Transforming Mobility: NEXT Innovation Scholars Win Future of Mobility + AI Design Challenge
Multi-disciplinary student team envisions mobility landscape of Cincinnati in 2050
In a groundbreaking two-week sprint, a team of four NEXT Innovation Scholars from the University of Cincinnati triumphed in the Future of Mobility + AI: A Design Challenge, a collaborative event hosted by UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), the MIT Media Lab, the City Science Lab, Hyundai America Technical Center, and UC Digital Futures. This challenge tasked participants with envisioning the mobility landscape of Cincinnati in 2050, encouraging innovative solutions to complex urban transportation issues.
NEXT Innovation Scholars working on their stop motion video for the final presentation. Photo Credit: UC student Maxwell Kemats
The winning team consisted of four students, each from diverse academic backgrounds: Jackie Cunningham (Industrial Design), Charlie Harker (Medical Sciences), Maxwell Kemats (Economics), and Faith Rider (Computer Science). This transdisciplinary approach was a cornerstone of their success, highlighting the power of collaboration across different fields of study.
Focusing on the principles of design thinking, the team prioritized empathy for the community they aimed to serve. Rather than rushing to a solution, they dedicated time to understanding the problem deeply—a strategy that proved effective in crafting their final presentation. To vividly illustrate their vision for the future of mobility, they developed a lo-fi prototype accompanied by a creative stop-motion video, which captivated the judges and audience alike.
This achievement not only underscores the innovative spirit of the NEXT Innovation Scholars program but also showcases how diverse perspectives can converge to address complex challenges. By harnessing their varied expertise, the team demonstrated that the future of mobility can be reimagined through collaboration, empathy, and creative problem-solving.
As cities continue to evolve, the insights and strategies developed during this challenge may play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable and inclusive transportation solutions for Cincinnati and beyond.
Featured image at top: The NEXT Innovation Scholars explain their first iteration of the final prototype to the judges. Photo Credit: UC student Grace Nunn
Student sprints at the University of Cincinnati are a specialized form of educational or career development program where an employer partners directly with NEXT Innovation Scholars to sponsor a concentrated, short-term project or learning experience for students. Industry partners interested in discussing future projects and sponsorship costs, can email UC’s Partnership Development team at engagement@uc.edu.
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