Students Use AI to Rethink How Cities Move
Through Otis’ Made to Move Communities™ global challenge, students will put Artificial Intelligence to work to design mobility solutions that are more inclusive and more sustainable for the people who use them every day.
From Idea to Impact: Transforming Urban Mobility
Artificial Intelligence is changing how we tackle messy, real-world problems. Over the coming months, more than 250 students from schools across 15+ countries will take part in the Made to Move Communities challenge, exploring where AI can make city travel smoother, safer, and easier to access.
Each participating team will be supported by volunteer mentors from Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the elevator and escalator company. That guidance helps students connect classroom ideas to practical questions about how people actually move through buildings, neighborhoods, and entire cities.
Why AI, Why Now
Randi Tanguay, Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer at Otis, underscored the promise she sees in the next wave of innovators: “We believe that the next generation of innovation will use AI to make moving in and around cities easier and more efficient for all.” With AI tools rapidly maturing, students are well positioned to learn, experiment, and shape early solutions that put people at the center of transportation.
Why AI Matters in Growing Cities
According to the World Bank, more than 56% of the world’s population already lives in urban areas, and that share is projected to climb to nearly 70% by 2050. As cities grow, infrastructure strains. Congestion worsens, air quality suffers, and the burden often falls hardest on communities with fewer resources.
Tackling Real Transportation Problems
Ezhil Nanjappan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Otis, called out how quickly change is arriving: “AI is already reshaping transportation, enabling self-driving cars, optimizing traffic flows, and supporting drones in delivering resources where needed.” He noted that Made to Move Communities aims to inspire students and help narrow the STEM skills gap that future innovators will need to bridge.
A New Milestone: Naming a Global Winner
Since launching in 2020, Made to Move Communities has engaged more than 750 students alongside Otis colleagues around the world. Participating schools have received roughly $1 million in grants from Otis to deepen STEM learning and keep momentum going after the challenge ends.
This year adds a new layer of ambition. In addition to regional contests, students will compete for a global team champion title—setting a fresh benchmark for what thoughtful, AI-enabled mobility ideas can look like on a bigger stage.
Elevating Local Ideas to Global Solutions
Teams will show how a solution designed for a local need could scale to help other communities. Champions will receive additional funding to grow their educational programs, encouraging students to think beyond a single site and consider how an approach can travel from one city to many.
Staying Curious, Staying Involved
To learn more about Made to Move Communities, you can follow updates on Otis’ platforms. The global challenge is about more than winning; it’s about nurturing ongoing curiosity, building skills, and keeping students engaged with the everyday problems that shape how we move.
About Otis Worldwide Corporation
Otis helps people connect and thrive in a more urban world. Each day, Otis moves 2.3 billion people and operates and maintains an extensive service portfolio of approximately 2.3 million units worldwide. The company remains focused on meeting diverse customer needs and improving urban mobility—one ride, one building, one city at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Made to Move Communities™?
It’s a global Otis initiative where students use AI to tackle real challenges in urban mobility—finding ways to make getting around cities easier, more inclusive, and more sustainable.
Who can take part in the challenge?
Students from a range of schools across more than 15 countries participate. They’re supported by volunteer mentors from Otis (NYSE: OTIS) throughout the challenge.
How does AI show up in urban transportation?
AI already plays a role in areas like self-driving vehicles, traffic-flow optimization, and drone-assisted deliveries. In this program, students explore how those kinds of tools can translate into practical mobility improvements.
What funding has the program provided to schools?
Since 2020, participating schools have collectively received around $1 million in grants from Otis to further strengthen STEM activities tied to the challenge.
What is Otis’ broader commitment to mobility?
Otis is a leader in elevators and escalators, moving 2.3 billion people daily and servicing approximately 2.3 million units worldwide. The company focuses on reliable service and solutions that help cities function well for the people who live and work in them.
