A team from Israeli high-tech company Matter bested 52 teams from 19 countries competing in Škoda Auto DigiLab’s global online “COVID Mobility Race” hackathon.
The virtual competition from June 4 to 7 was dedicated to current challenges facing the automotive industry due to the coronavirus pandemic: How can a vehicle be bought and delivered while following stringent social distancing measures? How can car buyers virtually view their dream car? What role will digital mobility services play in the future?
There was a special focus on the IT hotspot Israel as Škoda Auto DigiLab Israel supported participating tech companies from Tel Aviv throughout the competition.
The spectrum of projects included online viewing of new and used vehicles, innovative disinfection options, shared mobility, logistics and infrastructure concepts, and new business models in relation to social distancing.
A panel of experts, including Škoda Auto Chief Digital Officer Andre Wehner and Škoda Auto DigiLabs’ Managing Director Jarmila Plachá, said they voted for Matter’s 3D virtual showroom technology “because it is interactive, can be presented very realistically and can be implemented flexibly.”
Matter serves a range of industries with proprietary 3D technology to create interactive digital property tours. The auto showroom project will now be supported by Škoda Auto DigiLab. There is a possibility of future collaboration with the Czech car manufacturer’s innovation lab.