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The winner of the Ford SYNC AppLink Developer Challenge Dublin, which took place the day before the Web Summit is Drive Efficient. The SYNC AppLink Developer Challenge Dublin was a 24-hour event help in Croke Park to design apps for Ford's SYNC voice-activated in-car connectivity system.
The winning app was developed by a team from German urban mobility experts Unu. The app monitors if drivers are over- or under-revving the engine and whether or not they are making the best use of the car's torque. The app then alerts the driver via verbal and visual feedback in order to encourage users to drive more efficiently and conserve fuel.
The Ford SYNC AppLink Developer Challenge Dublin attracted more than 17 teams of app developers from many countries including Germany, Russia, Brazil and South Africa.
A panel of judges representing Ford's technology development team and partners named Drive Efficient the winner of the challenge. The team gets a €50,000 first-place prize and the opportunity to develop new apps with Ford.
Speaking about the event, Don Butler, Ford executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services, said: "I was blown away by the creativity I saw here today. Working with innovators from outside of the automotive industry is a proven way of generating ideas that can enhance the driving experience, as evidenced by the quality of the app designs presented during the SYNC AppLink Developer Challenge Dublin".
"Ford Motor Company is tapping into talent like Unu that can generate truly innovative and disruptive ideas with the potential to be translated to reality."