Qld innovators solve digital problems

Innovators in Queensland have been invited by the state government to solve some of the digital problems affecting the world.

Digital solutions are needed for issues ranging from monitoring the health of local communities to devising new navigational tools and even measuring the age of fish.

These are among nine problem statements posted on the Advance Queensland website under the latest round of the Testing Within Government (TWiG) program.

Under the 12-week program, successful applicants would work with government representatives to test and refine solutions to a variety of real problems.

Innovation Minister Kate Jones said the TWiG program is a great way for the government to think outside the box and collaborate with the private sector to solve problems using digital technology.

“The program also helps our smaller enterprises get an idea of what it’s like to work side by side with a large organisation in the testing and refining of their digital solution,” she said.

More than $300,000 in funding from six Queensland Government agencies has been invested in the testing round, which is now open for applications from businesses across the state.

The government is encouraging small-to-medium Queensland businesses with potential digital solutions to apply.

“We have some of the best and brightest minds in digital technology right here in Queensland. We want to support our innovators to achieve great things,” Jones said.

“This program is all about supporting Queenslanders to tackle the big issues while we support local jobs.

“We’ve got some very exciting problems on offer in this round of TWiG. These problems include determining the age of fish by measuring their ear bones as well as helping public transport customers navigate through bus stations and get where they need to go.

“I’m especially keen to see our start-ups and small to medium businesses who have a product or service they think fits the bill to step up to the mark and apply for this opportunity.

“Solving these problems can help us deliver flexible and responsive approaches to service delivery and improve the way people in need are able to interact with the government on a day-to-day basis.”

The challenges include:

• Automating fish measurement processes to improve data quality
• Automating collection of fish ageing data to support sustainability of seafood and recreational fishing stocks
• Classifying and managing data collected from new technologies such as drones and body cameras
• Harnessing large volumes of data collected on environmental and natural resources
• Automating the Housing and Public Works ICT Services Panel, allowing suppliers and government buyers to connect more efficiently
• Preparing communities for future weather events with an innovative tool for collecting and analysing disaster data
• Helping people find their way around public transport facilities with a new navigational tool
• Reducing vehicle accidents and road worker injuries with advance warning devices to alert drivers upon approach to traffic control sites
• Sharing data through an easily accessible platform to help local communities address their needs
   

Image credit: ©Sergey Nivens/Dollar Photo Club

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