Otis Announces Regional Winners in 2026 Made to Move Communities™ Challenge

Four student teams from around the world have been named regional winners in Otis’ Made to Move Communities™ student challenge. These winning teams now advance to the program’s global competition, where they will present their innovative solutions using artificial intelligence and STEM-based approaches to support vulnerable communities and first responders before, during and after natural disasters. Grounded in solving real-world mobility challenges, their concepts explore new ways to help people move safely and efficiently during crisis situations.

This year’s Made to Move Communities challenge showcased the ingenuity, teamwork and critical-thinking skills of students backed by Otis volunteers across the globe,” said Randi Tanguay, Otis Chief Communications Officer. “From early-stage development to feasibility testing to final presentations, the students demonstrated what’s possible when STEM skills are applied with purpose, and I look forward to seeing how the regional winners present their solutions in the final round.

This Year’s Theme: Natural Disasters

Now in its sixth year, the annual Made to Move Communities program inspires students to address real-world mobility challenges aligned with global trends and priorities. This year’s theme focuses on natural disasters, as students apply STEM skills and AI-driven thinking to develop mobility solutions that would help vulnerable populations and first responders globally react to increasingly frequent and severe events.

More than 200 high school students from 18 schools in 14 countries and territories participated in the Made to Move Communities challenge. Over the past several months, the student teams worked alongside more than 150 Otis mentors to develop and refine their concepts, presenting them to panels of Otis judges across the company’s four regions: Americas, Asia Pacific, Greater China and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa).

All schools participating in the Made to Move Communities challenge receive grants to support continued STEM education. Each regional winner school receives a $20,000 grant, and the global champion’s school receives an additional $15,000 for a total grant of $35,000. The global challenge champion will be announced in May. Otis (NYSE: OTIS) is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, service and modernization company.

The four regional winning teams and their solutions are:

Asia Pacific: Hiroshima Global Academy; Toyota District, Hiroshima, Japan

An AI-powered disaster-response system that would use drones to map evacuation routes in real time and guide vulnerable residents safely to shelters with light and audio cues.

Greater China: HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College; Hong Kong SAR

A combined AI and augmented reality system for first responders that would provide real-time visibility and connectivity to enhance performance in smoke-filled, low-visibility situations.

Americas: Transcona Collegiate Institute; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

A flotation device designed for wheelchair users that would provide essential support during typhoons and floods in rural areas until help arrives.

EMEA: Geniko Lyceum Filothei; Filothei, Athens, Greece

A smart rain gauge that would track rainfall fluctuations and deliver real-time alerts to local emergency management personnel. By notifying officials quickly, the gauge would enable faster delivery of aid during flash floods, especially for those most vulnerable.

To learn more about the Made to Move Communities program, visit www.otis.com/mtmc.

What is the Otis Made to Move Communities program?

Otis’ Made to Move Communities™ program is the company’s flagship social impact program. It is a global student challenge inspiring creative, STEM-based solutions to real-world mobility issues.

What are the goals of the Made to Move Communities program?

The Made to Move Communities program brings together students, educators and Otis colleagues as mentors, with the goals of advancing STEM and leadership skills to help build the next generation of talent, ensuring future workforce readiness, and sustaining innovation.

What is the community impact of the Made to Move Communities program?

Since 2020, Made to Move Communities has engaged over 1,000 Otis colleagues in mentoring more than 1,200 students, and delivered nearly 150 grants totaling over $1.5 million to support ongoing STEM education at participating schools.

Why is the Made to Move Communities program focused on natural disasters this year?

Each year, Otis identifies a theme that aligns with global trends and business priorities such as aging populations, accessibility or emerging technology.

Over the past half century, natural disasters have increased in frequency at least five-fold and have also become more intense. Disasters can often lead to or exacerbate human mobility challenges, vulnerabilities and needs among affected communities, including by first responders.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation, service and modernization of elevators and escalators, we move 2.5 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.5 million customer units worldwide – the industry's largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world's most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 45,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.