Like everything else in nature, humans have genetically evolved to compete with each other. But healthy competition between a few can have a major impact on us all. Several organisations around the world aim to encourage radical breakthroughs in science, engineering and technology for the benefit of humanity, by announcing lucrative prize funds to anyone who can find a solution to a particular problem. The X Prize, launched in 1996, is one such competition that has helped to inspire entirely new industries through its challenges over the years. The Ansari X Prize offered $10 million to the first privately funded team that could build a reusable spaceship capable of launching 3 people to an altitude of 100km. The prize was won in 2004 by the SpaceShipOne spacecraft, which has since become the backbone to Virgin Galactic, who offer a short period sub orbital journey to space for $200 thousand.  This year the Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize aims to stimulate innovation in non-invasive diagnostic technology that can accurately diagnose a set of diseases. The tricorder featured in Star Trek, was once the stuff of science fiction, but perhaps this type of handheld device will be as common as the mobile phone in the hands of medical professionals or even parents. Only time will tell, but most likely this will only be the start of a new wave of futuristic medical devices. Image: The RPF forum
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Like everything else in nature, humans have genetically evolved to compete with each other. But healthy competition between a few can have a major impact on us all. Several organisations around the world aim to encourage radical breakthroughs in science, engineering and technology for the benefit of humanity, by announcing lucrative prize funds to anyone who can find a solution to a particular problem.

The X Prize, launched in 1996, is one such competition that has helped to inspire entirely new industries through its challenges over the years. The Ansari X Prize offered $10 million to the first privately funded team that could build a reusable spaceship capable of launching 3 people to an altitude of 100km. The prize was won in 2004 by the SpaceShipOne spacecraft, which has since become the backbone to Virgin Galactic, who offer a short period sub orbital journey to space for $200 thousand. 

This year the Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize aims to stimulate innovation in non-invasive diagnostic technology that can accurately diagnose a set of diseases. The tricorder featured in Star Trek, was once the stuff of science fiction, but perhaps this type of handheld device will be as common as the mobile phone in the hands of medical professionals or even parents. Only time will tell, but most likely this will only be the start of a new wave of futuristic medical devices.

Image: The RPF forum