Shortlist for global 2nd IT Challenge on Connected Car – 15 teams from universities across the world will be judged by panel with Renault and Atos

55 entries from 20 universities across the world have been received since the competition opened in November and the quality of submissions is impressive. 15 shortlisted teams comprised of 55 students have been selected by a judging panel including representatives from Renault and the Atos Scientific Community – a global network of around 90 of the best business technologists within Atos. Carvolutionaries, from India, is the 15th shortlisted team and it was selected by receiving the most votes on Facebook(over 1100).

Connected Car– create an app that offers drivers and passengers wellbeing on the move
Atos believes the IT Challenge will foster and encourage innovation within the future generation of IT professionals, and has hosted the annual competition for the first time in 2012. This year’s theme of Atos IT Challenge is ‘Connected Car’. In teams of up to five students, participants were tasked with demonstrating their app and to show how it will work in the car environment, for example, taking into account the speed of travel, as well as present the business case to explain how it can be a commercial success.

The shortlisted entries are:

On the selection of the shortlist, Gilles Grapinet, Senior Executive Vice President, Global Functions at Atos, said; “As business technologists who power progress, we are excited to see how these shortlisted students have brought their knowledge and creativity into Connected Cars applications that are both innovative and commercially viable. Last year’s outcome proved to be a success and we believe this competition is a fantastic learning experience for the students, the universities and ourselves. We firmly believe the IT Challenge will give students of today a chance to write the technology story of tomorrow.”

One Atos Challenge Coach from the Atos Scientific Community will be assigned to each shortlisted team to help them to take the idea through to a fully functional proof of concept. The Challenge Coach will provide help with technical and business insights, as well as advice to improve their all-important presentation skills necessary for business in the technology world.

The three finalists will be announced in May 2013, and the overall winner at an awards ceremony in June 2013. Finalist prize winners will be awarded an Atos Diploma demonstrating outstanding achievement and the chance to apply for highly sought after internships at Atos. Each member of the overall winning team will also win a trip of a lifetime to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. The prestigious prize will include return flights, accommodation, tickets to Olympic events, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour including a visit to the Technology Operations Centre, and meetings with Atos executives.

Each year Atos recruits around 7000 engineers globally. The IT Challenge forms part of Atos Wellbeing@work initiative and supports its objective to encourage and develop talent.

About Atos

Atos is an international information technology services company with annual 2012 revenue of EUR 8.8 billion and 76,400 employees in 47 countries. Serving a global client base, it delivers hi-tech transactional services, consulting and technology services, systems integration and managed services. With its deep technology expertise and industry knowledge, it works with clients across the following market sectors: Manufacturing, Retail, Services; Public sector, Healthcare & Transport; Financial Services; Telecoms, Media & Technology; Energy & Utilities. Atos is focused on business technology that powers progress and helps organizations to create their firm of the future. It is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and is quoted on the Paris Eurolist Market. Atos operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting & Technology Services, Atos Worldline and Atos Worldgrid.

More information about the contest (rules, prizes, partner universities, the Coaches & the Jury, Atos and Connected Cars ) see www.atositchallenge.net.

Individual prizes:The Jury will select 1 winner and 2 finalists:
1st Prize- Gold Medal:

• Diploma
• Experience at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games for the winning team and University Sponsor (including return flights, tickets for some events, accommodation and “behind the scenes tours” (visit to Technology Operations Centre, presentations and meetings with Atos and IOC top executives)
• E-tablet

2nd Prize – Silver Medal:

• Diploma
• E- tablet

3rd Prize – Bronze Medal:

• Diploma
• E- tablet

Prizes for all participants:All participants in the IT Challenge will also receive a set of gifts to thank them for their participation in the contest and will be invited to apply for an internship to work as part of the Atos team.

For more information:
Jose de Vries
+31 6 30 27 26 11
jose.devries@atos.net