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BetterPlace is the global provider of electric vehicle networks and services.

Hands Free Challenge

On October 29, 2009, Better Place proudly celebrated the second anniversary of its launch. On that day, Better Place invited students from the top design and engineering schools from around the globe to design the future of electric-vehicle charging with us.

We are excited to recognize the finalists:

  • Royal College of Art, United Kingdom
  • University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management, Toronto, Ontario
  • Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, United Kingdom
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA


    • This challenge provides an opportunity for these finalists to compete for a chance to design and develop a prototype for next generation electric-car charging infrastructure. Better Place will select one winning team and will invest in the winning idea so that it may be developed into a prototype, which will be showcased in the fall of 2010.

    In August, Better Place won the bi-annual INDEX: Design to Improve Life Award, which awarded the company with a €100,000 prize in recognition for the design of its entire system. Because we value the innovation that thrives within the students of universities, we invited them to embark on this challenge with us to continue our commitment to more affordable, more convenient electric cars for everyone.

    For the design challenge, Better Place invited the top 60 global design schools as named by BusinessWeek to submit a proposal of a concept for hands-free charging.  Better Place will award €3,000 per finalist so that their proposals can be developed further. We will invite the finalists to present their designs to the Better Place selection committee in April 2010. Better Place then will select one winning proposal by May 19, 2010, which will receive €35,000 in funding to develop a prototype of the hands-free solution to be demonstrated Oct. 29, 2010. The remaining funds will be applied towards operational and administration costs.

    Congratulations to the finalists!

    Better Place Team

    “Design is an inherent part of our DNA as we want to create a consumer experience with driving electric cars second to none.  Our design competition invites students to create an experience where charging your electric car is ideally a completely automated system so that the consumer can enjoy the freedom of electric mobility.” - Shai Agassi, Founder & CEO, Better Place


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