Reinvent Payphones Design Challenge

With the rise of mobile devices in the market place, we no longer feel the need of payphone and they have been disappearing around the world.   But, have you thought about a good use of these old payphones?  Lots of villages in the UK have turned red telephone boxes into mini libraries.  The system is easy – just take a book and leave one behind.  What a great idea!

NYC is not far behind when it comes to recycling the old payphones and there are some interesting initiative happening, according to CNN’s recent article “Is the pay phone making a comeback?”

Also, the City of New York is now inviting students, urban planners, designers, technologists, architects, creators and legal and policy experts to build physical and/or virtual prototypes imagining a new public utility through payphone infrastructure.  This event “Reinvent Payphones Design Challenge” offers all of us a chance to redesign New York City’s payphones.  Current payphone vendor agreements expire in 2014 and New York City is currently gathering feedback on the future of payphones.

Old Payphone turning into a book exchange in the UK

Looking for a team to work with? Visit collabfinder.com/reinventpayphones to review ideas with potential partners. The City manages a telecommunications network of 11,412 public pay payphones throughout the five boroughs. Payphone use has decreased with mobile device adoption, but payphones still serve the communications needs of thousands of New Yorkers a day, especially in times of emergency.

There will be an Open Information Session on January 23rd from 5:30 – 7:00PM at 9 MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn with City employees who manage payphone infrastructure and public space, and meet other interested participants.

Final submissions are due Monday, February 18, 2013 by 9AM EST. Submit digital files presenting your prototypes to nyc.gov/reinventpayphones. Up to 15 prototypes will be selected as semi-finalists and invited to participate in the Demo Day. Tuesday, March 5, 2013 Design Challenge Demo Day, 6:30 – 9:00PM.  For more information or to register for updates, visithttp://www.reinventpayphones.splashthat.com.