Uber pledges HK$200,000 to help Children’s Palliative Care Foundation to support children’s transportation needs
Written by
Uber and Children’s Palliative Care Foundation (CPCF), an entity owned by Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF), are excited to announce the winners of the Taxi Reimagined Kids Drawing Competition. At the same time, Uber is honored to pledge HK$200,000 to CPCF to support the foundation with one year’s worth of transportation for children with special healthcare needs.
Easing the Burden of Children with Special Needs
Taking public transportation or taxis from point A to point B comes very naturally to many of us, but for children with life-limiting illnesses, finding accessible transportation is never easy. Patients who rely on wheelchairs or life-supporting equipment require special commuting arrangements and point-to-point, barrier-free transportation. Children’s Palliative Care Foundation provides rehabilitation bus services to relieve the burden of parents and encourages social integration. While some children have to commute across districts to hospitals several times a week for follow-up consultations, it can be a struggle if children require emergency support. Driven by our commitment to supporting these children’s transportation needs, Uber is honored to donate HK$200,000 to CPCF to cover a year’s worth of Uber Taxi rides and daily expenses of rehab buses, easing their burden of commuting to hospitals and clinics.
Taxi Reimagined Competition Receives Close to 300 Submissions
Uber and the CPCF are delighted to have received close to 300 entries for the Taxi Reimagined Kids Drawing Competition this summer, which invited children between ages 3 to 12 to reimagine the future of taxis. All the submissions offered original and visionary solutions to make taxis more accessible. While some proposed transforming taxi cabins to accommodate the needs of children in wheelchairs with life support medical equipment, others created entertainment and games to make taxi rides more fun. Among the submissions also included designs that will make mobility more sustainable.
There are a total of 5 prizes for each age group, and finalists were selected by a judging panel that consists of representatives from Uber, CPCF, local illustrator Mr. Felix Ip, and Uber Taxi Driver-Partners. The grand prize – Most Considerate Taxi Design – also factored in the number of public votes on CPCF’s Facebook page.
“Most Considerate Taxi Design” Winners
|
Group 1 (Age 3 – 6): NG King Yeung, Theo
In Theo’s own words: This is a “Happy Taxi” (開心的士) because it gives riders complete control of the taxi. Through voice control and a touchscreen, it’ll activate the vehicle and drive autonomously to the destination. Children with illnesses have fewer opportunities to go out, so the dome-shaped designed transparent glass body will take these children up to the sky or down on the ground with high wheels to appreciate the scenic views along the way, without having to worry about traffic congestion. Music and drinks are also provided in the taxi. A lift platform is available at the rear back of the car to make this taxi accessible to wheelchair-bound riders. The spacious taxi is also equipped with electric sockets for the use of life-supporting machines. (Translated from Chinese submission) |
|
Group 2 (Age 7 – 12): CHIU Pak To, Paco ）
In Paco’s own words: 50 years later, “UBER BUDDY Happiness (UBER BUDDY愉快號)” can travel under water, on land, and in the air, or even fly to outerspace. The retractable design can expand or shrink the cabin size according to the number of riders. Equipped with solar panels, the taxi can save energy and reduce pollution. The ergonomic seating can provide door-to-door escort service for riders, along with wheelchair seats, disinfection products, hot and cold water, constant temperature setting, VR scenery, gaming services and more, which takes care of the needs of driver-partners, riders, and children with special needs. (Translated from Chinese submission) |
Uber Taxi driver-partner appreciation day on Mid-Autumn Festival
Uber Taxi driver-partners play a key part in our daily lives by driving us safely across the city – and especially on Mid-Autumn Festival, so we can spend this important day with family. To thank them for supporting Taxi Reimagined Kids Drawing Competition, and to wish them a year of great harvest, this Mid Autumn Festival (10 September 2022), Uber will match each dollar amount* when a rider tips their Uber Taxi driver-partner. For example, if a rider tips the taxi driver-partner HK$20, Uber will match a HK$20 tip for the taxi driver-partner.
We are also celebrating the winning designs** of the Taxi Reimagined Kids Drawing Competition on taxis starting from 10 September 2022 to 31 October 2022. Make sure to look out for these colorful and fun taxis across the city in the coming two months!
Estyn Chung, General Manager of Uber Hong Kong says, “It’s been a very humbling experience as we enlisted the creative minds of children to rethink the future of taxis. The entries have shown innovation, love, and hope. Please join me in congratulating these children for their inspirational submissions, and thanking taxi drivers for serving our community day in and day out. I truly believe that Uber and Taxis can join hands to offer a better solution to the everyday lives of people in need. I hope this event and our donation to the CPCF will not only ease the financial burden of families with sick children, but more importantly, help raise awareness for the need of a truly inclusive and barrier-free city, especially for those who are most in need of accessible rides.”
Vera Chin, Chief Executive Officer of CPCF says, “We are excited to see so many kids participating, using their imagination about what barrier-free transportation should look like. Wouldn’t it be great for all commuters, including young patients with more acute commuting needs, can get around more independently? Meanwhile, we are incredibly grateful for Uber’s support in the awareness and donation to the palliative care needs in Hong Kong. Stay tuned as the two winning artworks tour the city starting from September 10, 2022!”
*Uber Taxi driver-partner appreciation day’s tip matching event is only valid for one day on Mid Autumn Festival (10 September 2022), and is only applicable to Uber Taxi trips taken on the same day. Tip matching is capped at HK$20.
