From Classroom to Corporate: Runway Rangers’ Triumph and Industry Exposure at the Cisco Hackathon
In a remarkable fusion of student talent and industry expertise, the recent Cisco Hackathon, organized by Launch Pad in partnership with Cisco and Western Sydney Airport, offered a unique platform for Western Sydney’s ICT, engineering, and business students to showcase their creativity. The hackathon not only challenged participants to innovate for Western Sydney Airport but also provided invaluable industry exposure and networking opportunities. The winning team’s prize – an experience at the Cisco Australian HQ highlighted the impactful connection between academia and industry.
Innovative Solutions and Industry Collaboration
The team known as Runway Rangers, comprising Computer Science student Donald, Business Analytics student Pearl, and ICT students Janhavi and Shuvo, captured the top prize with their cutting-edge solution. Their innovative concept featured mobile robots capable of communicating in over 150 languages, designed to guide passengers through the airport and enhance their overall experience. This victory earned them a prestigious visit to the Cisco Australian headquarters, where they had the chance to engage directly with industry leaders.
“I found pitching to the Cisco team both exciting and nerve-wracking,” stated Quency. The ultimate prize for the winning team included attending a high-level corporate branch meeting at Cisco HQ, pitching their concept to executives, and participating in an insightful mentoring and networking session.
“It was really insightful and encouraging to see what they had to say about our concept. Networking with the mentors was definitely one of the highlights of the visit.”
The team was particularly shocked when the Cisco NSW Branch Manager invited their team back to pitch again in front of their airport team.
"It was a great opportunity for me to be able to talk to them (Runway Rangers) and understand how they formulated the concept. I think what was fascinating for me was that the hackathon was done entirely over a 6 hour period. To bring four people who didn’t know each other, all with different strengths, into a room together and then them being able to come up with a concept of how technology can solve a major problem for the Western Sydney Airport was just an amazing thing to see."
The Hackathon itself was a dynamic one-day event that exemplified the region’s innovative spirit. Launch Pad’s collaboration with Cisco and Western Sydney Airport invited a vibrant group of 28 students to tackle the challenge: “innovate for Western Sydney Airport.” The day was filled with intense brainstorming and problem-solving, culminating in eight distinctive proposals.
Challenges and Insights from the Hackathon
Janhavi , a member of the winning team, provided insights into their winning idea: “Our solution, Runway Rangers, is designed to help passengers navigate the airport seamlessly. The robots can converse in over 150 languages, display directions on interactive screens, and provide guidance to various locations within the airport.” She highlighted that the solution was tailored to Western Sydney’s diverse community, where more than 100 languages are spoken.
Shuvo elaborated on their approach: “We envisioned how artificial intelligence and robotics could address language barriers at the airport. Our concept of Runway Rangers leverages AI to communicate in numerous languages, assist with navigation, and even collect facial expression data to aid airport authorities in optimizing staffing and support.”
Despite the intense and fast-paced nature of the Hackathon, the structured environment allowed participants to excel. “We began by identifying current challenges at the airport, visualizing ambitious scenarios, and then creatively developing solutions. The process also included preparing presentations and pitches,” explained Janhavi.
Team member Donald Gylles R. Varga highlighted the collaborative spirit of the group: “Despite our diverse backgrounds in Engineering, Computing, Business, Health, and Psychology, our effective communication and mutual respect allowed us to build consensus and leverage our strengths. This adaptability was key to our success.”
The event also posed significant challenges. “Time constraints and the lack of prior research were significant hurdles,” noted Quency. “With only one day to move from concept to presentation, we faced pressure but also the opportunity to innovate without hesitation. We managed to divide our research tasks effectively and support each other’s ideas, which was crucial in overcoming these obstacles.”
