Hackathon BeeGreen: ideas for sustainability

There’s always a need for fresh, inspired solutions to smooth the path to sustainability. Generating these solutions was the focus of BeeGreen, a hackathon organised by Škoda.

18. 3. 2024 Škoda World

At the end of February and beginning of March, seven teams from companies from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and France came together in Prague to compete. Their task was to come up with an innovative technological idea and solution in one of three areas related to sustainability. The competitors could choose from the following themes: exploring the environment during driving breaks; improving the recyclability of car materials; or measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of the supply chain.

Teams from Czechia, Poland, Germany and France took part in the event.

The two-day programming marathon offers IT companies a unique platform to showcase their expertise and come up with innovative ideas. Mentors from Škoda and other VW Group brands were on hand to give the individual teams the benefit of their experience. In addition to a cheque for 50,000 euros to help fund the first stages of project development, the winners also get the chance to continue working with the Czech carmaker. Needless to say, intensive networking and making valuable contacts is a great benefit as well.

“Innovation and digitalisation are key tools on our journey towards a sustainable future. We understand that this transition is a joint effort, so we are looking for partners who share our vision and want us both to make progress. Škoda’s strategic advantage lies in our location: the Czech Republic is a hotbed of thriving software startups. Events like the BeeGreen hackathon provide a platform for establishing strategic partnerships between dynamic IT companies and the strong Volkswagen Group, partnerships that foster the development and implementation of innovative, sustainable solutions,” said Karsten Schnake, Škoda board member for procurement, at the opening of the event.

The two-day programming marathon was held in Prague.

Among the ideas competing to win the prize was an extension of the MyŠkoda app. During a charging break, user can expand their knowledge with interactive courses and quizzes on subjects such as ecology or first aid, or relax with guided breathing exercises. Another team came up with improvements to the app’s journey planner – for example, it would offer a selection of eco-friendly and cheaper chargers, AI-recommended sites of interest in the vicinity of the charging station or the ability to communicate with other drivers at the charging station.

“It’s ideas like this that confirm that for a lot of people, the cars we sell aren’t really the end product. One concept that was often heard here was the ecosystem, which I think is very important. The way I see it, there are two levels to it. Firstly, it’s the connection between the car and apps, artificial intelligence that can make predictive suggestions for journeys, routes, entertainment content, or comes up with ideas linked to use of leisure time. The second level, which is perhaps even more important from the user’s perspective, is how the car, typically an electric car, is integrated into customers’ wider energy context and needs. I’m glad that these themes resonated here, because I think they will open up a lot of other business opportunities for us in the future as well,” says competition judge Jana Kébl, who is responsible for supplier management, risk management and technical support in Škoda’s procurement department.

“The sustainability aspect of this project was front and centre, but at the same time it wasn’t divorced from the business model, which the winners took in a very innovative direction. If we had to pick one out of all the sustainability themes, it would be the circular economy. The possibility of opening up an autonomous secondary market in used parts, which will be refurbished directly by the manufacturer in some controlled and certified way, hit the bullseye, I’d say. And if it also opens up additional business opportunities... In short, there was no doubt about the winner,” concluded jury member Jan Melichar, head of connectivity and electrics procurement.