Airbus kicks off the Critical App Challenge in the Middle East

Elancourt, 5 September 2018 – Airbus has kicked off the innovation initiative “Critical App Challenge” for the Middle East to set in motion regional developers and start-ups to create the best applications for public safety users.

Airbus is giving life to a digital ecosystem for its secure device Tactilon Dabat, an Android smartphone and Tetra radio in one. The aim is to establish new digital solutions to help police, firefighters and other professionals improve their work.

The Critical App Challenge’s concept is based on the idea of Hackathons: Software pioneers, user interface designers, and business managers work together intensively in a limited amount of time towards building proofs of concept for innovative digital solutions.

Start-up companies and app creators from the Middle East can enrol for the online challenge on the website https://criticalappmena.bemyapp.com/. An expert jury will then select the five best participants who can show the most promising and feasible results at the end of September. The winners will subsequently be invited to present their applications at the GITEX exhibition in Dubai from 14th and 18th October. GITEX is one of the most important fairs in the Middle East in the field of electronics and future digital technologies.

“We are looking for path-breaking ideas for our Tactilon Dabat. This Critical App Challenge in the Middle East is a unique incentive for inventive minds. Contributors profit from getting special access to mission-critical markets,” says Rahim Zaknoun, Head of Innovation & Developer Ecosystem at Secure Land Communication of Airbus.

Airbus sets up next-generation secure communication platforms where the Tactilon Dabat plays a pivotal role in gathering and processing intelligence for professionals. The device received the International Critical Communications Award 2018 in the category “Best evolution to future broadband” and meets all the security standards for narrow- or broadband networks. Device users can take advantage of special mobile public safety apps that are available through Airbus.

Application developers who are generally interested in cooperating with Airbus in the field of mission- or business-critical communication can register for the SmarTWISP programme on the “Secure Land Communications” website. They will find a starter kit which helps make new mission-critical applications. Once approved for a free membership, subscribers can access guidelines, tools and the application programming interface (API). Furthermore, members benefit from special training, tools, and reward schemes.

Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Secure Land Communications (www.securelandcommunications.com)

Secure Land Communications (SLC), an Airbus business unit, offers advanced communication and collaboration solutions to gather, process and deploy intelligence. Its portfolio is tailored to the needs of Public Safety, Defence and Transport, Utility and Industry (TUI). It includes infrastructures, devices, applications and services based on Tetra, Tetrapol and Broadband technologies (either single, hybrid or multi-technology solutions). As the European leader and a key international player, SLC has customers in more than 80 countries and employs around 1,150 people in 17 countries.

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