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General Questions
How do I follow the Challenge and get updates?
Who can I contact if I have questions about the challenge?
Submission Requirements
What do I need to use to build my solution?
I want to integrate SYNC® AppLink™ into my app. Where can I find it?
What APIs or datasets can I include in my solution?
Does my solution have to function in Mexico City?
Why do I have to upload a video?
What should I put in my video?
Does my solution need to be submitted to an online store?
Testing Process
How can I provide Devpost with access to test my solution?
Eligibility & IP
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Do the solutions have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting?
Can more than one person work on a solution and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Can my solution win more than one prize?
Can I enter more than one solution?
Do I retain intellectual property ownership?
What else will you do with my submission?
Public Voting
How does public voting work?
How do I follow the challenge and get updates?
When you register for the challenge, you’ll automatically be signed up to receive updates regarding the challenge. Follow us on Twitter at @Devpost.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the challenge?
Email Support@Devpost.com or post a question to the Discussion Board.
What do I need to use to build my app?
Although no specific API or data integration is required, your app must focus on reducing the number of vehicles with only one occupant and should also encourage enjoyable, safe, and efficient transportation that relieves traffic congestion in Mexico City.
Solutions that are “enjoyable” refer to solutions that contribute to an efficient use of time, and a pleasant and comfortable journey. Solutions that are “efficient” refer to solutions that are either emissions efficient, schedule efficient, or both.
All submitted apps must also conform to Ford’s In-Vehicle Approval Criteria for safe and non-distracting in-vehicle interfaces, if the intent is to use the app while driving.
Don’t forget that solutions must include a software component (see the official rules for complete details).
I want to integrate SYNC® AppLink™ into my app. Where can I find it?
SYNC AppLink is a suite of APIs that provides the capability for mobile developers to AppLink enable their mobile applications. You can access it on the Ford Developer Site: https://developer.ford.com/
Can I used other APIs or datasets in my app?
You may use whatever APIs, SDKs, and datasets you choose, as long as you are authorized to use and distribute them.
Does my solution have to function in Mexico City?
Your solution is not required to function in Mexico City specifically in order to be eligible for the competition. However, judges will score your application based on the criteria listed below, so including Mexico City specific functionality may improve your scores during judging.
- Quality of the Idea (Includes creativity and originality of the idea.)
- Implementation of the Idea (Includes how well the idea was executed by the developer.)
- Potential Traffic Value (Includes the extent to which the solution mitigates traffic congestion and increases vehicle occupancy.)
- Potential Driver Value (Includes the extent to which the solution may increase the safety and enjoyment of a driver’s commute, as well as encourage positive human interactions.)
Why do I have to upload a video?
The Popular Choice awards are determined by public voting. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your solution. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that captures the solution’s value and user interface.
What should I put in my video?
Aside from your actual app, your submission video is one of the most important parts of your entry. In fact, it’s often one of the first, and sometimes only, things that judges and voters view. Make a great first impression by following these tips on what to include in your video:
- Include a step-by-step demo. Demonstrate your app’s key features by showing them functioning on an appropriate device. While audio isn’t required, narration or text bubbles can help judges and voters understand your app.
- Keep it simple. Per the official rules, your video shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
- Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your video. Keep in mind that the time it takes to upload/process a video on YouTube or Vimeo varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, the file size, upload traffic and Internet connection speed, and could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or more.
Don’t know much about making videos? Check out these helpful screen casting tools.
Does my app need to be publicly available or submitted to an online store?
Your solution is not required to be publicly available or submitted to an online store.
How can I provide Devpost with access to test my app?
You must provide a way for us to test your solution at no cost.
Solutions which include hardware and wearable technology:
If the submission runs on or includes proprietary hardware or hardware (including wearable technology) that is not widely available to the public, the Sponsor and/or Administrator reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to require the submitter to provide access to the physical hardware solution, or device required to test the solution, upon request.
Software only solutions:
For software solutions running on widely available devices or hardware, please allow us to test using one of the following methods.
Android solution: Upload an .apk file in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your solution in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
iOS Applications: If your solution is available on the App Store please provide a link in the “Website URL” field on the submission form. If you charge for your app, please also provide a promo code.
