Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) has entered into an agreement with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to launch the City Architecture for Tomorrow Challenge (CATCH), a pioneering competition that is expected to attract innovative, data-driven entries from global participants.
Offering up to US$1.5 million in grant provisions, the challenge’s aim is to raise efficiency in urban planning, and drive forward the future of mobility. Participants will also have access to expert mentors and an incubation program.
This partnership will enable Kuala Lumpur to take the lead in developing next-generation urban development and city mobility management for the region.
CATCH will seek to address mobility challenges in Kuala Lumpur with a global call for solutions, for a period of eight months. Participants — from start-ups, academic and research institutions to corporates, or even the general public — can conceptualise and develop solutions that are dynamic, intelligent and data-driven to design future city infrastructures.
“TMF was set up to address mobility issues around the world, using a unique approach driven by sustainability, innovation and partnership,” said Shin Aoyama, president of the TMF secretariat.
“CATCH was designed in partnership with the Malaysian government, to encourage data-driven but human-centered interventions to improve city planning and the mobility ecosystem,” said Aoyoma
Surina Shukri, CEO of MEDC, said the program is in-line with MDEC’s efforts to drive forward the country’s digital economy, catalyse next-gen innovation through Malaysia’s Global Testbed Initiative and “reinforce the country’s position as the Heart of Digital ASEAN.”
CATCH will provide participants with data to empower them to develop solutions that will be selected in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act.
The data partners are made up of both public and private sectors that have different data points of a commuter’s journey such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Royal Malaysia Police, Land Public Transport Agency, Grab, MapIT MSC, Mass Rapid Transit Corp. and Prasarana Malaysia.
