Verizon’s “Built on 5G Challenge” asked innovators to submit ideas that showcased how 5G could increase business efficiency, improve immersive experiences and/or solve customers’ most challenging problems. They received over 550 submissions, from which they selected three winners:
- First Place: The $1 million winner is Ario. The company has developed an augmented reality (AR) productivity platform to increase workplace safety and efficiency. Ario will use Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband to improve the platform’s performance with advanced connectivity and improved image recognition.
- Second place: The $500,000 prize winner is GAROU. The company’s virtual reality (VR) content platform leverages a 3D model of the world as an interface for accessing content and for in-VR social interaction. The company will use Verizon 5G to improve VR technology in a multi-user setting and help users access content in real time.
- Third place: The $250,000 prize winner is LexSet. The company generates synthetic image data from 3D content to train high-performance computer vision AI. The company will use Verizon 5G to enable advances in edge-based mixed reality, robotics, and inventory management.
The winners will have access to Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband at Verizon’s 5G Labs for 8 weeks, where they’ll work with 5G specialists to develop their concepts. “These innovators have come up with some really ground-breaking solutions that can only be fully realized with the fast speeds, massive bandwidth and super-low latency that Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband offers,” said Nicki Palmer, chief product development officer at Verizon. “By bringing these companies into our 5G Labs, where we collaborate with universities, startups and enterprises to co-create 5G concepts, we’re giving them access to all the tools they need to create truly transformational experiences that will reshape entire industries.”