Building the future: How young S’poreans are driving social change through tech

Can an arcade game help seniors stay healthy? Can artificial intelligence (AI) make travelling on the MRT more inclusive? Can technology help us build a kinder, more connected world?

For past winners of Huawei’s Tech4City competition, the answer is yes. Now in its fourth edition, Tech4City continues to challenge youth to take the lead by developing smart, sustainable solutions for issues that affect everyday life, from healthcare and education to urban mobility. And many are already creating real-world impact with their projects. 

Backed by a growing ecosystem of partners, Tech4City also offers more than just prizes. Participants gain access to mentorship, skill-building programmes and a path to scale their ideas into innovations that will benefit others.

With its vision of “Empowering Our Shared Digital Future”, this year’s Tech4City calls on participants to build intelligent, inclusive and sustainable solutions that drive digital transformation while addressing local needs.

The competition supports priorities like Smart Nation 2.0, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and the Digital for Life movement, focusing on how technology can improve lives and strengthen communities.

Participants are invited to innovate under three key themes: Smart Healthcare, Smart Education and Smart City. 

The first, Smart Healthcare, focuses on addressing challenges related to ageing populations, mental wellness and access to care. Participants are encouraged to harness digital tools to support preventive healthcare, deliver personalised treatments and promote healthier communities.

The second pillar, Smart Education, looks at reimagining how people learn throughout their lives. This includes the use of AI-driven content, immersive classroom experiences and accessible digital platforms that foster digital literacy and bridge learning gaps.

The third, Smart City, calls for the use of data, internet of things (IoT) technologies and AI to build urban environments that are greener, safer and more connected. 

To support participants at different stages of their innovation journey, Tech4City introduces two tracks this year. The Budding Youths track is open to students from junior colleges, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. The Onwards Entrepreneurship track targets university students and start-ups.

This dual-track model encourages cross-generational collaboration and ensures that innovation remains accessible to youth with varying levels of experience and technical expertise.

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From making public spaces more inclusive to helping seniors stay active, these winning projects at past editions of Tech4City show how technology can improve everyday life.

• PrimePlay by Golden Gamers (2024 Grand Prize Winner)

The idea was simple: make exercise fun again, especially for seniors who find traditional fitness equipment uninspiring.

Three biomedical engineering graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) spoke with seniors and found many were more intrigued by arcade games than treadmills. That insight led to PrimePlay, a suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered fitness games tailored to older adults.

The games feature colourful, interactive tools like Happy Feet dance mats and Grow Your Grip motion sensors, designed to improve balance and strength through play. A companion mobile app tracks vital health data and offers personalised fitness tips.

Their concept won the 2024 grand prize at Tech4City, along with $20,000 in funding. Happy Feet was piloted at Bedok Sunflower Residents’ Network and Bedok Bougainvillea Residents’ Network, receiving positive feedback from participants and staff.

• Mobility Traffic Crossing System by Team Mobility (2023 Winner – Best Innovation in Mobility)

Crossing the road can be stressful for those with mobility challenges. Team Mobility, made up of three 18-year-old students from ITE College East, decided to do something about it.

Their Mobility Traffic Crossing System uses AI and camera technology to detect mobility aids like wheelchairs and walking sticks in real time. When someone using such a device approaches a pedestrian crossing, the system automatically extends the green-light timing, removing the need to tap concession cards.

Developed using Huawei’s ModelArts AI platform and cloud services, the solution was awarded the Best Innovation in Mobility in the 2024 competition, along with $3,000 from SBS Transit. The team also took home the top prize in their category, beating 143 other teams in the process. 

• SiLViA by FingerDance (2022 Grand Prize Winner)

FingerDance, the team that won the 2022 Tech4City grand prize with their AI sign language translation application, built on their existing start-up by joining the Huawei Cloud Incubator programme after the competition.

In 2024, FingerDance and SBS Transit jointly launched the AI-powered Sign Language Virtual Assistant, SiLViA. This virtual avatar uses advanced AI models to convert speech or text into sign language.

SiLViA is currently being trialled at Chinatown MRT station on the North East Line, helping hard-of-hearing commuters navigate public transport more independently and safely.

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Beyond the pitch

Since its launch in 2022, Tech4City has attracted more than 1,000 participants and inspired over 300 innovation proposals. But what sets it apart is what happens after the final pitch.

Many past winners have successfully gone on to test their ideas in real-world settings, secure partnerships, and even launch start-ups with the support of Huawei and its wider network.

Maxi Wang, chief executive officer of Huawei International, says: “Transformation begins with the smallest steps, guided by the belief that technology must serve humanity, drive social good and create meaningful change in communities. 

“At Huawei, our commitment to talent development reflects our mission to empower the next generation of problem-solvers and support Singapore’s vision of an inclusive and sustainable future.”

Winners receive access to mentorship, Huawei’s global programmes and certified online ICT courses. These include over 250 industry-recognised learning modules in English and Chinese, which cover everything from cloud computing and cybersecurity to AI and solution architecture.

Beyond the competition itself, Tech4City acts as a launchpad for young innovators to join the broader conversation on sustainable development, digital inclusion and smart urban living.

“Investing in innovation today is vital to co-create a better tomorrow,” says Glenn Neo, director of Innovation and Capabilities Enablement at Synapxe, one of the competition’s partners.

“We are pleased to be part of Tech4City and partner with Ng Teng Fong General Hospital to work with young minds and tech start-ups to reimagine the future of healthcare.”

This spirit of ecosystem collaboration runs through the entire programme. Partners include SBS Transit, the Health Promotion Board, National Youth Council, and several local universities and institutes of higher learning – all of whom contribute to mentoring, piloting and refining ideas for public benefit.

Huawei’s Wang adds: “Together with our partners, we are paving the way for innovation and collective progress, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.”

Join Tech4City 2025 and turn your ideas into impact. Registration is open from now until July 31, 2025.