Barcelona welcomed 180 international developers this morning aboard the Digital Talent Flight, an initiative by Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) and Vueling.
The flight, departing from Paris, marked the conclusion of the “We Speak Your Language” hackathon, where participants competed to create real-time translation solutions for in-flight communication without requiring an internet connection.
Upon landing, the developers arrived at the Talent Arena, Europe’s premier digital talent event, where the hackathon winners were announced. Throughout the day, participants attended workshops, conferences, and presentations led by international technology experts.
Launched in Paris, the “We Speak Your Language” hackathon challenged EPITECH university students to develop an offline real-time voice translation system to facilitate communication between flight crews and passengers in their native languages. The solutions had to be viable in an aviation setting, considering the connectivity constraints on board.
During the Paris-Barcelona flight, five finalist teams presented their solutions to a panel of industry experts. Their innovations were evaluated based on technical feasibility, usability in flight, and overall user experience. The proposals showcased diverse approaches:
- Team 1: An offline solution compatible with laptops and smartphones for real-time crew announcements.
- Team 2: A system integrating three methods for server communication, improving flexibility.
- Team 3: A QR-accessible app with a “Quick Announcements” feature tailored for specific routes.
- Team 4: A transmission system supporting five simultaneous languages.
- Team 5: A user-friendly application with an optimised interface and distinct role-separation mode.
The winning proposal, La Joconde, stood out as a holistic offline solution integrating lightweight language models for real-time synthesis and translation. Combining a robust backend with an intuitive interface, La Joconde enhances multilingual communication while adapting to the constraints of in-flight connectivity. The team will now collaborate with Vueling to explore implementation possibilities for the airline’s operations.
The Digital Talent Flight underscores MWCapital and Vueling’s dedication to establishing Barcelona as a global tech hub. By fostering innovation and attracting international digital talent, the initiative not only advances technological solutions but also strengthens industry connections and professional growth opportunities.
About Talent Arena
Talent Arena, Europe’s leading digital talent event, is organised by Mobile World Capital Barcelona and co-located with MWC Barcelona 2025. It serves as a hub where digital professionals, global tech companies, and educational institutions converge to drive innovation. The event is backed by the GSMA, the Government of Catalonia, and major industry partners including CaixaBank, Schneider Electric, and Salesforce.
About Mobile World Capital Barcelona
MWCapital is a public-private foundation dedicated to advancing digital society through technology-driven initiatives. By promoting digital talent, tech transfer, and social impact projects, MWCapital cements Barcelona’s status as a global leader in digital transformation.
About Vueling
Part of the IAG group, Vueling is a major European airline, leading connectivity in Spain and strengthening its international presence in markets like Paris-Orly and London-Gatwick. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, Vueling operates over 220 routes and aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through its FlightPath Net Zero strategy.
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