Solving complex problems related to issues like hunger, climate change, social security or public safety requires collaboration. Launched in Groningen, in the Netherlands, the Odyssey project (originally called Blockchain Hackaton Innovatie Programma) brings together public authorities, NGOs, corporates, start-ups and legal, ethical and technology experts to explore how new technologies can be used to respond to such challenges. The aim is to create new digital commons: public digital infrastructure – like the e-mail protocol – which will allow the development of operating systems that could change how society is organised.
- 05 July 2020
Odyssey is Europe’s leading hackathon for blockchain and artificial intelligence and provides the teams with the best possible support to deliver their ideas at scale to make a real and lasting impact.
The Odyssey programme is organised in seasons, in which participants from diverse backgrounds build partnerships to develop solutions for various societal challenges.
Each season runs from September to July and consists of a series of preparation events. These culminate in a hackathon, in which teams of 5-6 people, supported by more than 200 specialists, build economically viable, open digital infrastructure prototypes with the potential to solve today’s problems. All teams get access to incubation and acceleration services.
Tackling challenges together
One of Odyssey’s goals is to develop a distinctly European method of digital collaboration which draws on the public and private sectors. The project is not about creating products for individual organisations. Rather, it looks to create completely new markets, with open protocols maximising the chance of large-scale adoption of cutting-edge systems.
Between 2017 and 2019, Odyssey grew considerably: the size of its community went from 1 200 to 10 000 people of all ages, from more than 40 countries. In addition, funding was received for over 40 innovations. A similar number of projects were launched in collaboration with universities. Some 200 SMEs and 450 students were involved, all of which exceeded expectations.
Prototypes
Regarding specific challenges, a notable example concerned the fact that existing energy grids will not be able to handle increasing electric vehicle use. In response, the winning submission for the energy challenge of the 2019 hackathon, was to establish local cooperatives in which electric vehicles act as mobile virtual power plants. Intelligent software will manage charging and release of energy to the grid when needed. A pilot system is currently under development with incubation assistance from Odyssey.
Another came from a logistics insurer who wanted to explore how blockchain – an open ledger that records transactions between parties and is shared across a network of computers – could help their business. By taking part in Odyssey events, the insurer realised that blockchain-based prototypes for a single party left no scope for wider uptake. It thus set the challenge of creating a cargo insurance protocol for the entire industry. Work on a pilot project with the winning team, a start-up connected to the Port of Rotterdam, is underway.
Other winning solutions include an open protocol for programming swarms of robots for use in search-and-rescue operations, a medical supply chain tracking system to prevent fraud in Africa, a patient data-sharing tool for healthcare professionals and a method for crowdfunding innovative infrastructure.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Odyssey” is EUR 2 272 700, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 909 080 through the “North Netherlands” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Research, development and innovation”.