If your solution is not yet publicly available, send a test build using one of the following methods:
Send us your beta file via Diawi. After uploading your file, Diawi creates a unique short URL to access the installation page (for ex: aBcDeF). When opened in Safari on the iOS device, the page will display a link to install the application. Note that you will need to include provisioning for one or more of the UDIDs below.
You may send the Administrator a beta test via Crashalytics. Use the Administrator’s testing email (testing@Devpost.com) and UDID’s to provision a build and send the Administrator a link via the “Share Links” button. Add the testing link to the Enter a Submission form under “iOS Build Link”. Beta by Crashalytics is a free service. Please review the how-to for their Beta Distribution tool.
Administrator UDIDs:
- iPad (iOS 6.0.1) 6a2cb1d4ba2d242db1db48c59c91744cebfc68a9
- iPod Touch 4th Gen (iOS 5.0.1)13d9c9e50d705446c07fc5d2c3c3144c69ffc576
- iPhone 5 (iOS 8.3) 4c4270daadcf6f2dcd38ef407c38c01c3fa849b8
- iPhone 5 (iOS 8.3) c94acc0069278cee4b38e4d27ae3f838bf50aa79
- iPhone 6 (iOS 8.3) ac3c04f10b03e033bc31a0d14146d5740bc7db54
Enter the Administrator’s email address to share a build for testing. The Administrator’s TestFlight account email is: testing@Devpost.com. Please note that if you add the Administrator as an “External Tester” your Application will need to go through Beta App Review before you can send your build. This could lead to delay and in order for your Submission to be eligible, you must send your test build before the end of the Challenge Submission Period. To learn more about TestFlight via iTunes Connect, please review the iTunes Connect Developer Guide and the TestFlight Video Tutorial.
Send a testing link to the Administrator at: testing@Devpost.com, and add the testing link on the Enter a Submission form under “iOS Build Link”. Please note that there is a fee to use HockeyApp.
Windows Phone solution: Upload an .xap file in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your solution in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
Web/Mobile Web: Provide a link for us to access your solution on the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
BlackBerry: Upload the appropriate installation files in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your installation file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
Kindle: Upload the appropriate installation files on the submission form or provide a link for downloading your installation file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
Mac OS: Upload the appropriate installation files in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your installation file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
Windows PC: Upload the appropriate installation files (.exe) in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your .exe file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.
Who is eligible to enter the competition?
The challenge is open to individuals, and teams of individuals, who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry. The challenge is also open to legally registered corporations or organizations that employ fewer than 50 people at the time of entry. (See the next question for large organization eligibility.).
Please review the Official Rules for complete eligibility requirements.
We are an organization. Can we enter?
Organizations with 50 or fewer employees may enter and compete for cash prizes. Organizations with more than 50 employees may enter and compete only for the Large Organization Recognition Award, which has no cash prize.
Do the apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting?
Both new and existing solutions are eligible for this challenge. No specific API, SDK, or data integration is required. If you are submitting an existing solution (developed prior to this competition), it must include new features/functionality added after the submission period began. The new features must specifically focus on reducing the number of vehicles with only one occupant as well as encouraging enjoyable, safe, and efficient transportation in Mexico City. Participants entering existing solutions will be required to explain their new features in the submission form.
Can more than one person work on an solution and receive credit for it? And if the solution wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?
Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate.
Can my solution win more than one prize?
Yes. All submissions entered by eligible individuals, teams of individuals, and organizations with 50 or fewer employees can compete for the Best Overall solution awards and Popular Choice. Large organizations are only eligible for the Large Organization Recognition Award.
However, solutions entered in multiple Poster challenges on Devpost are only eligible to win prizes in a total of two challenges (previous and current combined) Ford challenges. Please see the Official Rules for details.
Can I enter more than one solution?
Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person, team or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, if you submit two or more solutions that are identical or substantially similar, the Sponsor and Devpost reserve the right to disqualify all the submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.
Do I retain intellectual property ownership?
Yes. By submitting a solution to the challenge, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to the Sponsor or Devpost. The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to feature all solutions entered in the competition for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules for details.
What else will you do with my submission?
The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the challenge website. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the challenge website in connection with the submission and the challenge during the competition and after its conclusion. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.
How does public voting work?
Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the Popular Choice award winner. Have more questions about public voting? Check out our handy public voting help article.