
- If you submit a Web app, provide a URL where we can access your app for testing and judging purposes. If you submit a native Android app, upload your .apk file for testing and judging.
- Confirm you have read and agree to the Official Rules. Submit your app by completing the submission form with: a way to access your app (URL or .apk file), screenshots of your working app, and a video (YouTube or Vimeo) demonstrating your working app.
Judges

Paul Mascarenas
Chief Technical Officer and Vice President, Ford Research and Innovation

Venkatesh Prasad
Ford Senior Technical lead, Open Innovation

Mark Hatch
CEO, TechShop

Jim Farley
Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford

Nizar Trigui
Global Chief Engineer for Vehicle Energy Management, Ford

Rahul Sood
General Manager and Partner, Microsoft Ventures

Wolfgang Warnecke
Chief Scientist for Mobility, Shell

Frederic Lardinois
Writer, TechCrunch

Tim Stevens
Former Editor-in-Chief, Engadget
Judging Criteria
-
Use of Vehicle Data
Submissions will be evaluated for their depth of use of vehicle data. Strong submissions will include fusion of multiple data types, novel algorithms and data aggregation techniques. -
User Interface Design
Strong submissions will go beyond basic visualizations of data streams and provide user interfaces tailored to assist users in changing their behavior. -
Viability
Strong submissions will stress automated data capture and analysis vs. self-reporting and minimize the amount of additional infrastructure required, lowering the barrier to entry for users.
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