VW and NGC's "Innovations for everyone"

The brand that signifies innovations is in news again. Volkswagen's innovative print ads like 'Roadblock', 'Hole-in-the-paper' and 'The talking newspaper' attracted consumer attention and industry eyeballs. The brand with its promise of coming back with innovations, had launched "Innovations for Everyone", a first of its kind campaign in India in September 2010. It was aimed at identifying the potential of relevant innovations that could lead to technological or scientific breakthroughs to help improve quality of life.

In the quest to discover India's most innovative and creative ideas in the field of technology, reengineering, and environment, Volkswagen received an overwhelming participation of more than 5000 individuals.

This was conducted in close association with the National Geographic Channel.

The grand finale showcased the three winning innovations each of who were monetarily awarded for their efforts by Volkswagen. The final winning innovation which was decided by public voting was also awarded, the Vento, Volkswagen's latest premium entry level sedan.

The top three were by Balaji KV, Santosh K and Alok Agarwal. Balaji KV invented the USB to USB copier. The innovation allows to transfer of data from any removable storage device to other removable storage device with the help of hand held mobile device which will be using a USB technology. The innovation was build from recycled material. The device which still has to be patented was selected the winner in the people's voting.

The second innovation created by Alok Agarwal was Biofeedback, a technique that trains people to improve their health by getting feedback from bodily processes. The concept was expanded by integrating a feedback device in the mechanical angle measuring instrument- Goniometer. Santosh K's innovation was the PPP Model for Idling Pollution Control. The proposal was to create a wireless- enabled idling sensor technology for vehicles and deliver an integrated pollution control solution.

Speaking on this occasion to Adgully, Lutz Kothe, Head of Marketing & PR, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales, said: "One of our core brand values is 'Innovation'. The initiative is innovationaforeveryone.com, this also caters to our understanding of innovation. We do not innovate for the sake of one person or for the sake of our engineers. We talk about democraticisation of innovation which means that these innovations should cater to the demands and the needs of our customers. So good things came together with National Geographic Channel and that is why this initiative."

Keertan Adyanthaya, Managing Director, Fox International Channel & National Geographic Network India says, "India has some tremendous potential and in the past has also given some of the greatest talents such as Amartya Sen, APJ Abdul Kalam, CV Raman to the world. It is imperative that we should leverage the talent of the country and bring it to light. At Nat Geo it's been our constant endeavor to encourage people to live curious. With Nat Geo Volkswagen Innovation for Everyone, the channel takes pride to provide all the budding innovators an opportunity to put their out-of-the-box ideas to test. We are extremely excited to put these ideas into practice and encourage Innovation in the country". | By Prabha Hegde [prabha(at)adgully.com]