What is the XPRISE? An XPRIZE is an intense competition that challenges teams to develop innovative technologies to change the world for the better. The competitions provide an incentive to solve a major problem that does not have a clear solution. The parameters of the competition identify the challenge and create incentives for global teams to create a solution. The challenges are designed in such a way that even small teams of high school students can participate, yet they attract business investment.
The Google Lunar XPRIZE is a $30 million competition that challenges teams to develop affordable methods of travel to the Moon. The Moon contains many rare and valuable resources that can be used in a variety of ways on Earth. This competition intends to inspire low-cost methods of lunar exploration that can ultimately lead to the development of these resources as well as human habitation on the Moon.
The teams are required to land a rover on the Moon. The rover must then travel at least five hundred meters and transmit high definition videos. The teams must also receive ninety percent of their funds from private investors. Each team must announce a verified launch contract by the end of 2016, and they must launch their mission by 2017. Three milestone prizes have already been awarded, totaling $6 million. The Landing milestone was awarded to teams Astrobotic, Team Indus, and Moon Express. The Mobility milestone was awarded to teams Astrobotic, Hakuto, and Part-Time Scientists. The Imaging milestone was awarded to teams Astrobotic, Moon Express, and Part-Time Scientists.
The Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE is a $10 million competition that challenges teams to design a wireless, handheld device that can diagnose thirteen health conditions and monitor five vital signs. Initially, the winning team’s technology was required to diagnose sixteen health conditions, but that number has been reduced. The competition intends to inspire innovations that create greater access to healthcare and greater freedom in how individuals receive treatment.
The competition began in 2012 with twenty-nine teams, and the remaining seven teams currently await a preliminary cut before proceeding to the final round. Many of the teams are testing their products. Team Final Frontier is testing their device on patients in Pennsylvania. Team DMI is recruiting volunteers from the public. The final round will begin in September 2016, and the grand winner is expected to be announced in early 201
The IBM Watson A.I. XPRIZE is a $5 million XPRIZE competition designed in conjunction with TED. The teams are to design an innovative “cognitive technology” that will solve a major world challenge. These challenges include healthcare, climate change, and education.
The competition will begin in 2017. Each team will present their “human-machine” collaborative technology at the annual World of Watson conference for milestone prizes and the chance to advance to the next level of the competition. In 2020, the final three teams will present TED Talks, and a grand winner will be selected. Teams may still pre-register for the IBM Watson XPRIZE competition on the XPRIZE website.
The NRG Cosia Carbon XPRIZE is a $20 million competition in which teams are challenged to transform carbon emissions from factories and power plants into usable products. This competition is part of a multi-faceted attempt to reduce climate change.
The teams will be assessed on the net value of the product they produce and on how much carbon they are able to convert. Each team must choose to convert carbon from either a coal power plant or a natural gas power plant. The competition consists of three rounds. First, each team must choose a track – coal or natural gas – and submit a proposal. The proposal will be assessed, and fifteen teams from each track will progress to the second round. In the second round, each team will demonstrate their technologies in a controlled environment. The teams will be assessed based on the above criteria, and five teams from each track will progress to the final round. These teams will share a $2.5 million milestone prize. In the final round, the teams must demonstrate their technologies under real life conditions. They will produce their products using emissions from real power plants. The teams will be assessed, and a winner from each track will be announced. Each winner will receive a $7.5 million prize. Late registration for this competition closes on July 15, 2016.