**Winning designs of “Most Considerate Taxi Design” will be adapted to the Taxi Reimagined Kids Drawing Competition taxi feature wrap. Only drawings of taxis will be included, backgrounds will be omitted.
Full list of awardees:
| Winners (Group 1: 3 – 6 years old) | Winners (Group 2: 7–12 years old) |
| 1. Grand prize: Most Considerate Taxi Design | |
|
Ng King Yeung, Theo
This is a Happy Taxi (開心的士). It gives riders complete control of the vehicle. Through voice control and a touchscreen, riders can activate the vehicle, which will drive autonomously to the destination. Children with illnesses have fewer opportunities to go out. Combining a dome-shaped transparent glass body with high wheels, the taxi will allow these children to look up to the sky or down to the ground and appreciate the scenery while avoiding traffic congestion. The taxi also provides music and drinks. A lift platform is available at the rear end of the car, making it accessible to wheelchair-bound riders. The spacious taxi is also equipped with electric sockets for life-supporting machines. |
Chiu Pak To, Paco
UBER BUDDY Happiness Taxi (UBER BUDDY愉快號) can travel underwater, on land, in the air, or even fly to outer space. The retractable design allows the cabin to expand or shrink depending on the number of riders. Equipped with solar panels, the taxi can save energy and reduce pollution while providing door-to-door transportation services to riders. To ensure that the needs of driver-partners, riders, and children with special needs are taken care of, the vehicle comes with ergonomic seats, wheelchair seats, disinfection products, hot and cold water, temperature control, VR scenery, gaming services, and more.
|
| 2. Most Playful & Creative Design | |
|
Lam Hau Ying, Megan
This future taxi is capable of flying up to the sky and diving into the ocean. A pair of wings are attached to the roof of the car. The left-wing includes a classroom while the right-wing holds a library that allows children to study as they travel. The taxi includes five separate cabins. The cabin on the left contains a ball washing machine. The second cabin is a kids-only seating area. The remaining three cabins are mini-zoos. I believe that children must feel extra joyful in this car. Drivers are seated in the bottom corner of the house-shaped vehicle. When submerging into the ocean, a lifeguard robot sits next to the driver to ensure the safety of all passengers. (Translated from Chinese submission) |
Chan Hei Yiu, Hannah
The name of my taxi is S.D.U Taxi. It stands for Super Duper Uber Taxi. I was inspired by Dr. Seuss to draw taxis to be more colourful and creative. And I imagine taxis in the future will be more convenient, so I added the escalator, slide and rocket so that taxis would not need to stop for the passengers to get on and off.
|
| 3. Most Stylish Taxi Design | |
|
Chan Man Chun
This solar-powered air-shooting eco-friendly amphibious vehicle was inspired by pigeons as the animal can walk on the ground and fly freely in the sky. The vehicle emulates the streamlined shape of pigeons. It provides special seats for pregnant women, children, newborns, and people with disabilities. (Translated from Chinese submission) |
Chan Wai Lok, Willard
This vehicle can fly in the air and float above the ground. The body of the car is shaped like animals. This vehicle’s accessible design also provides space and facilities for people with special needs. (Translated from Chinese submission)
|
| 4. Most Futuristic Taxi Design | |
|
Shum Ngo Him, Reiss
My design is called Sea Land Air Animal Taxi. It can travel in the air, through water, and on land. The taxi also has a futuristic design. Its exteriors are modeled on three adorable yet endangered animals – the hyacinth macaw, the green sea turtle, and the orangutan. Aside from making the rides more attractive to children, the taxi also aims to promote the positive message of animal protection and bring hope to children. (Translated from Chinese submission)
|
Leung Tsun Ting
From our home in Hong Kong to the Universal Studios in Singapore, the pyramids in Egypt, and even the outer space, this future Uber Taxi will allow us to overcome vast distances and travel freely all around the world. My future Uber Taxi is inspired by the supernatural character Mewtwo from the cartoon series Pokémon. It possesses the same ethereal powers as the character. In addition to being able to move quickly across borders, there are dorsal claws on either side of the car’s rear. The Pokeball on the left carries children with physical disabilities, allowing them to travel while sitting in their wheelchairs and, reducing the inconvenience of getting on and off the car. The red-headed, gyro-shaped Uber creature next to the Pokeball fulfills children’s entertainment needs and keeps them calm. On the right is Uber’s exclusive ambulance robot, which is responsible for ensuring the personal safety of drivers and passengers. I look forward to realising this vision of future mobility, providing convenience and better service for those in need. (Translated from Chinese submission) |
| 5. Taxi Design Most Loved by Uber Taxi Driver-Partner | |
|
Poon Cheuk Yin, Alvin
The name of my taxi is Free and Happy Taxi (自由快樂的士). The clouds and wings on the taxi are meant to make people feel like they are flying freely in the air and give them happiness. The reason behind the taxi’s colourful design is to make sick children happier. The slide on the taxi is to make it easier for sick children to get down. (Translated from Chinese submission)
|
Yeung Chun Leong, Carson
My taxi is called Automatic Taxi (自動的士). As the name implies, it is a self-driving taxi. I created it by imagining the future. There are holographic projectors on the top. The bright eyes in the front light up when it’s dark. There is also a huge cabin inside. (Translated from Chinese submission)
|
