About the Challenge

We invite teams to submit proposals showcasing innovative on-device solutions that use a Gemma model running locally or on edge hardware to solve a real Windsor-Essex problem.

Build For Windsor - Example Ideas:

Solve a real problem we face in Windsor-Essex. This comes down to a convincing pitch. Be ready to explain why the problem you selected is on theme, and back it up with stats and sources!

Track 1. Border, bridges, tunnel, and transportation

A crossing-time predictor for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Ambassador Bridge, and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel that runs offline in the cab of a truck
A commercial driver's document assistant that checks customs paperwork on-device, so shipment data never leaves the truck
An offline bilingual (or multilingual) assistant for travellers and newcomers approaching the border
Pothole and road-defect detection from a dashcam feed, running entirely on the phone, that files a 311-style report
A transit assistant for Transit Windsor that answers routing questions offline at the stop

Track 2. Life in Windsor

An offline pizza-shop line cook's assistant that reads handwritten or phoned-in orders and turns them into ticket-ready items, so a busy Friday night doesn't depend on the shop's Wi-Fi
An offline guide to Windsor festivals, patios, and riverfront events, positioned on a weatherproof terminal
An offline fish identification and regulations assistant for Lake Erie anglers that runs entirely offline,
Foot-traffic and dwell counter for a specific BIA - must include privacy measures and Windsor-specific reasoning
An accessibility tool or post for navigating Windsor's downtown and waterfront

Your solution can be a web app, desktop application, mobile app, embedded device, or any other software that showcases the power of local AI.

Teams must include 2-4 people. This challenge is open to everyone: students, recent graduates, professional developers, hobbyists, makers, and career changers. You do not need to be enrolled in a program, and you do not need to work in tech.

At least one team member should be able to attend in person.

Teams must be able to attend the in-person presentations on November 20th and DevFest on November 21st in Windsor, Ontario. (https://wedevfest.com/)

Each team may work with one mentor or faculty advisor, who may represent multiple teams. Mentors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the event. Only team members are eligible for prizes; mentors and advisors are not included in awards.

Requirements

Proposal and Video Demo for Phase 1 (November 20th) - Submission Instructions

Teams will prepare a proposal introducing an innovative on-device solution that uses a Gemma model running locally or on edge hardware to solve a real Windsor-Essex problem.

Each team will prepare and submit a slide deck summarizing their concept. The deck must not exceed 10 content slides. Title and divider slides do not count toward this limit.

The structure may vary, but it must address all of the following evaluation criteria:

Team introduction and roles
Clear problem description, and why it matters in Windsor-Essex
Envisioned solution
Which Gemma model you are using, and how it is deployed on the device
Rationale for running on the edge rather than in the cloud (privacy, latency, connectivity, cost)
Impact on the community the solution serves
Real-world viability: who would use this, and what it would take to put it in their hands
Solution demo
Q&A

Teams must also record and submit a presentation video (maximum 15 minutes).

Submissions must include:

Slide deck
Video presentation
A link to the working prototype: a public code repository, plus a build we can run (APK, installer, or binary) or a recorded run on the target device. A short note naming the hardware (single-board computer, in-vehicle unit, and so on)

Build with Gemma - Innovate in Windsor

Prize breakdown

Timeline