Yahoo Finance $8,000 prize money to design an app for Airbus
Airbus has a problem, and they’re scouring people across the globe for the solution.
Here’s the issue they need to solve: Airbus needs an app that will help track items, such as tools and equipment, in Airbus’ complex manufacturing facilities.
Instead of hiring someone to do the job, Airbus is putting a global call-out on Freelancer.com for people to submit their best attempt at designing the app.
“You can tap into 33 million people who have all sorts of ideas,” Freelancer CEO Matt Barrie told Yahoo Finance, speaking about the number of Freelancer users across the globe.
“So it really captures that innovation at scale.”
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Who can apply?
For those with concerns that they’re not a rocket scientist, don’t fear – Airbus is looking for people with a range of skills.
“We're looking for people to enter who might be great at crossword puzzles, design, apps, user interfaces, programming, aerospace engineering and of course rocket science,” said Freelancer CEO Matt Barrie.
Also, you don’t actually have to create the entire app – just design it.
“In this case, they’re looking for a mock-up – they’re not actually looking for the programming of this at this point; they’re looking for an innovative idea designed, and it could really be anyone,” Barrie told Yahoo Finance.
“it’s an opportunity for you to design something and work for one of the largest aerospace companies in the world.”
“They’ve also set the contest up quickly for follow-on work; if they like what you’re doing, they could hire you in a larger engagement to see this turn into reality,” he said.
What’s up for grabs?
There won’t just be one winner, but three.
The favoured entry will receive 3,000 euros, (AU $4,800).
Second-place will pocket AU $2,400, while third place will receive AU $800.
If you think you’ve got a fair shot, get designing – the contest ends on Friday May 10 at midnight EST, which is 2pm Friday May 10 AEST.
You can view the contest details on Freelancer’s project listing, but you’ll need to create an account to view the full challenge specifications.
What’s the catch?
The contest isn’t for the faint of heart.
The app should function somewhere between a Google Maps and a catalog, where you can find the item by location in a ‘maps’ view or by listing, such as what you’d see on Airbnb or booking.com.
The app – which users must be able to access on smart devices – will be designed for industrial maintenance staff of Airbus plants, as well as external personnel, such as subcontractors, that are in charge of calibrating and verifying the assets.
On top of that, the whole thing has to be intuitive and easy-to-use without specific training.
Innovation at speed
Massive enterprises like Airbus are increasingly turning to the gig economy to solve issues quickly.
Organisations such as NASA and the US Department of Energy have use these platforms to source talent without delay, Barrie told Yahoo Finance.
“Around the world, large companies are really discovering that the future to access[ing] talent is to go to the crowd, to go to the internet to do so,” Barrie said.
“It allows it to access a much larger talent range and a very inexpensive way of doing so.”
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