Climate Change Brings Students Together to Focus on Mobility Solutions for the Future

• Winning schools earn grants as part of Made to Move CommunitiesTM Global Student Challenge sponsored by Otis Worldwide.
• Student teams from Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School award Honorable Mentions

HONG KONG , May 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Four student teams around the world won their respective regional competitions aimed at developing unique mobility solutions to offset the challenges brought on by climate change in their local communities. The third annual Made to Move Communities^TM Student Challenge from Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS), paired volunteer mentors from the vertical mobility leader with 230 students across 15 countries and territories.

With the guidance of their Otis mentors, students developed innovative solutions based on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that they believe can mitigate some of the obstacles to real-world mobility issues.

"We are so proud of these talented students and the ingenuity they displayed in creating innovative STEM solutions to what is arguably the defining issue of the 21^st century," said Otis Chief Communications Officer Randi Tanguay. Made to Move Communities demonstrates, year after year, the potential of the next generation of innovators to help shape their communities for the better while improving our world for the future."

The winning schools selected in each Otis region were:

• Americas: Wilson High School, Florence (SC), United States
  Proposed a variation of a composite roofing shingle to help decrease temperatures and lower energy consumption/cost for homeowners. These shingles would also be less expensive and require fewer repairs than asphalt, reducing associated runoff waste.
• Europe, Middle East & Africa: Nový PORG, Prague, Czech Republic
  Developed a concept for a mapping application that enables users to select the best mode of transportation and route to a destination to minimize carbon emissions. The app also includes ways to identify if certain routes are accessible for persons with disabilities.
• Asia Pacific: Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Wangchan District, Thailand
  Created a website that shows real-time flood data, with push alerts, to help drivers avoid dangerous and/or impassable areas.
• China: China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
  Presented contactless transit that both absorbs vibration and repurposes wasted energy for improved efficiency and a smoother ride.

12 students from Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School formed two teams. Their solutions were awarded two Honorable Mentions:

• The Cool Belt and App - a smart seatbelt that can detect the surrounding temperature and moderate the amount of heat to ensure that a trapped child can survive
• Tai Float - floating houses, made of a bamboo floor and metal alloy frame, in Tai O, that can withstand the impact of flooding, unlike the current stilt houses

Student teams spent up to eight weeks working with Otis mentors to identify, research and develop solutions to eliminate mobility barriers caused by climate change - each with the goal to create more sustainable and inclusive communities. Teams virtually presented their ideas to a panel of regional Otis leaders who carefully evaluated their projects. Winning teams earned grants for their respective schools to further STEM programming and benefit even more students. 

"I want to extend my sincere gratitude to OTIS for their dedication and commitment to education and community engagement. Thanks to their efforts, our students were given the opportunity to develop unique mobility solutions, fostering their spirit of creativity, innovation, and social responsibility," Ms. Claudia Liu, Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary Division and Head of International Education of HKBUAS, "Besides, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my incredible A-school students, who continuously display their creativity, innovation, and passion for learning. It is with great pride that I share two of our student-led solutions, The Cool Belt and App, and Tai Float, were awarded Honorable Mentions. These awards not only bring them honor and recognition but also valuable experiences that will serve them well in their future endeavors."

The program is also driving progress toward three of Otis' ESG targets: impacting 15,000 students globally through STEM and vocational training, directing 50% of giving to STEM programs and dedicating 500,000 colleague volunteer hours by 2030.  Read more about the company's performance in the 2022 ESG Report.

The announcement of the Made to Move Communities winning schools is part of Otis' annual Lift Our Communities Month celebration. Throughout the month of April, the company celebrates its ongoing commitment to support the communities where its colleagues live and work.

About Otis

Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.2 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 69,000 people strong, including 41,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo.

SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation