PLANETARIUM INNOVATION CHALLENGE

ABOUT

India has made great strides in Space research under the able leadership of our Space scientists and today ISRO is regarded to be the most capable and competitive space agency, compared to the best in the world. India's Space Missions have led to an increased interest amongst the students and youth towards Space research and understanding to learn more about the outer Space.

Planetariums in metros and other big cities attract a large number of students and provide first exposure to learn more about Space. There have been efforts made to increase the availability of Planetariums in smaller cities and even in rural areas. Worldwide, efforts have been made for integrating Augmented Reality (A.R.), Virtual Reality (V.R.) and Merged Reality (M.R.) technologies into Planetariums. Mobile Planetariums have also become popular and provide an opportunity for people in rural areas to get experience of a planetarium. Several Indian start-ups and tech firms have the potential to build such AR/VR/MR solutions as also provide mobile planetarium solutions. With an objective to recognize the best such Indian solutions, MyGov under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Government of India, invites applications from Indian Startups and tech entrepreneurs for an Innovation Challenge to develop state-of-the-art technology for our Planetariums. Selected solutions will not only be given cash rewards but also an opportunity to deploy them in various cities and rural areas by getting them listed on the GeM portal.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Some planetariums in India use outdated technology with no O.E.M. support available. At the same time, it has been observed that planetariums worldwide are making use of the latest technology (A.R., V.R. and M.R.) and making their planetariums systems mobile.

OBJECTIVE

This Planetarium Innovation challenge aims to bring together the tech firms and Start-ups (based out of India) with the potential to build an indigenous planetariums system software using latest technologies (A.R., V.R. or M.R). Furthermore, making use of the latest technologies, few modern technologies where we have the potential to improve are:

  1. Use of State-of-art/ Original technology (A.R., V.R., M.R.)
  2. Hybrid Systems (HYBRID planetariums can show not only rich astronomical programming but can also range farther into programming in subjects such as Geology, Meteorology, Biology, Oceanography, and more)
  3. Portable Inflatable Dome Planetariums

    For example SkyX, Stellarium, Taare Zameen Par

  4. Planetarium Technology includes (but not limited to) the following systems:

    1. Projectors array

    2. Auto Blending & Auto Geometric Correction units

    3. Astronomy & playback simulation software

    4. Digital Planetarium Software

    5. Show Control System

    6. Optomechanical Star Projector

    7. L.E.D. Cove lighting

    8. Projection Dome

Qualification Criteria

  1. The participants should be Indian Citizens or companies/Start-up with a majority stake of Indian Citizens.
  2. The Contest is open to the following entities:–

    Start-ups, Indian Legal Entities

    Registration proof shall be submitted at the time of application. It should have a minimum of 51% shareholding of Indian citizens and should not be barred or blacklisted anywhere for government work. Blacklisted means that participants shall not have been blacklisted or debarred from tendering for corrupt or fraudulent practices or non-delivery, non-performance by Govt. of India and/or any State Government and/or any Central/State P.S.U. at the time of bid submission date.

    Individual /Team

  3. Suppose Applicant(s) is(are) not yet registered as Start-up. they are still allowed to submit ideas, but are required to be registered as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act,2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act,1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in India (as per definition available in the latest notification of DIPP at http://startupindia.gov.in) on or before 30 days from the date of declaration of stage 1 result otherwise applicant will be disqualified.
  4. An entity shall be considered a 'start-up' as per definition of Start-up notified by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) vide G.S.R. order no. 127(E) dated 19th February 2019:
    • Up to ten years from the date of incorporation/ registration, if it is incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in India.
    • Turnover of the entity for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded one hundred Crore rupees.
    • The entity is working towards Innovation, development, or improvement of products or processes or services or a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.
    • An entity formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business shall not be considered a 'Start-up'.
    • Innovative Security Products being developed should not have violated/ breached/ copied any product already launched and copyrighted or patented.
  • For the product to be developed as part of the Challenge, if any I.P.R./Patent is being used, the contesting entity must possess the legitimate rights to use the I.P.R./Patents.
  • The product to be developed for the Challenge should be designed and developed in India.

The Innovation Challenge is open for participation by experts from all domains of planetarium technology

STAGES

Program Launch and Registration

The Program commences on 11th September 2021 and the registration is open till 20th October 2021 . Participants are not mandatorily required to be registered Indian Companies/start-ups to apply for the Challenge. However, once shortlisted at Ideation Stage, the participants will be required to register themselves as Indian Start-ups/Company and submit the proof of having applied at the stage of submission of Prototype.

Ideation Stage

This stage intends to invite bright minds to collaborate and propose innovating and cutting-edge ideas for their solution. The ideas will be evaluated for being technically competent by a Selection Committee comprising of experts from academia, industry, and Government.

Prototype Stage

This is the critical phase within Innovation Challenge to build upon the idea and concept around a prototype of an indigenous software solution using the latest technology (A.R./V.R./M.R.). The participants would present their prototypes to a distinguished Jury who would then select top three (3) entries. If needed, there will be mentors assigned to the top 3 to help PLANETARIUM INNOVATION CHALLENGE to develop the best solution as per the requirement.

Product Building

Selected participants may get a chance of a lifetime to deploy a fully functioning product based on their working prototype at planetariums. The Prototype will be presented to the Grand Jury and would be evaluated based on parameters including Innovation, Replicability, Scalability, Usability, and Ease of deployment/roll-out and potential risks involved in implementation of the solution.

Winner will get an opportunity to start the implementation of the project from Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi and the they may replicate the same in the other planetariums on Pan-India basis in partnership with NeGD, MyGov and Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML)

AWARDS AND OUTCOME

  1. Fast Track your future: A platform to innovate and deploy the solution according to the requirements
  2. Customers Outreach: A high viewership platform provide you with the opportunity to showcase promote your Innovation to Leaders from organizations across Indian Industry Sectors
  3. Grow your expectations: Opportunity to meet peers in the field and get to know the latest advancement in the Ecosystem. Your peers in this Program are the regions' finest. They are an essential part of the experience, so we ensure you work with the very best.
  4. Rewards and Recognitions:

    1st Prize – Rs. 5 Lakh

    2nd Prize – Rs. 3 Lakh

    3rd Prize – Rs. 2 Lakh

PLANETARIUM CHALLENGE PROCESS

  1. The Planetarium Challenge will be available on https://innovateindia.mygov.in/
  2. The last date of submission of entry is 20th October 2021
  3. The applicant needs to login on th eMyGov portal: www.mygov.in
  4. Applicants are advised to provide self-contained proposals essential supporting materials provided as uploads for an informed and fair evaluation/review.
  5. No changes will be accepted once proposals are submitted.
  6. Providing incorrect information will lead to outright rejection of proposals.

EVALUATION

Our evaluators will review all the submitted entries under different fields.

A set of evaluators will assess each application to ensure the best submission gets selected.

All entries will be checked for their originality. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified.

The technology proposed needs to be showcased. The submission should include a written brief about the technology within 500 words.

The evaluators reserve the right to select or reject any submission without assigning any reasons whatsoever and without thereby incurring any liability to the participant(s) whatsoever.

The applications will be evaluated on different parameters:

SL.No Parameter Description

1

Approach towards problem-solving

Product Idea, Degree of
Innovation, Novelty of Approach.

2

Business Use Case

U.S.P., Monetization Plan and Vision

3

Solution Technical Feasibility

Product Features, Multilingual, Scalability and
Usability

4

Start-up Type

Start-ups Incubated by Educational Institutions

5

Use of latest Tech

Integration of A.R., V.R., M.R.
into the system

6

Content

Astronomical Educational Content

7

Mobility

The technology used should be mobile and cost effective

TIMELINES

1.

Program Launch Date

11th September 2021

2.

Last Registration Date

20th October 2021

3.

Ideation Stage

To be announced

4.

Presentation & Prototype Stage

To be announced

5.

Product Building Stage

To be announced

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

  1. The Contest is open to Indian Citizens only.
  2. All entries must be submitted on www.mygov.in. Entries submitted through any other medium/ mode would not be considered for evaluation.
  3. The decision of MyGov will be final and binding with regard to selection on all stages.
  4. By making a submission in the Contest, all participants warrant and represent that to the best of their knowledge, their submission is original and does not violate or infringe of any third-party trade secret, "know-how," copyright, patent or other intellectual property right. Participants also warrant and represent that there are no obligations of any nature, legal or otherwise, which would prohibit, restrict, or interfere with their participation in the Contest or submission of their design report, and agree to obtain any necessary clearances, authorizations and/or approvals prior to participation.
  5. The participants agree that MyGov will share information submitted by the participants as to panel experts, reviewers etc. (any information that you may not want to share publicly should not be submitted).
  6. MyGov does not claim ownership over any Intellectual Property Right (I.P.R.) for the Innovation that is sent to us by submitting an application.
  7. The I.P.R. shall remain with the applicant at all times. Participant must ensure that his/her profile is accurate and updated since the Ministry would be using this for further communication. This includes details such as name, complete postal address and phone number. Entries with incomplete profiles would not be considered.
  8. The courts of Delhi alone shall have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with and decide any dispute whatsoever arising out of this Contest.
  9. None of the entries must contain any provocative, objectionable or inappropriate content.
  10. In case of multiple submissions of entries by the same participant, only the first entry received will be considered. All other entries would stand automatically rejected.
  11. Winner will get an opportunity to start the implementation of the project from Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi and the they may replicate the same in the other planetariums on Pan-India basis in partnership with NeGD, MyGov and Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML)
  12. MyGov reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, suspend this Contest and modify the rules, prizes & funding related to the Contest without prior notice. In no event shall MyGov or any other organizers be liable for any claims, losses, expenses or damages, arising out of or in connection with the foregoing.

Corrigendum

Additional Terms & Conditions:

Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi would sign a contract with one or more winners of the contest for a Build-Operate-Own model based commercial project at Nehru Planetarium, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Teen Murti House, New Delhi on following broad terms:

  1. The implementation of AR/ VR systems at the Planetarium (one or more) shall be done on Build-Operate-Own (BOO) model.
  2. The winner shall keep reasonable ticket pricing for each AR/VR system.
  3. The project will be at 70:30 or Rs. 10,000/- per month, whichever is more, revenue sharing basis.
  4. The winner shall ascertain the space and other technical requirements on site.
  5. Building up of space suiting the implementation shall be the responsibility of the service provider.
  6. The manpower for operation and maintenance of the AR/ VR systems shall be the responsibility of the winner.
  7. The time of operation of the AR/ VR systems at the Planetarium shall be from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
  8. The technology surrounding the AR/ VR system shall be built by the winner, however, the content in the system shall be approved by the Planetarium before implementation.
  9. The winner will have the flexibility to improve upon the system at its own cost.
  10. The winner shall depute its own marketing plan to attract more number of visitors.
  11. The duration of the agreement with the Planetarium will be 3 years with options of further renewal by another 3 years.
  12. The winner can implement similar services in other places across India in partnership with Nehru Planetarium.
  13. Detailed contract would be signed between the three parties (NeGD-Nehru Planetarium-Winner) once contest is over.

DISCLAIMER

MyGov platform is designed, developed and hosted by National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, and Government of India.