Y-Prize Competition: tell Penn how it should use its robots

Penn‘s robots can jump, fly and build upon each other. What kinds of things should they do out in the world?

Penn’s Y-Prize Competition, which previously challenged Penn students to develop an application for Penn-built robots, is now open to the public, at least in part. Submit your ideas on Marblar by Dec. 31.

The best ideas will move on to the next stage of the competition, where Penn students will form teams to develop the ideas and business plans to commercialize them. The grand prize is $5,000. Last year, a group of Penn students won for their idea of using aerial robots to detect improvised explosive devices in roadways.

As for those who contribute ideas on Marblar, if an idea is eventually commercialized, contributors would win a portion of 10 percent of the licensing deal.