The finalists in the Automotive Innovation Award 2021 have been announced: six innovations are competing for the highest ratings in the Technology and Services categories of the biennial election. Even before the winner is known, it is clear that these finalists are contributing much-needed knowledge and expertise to the national and international automotive industry. The final of the AIA will take place on 20 September 2021.
The finalists in the Automotive Innovation Award 2021 have been announced. The judges had the Herculean task of choosing six finalists from ten nominees. According to the jury, the six contenders are of a very high level, underscoring the key position that the Netherlands occupies in the automotive industry: brimming with innovative power, knowledge and added value. Even when the innovations have yet to gain a foothold in the market.
The finalists in alphabetical order, divided into the two categories, are as follows:
Technology (product-oriented innovations):
o Ebusco – EBUSCO 3.0
The EBUSCO 3.0 is a bus made entirely of composite, and is therefore more sustainable, efficient and 33% lighter than a conventional bus.
o InkInvent – Rheolight
Rheolight is a groundbreaking coating that improves the visibility of large and small vehicles, thereby increasing road safety.
o SafeDrivePod – SafeDrivePod
SafeDrivePod enhances road safety by automatically blocking the use of phones while driving.
Services (mobility solutions such as apps, sharing concepts and data):
o ALD Automotive – ALD Move
ALD Move responds to the trend for flexible mobility solutions. The innovative credit system also encourages the sustainability of the solution.
o PowerD – PowerD
PowerD provides smart charging solutions for electric cars so that they can be charged at the moment that the electricity is being generated sustainably.
o TomTom – Hazard Warnings
For autonomous driving, Hazard Warnings combines several data sources to provide a real-time picture of road hazards and alert the driver.
Jury President Jan Peter Balkenende: ‘The Netherlands is European leader when it comes to innovation, especially in the automotive sector. The strength of the industry is underscored by the innovations that have reached the finals of the Automotive Innovation Award 2021. They are all strong entries. To remain successful, you must continue to innovate even in these uncertain times. The industry understands this. The six finalists are contributing to increasing the safety and sustainability of mobility. These elements specifically guided our choice. No matter who the winners may be, I look forward to congratulating them soon. It’s thanks to innovative players such as these that the future of the Netherlands and the automotive sector looks very promising indeed.’
Established and new names
The festive award ceremony will take place on 20 September at the Amsterdome in Amsterdam. The winners will be announced there, and will soon be able to claim their place in the gallery of honour alongside the wonderful winners of the previous editions of the AIA, including Moby Park (2015), TomTom, NXP and Dutch Green Carbon (2017) and Punch Powertrain, Monotch and Lightyear (all 2019), who won their respective categories.
About the Automotive Innovation Award
The Dutch automotive manufacturing and service industry accounts for an annual turnover of 65 billion euros and employs 120,000 people. Innovation is a decisive success factor for the development of the automotive sector.
The mobility industry faces major societal and technical challenges, including environmental impact, congestion, and the finite nature of fossil fuels. By means of the Automotive Innovation Award (AIA), the AIA Foundation aims to enhance the innovative power of the Dutch automotive sector and highlight it to the general public, politicians and the government.
The Automotive Innovation Award is awarded every two years. The first award ceremony took place in January 2015. The fourth award ceremony will take place on 20 September 2021 at the Amsterdome in Amsterdam.