Winners of the Automechanika Innovation Awards Unveiled
2012/12/18 | By Quincy LiangEight-member jury selects the nine winners from 117 entries
Besides being the world's largest auto-parts trade show, Automechanika Frankfurt is also the backdrop for the Automechanika Innovation Awards, an event that honors innovations in auto parts development to perhaps push the next wave in the industry and create potentially promising business opportunities.
Held among several key activities alongside the biennial Automechanika in Frankfurt, the Automechanika Innovation Awards typically builds anticipation among industry professionals as they look forward to seeing not only technological advancements, but also perhaps potential moneymakers for their businesses.
The winners of the 2012 Automechanika Innovation Awards were announced a few days before the show, held Sept. 11-16, 2012. An independent eight-member jury selected the nine winners from 117 entries at a meeting in late August. Fifty-four of the products entered came from Germany and 58 from 15 other countries, especially France, Italy, The Netherlands, the U.K. and Belgium.
The awards were presented during the Automechanika opening ceremony, with the five best products in each category displayed in the Innovation Awards showcase in the Foyer of Hall 4.1 during the show period.
Winners Profiled
Company: NTN-SNR Roulements
Product: NTN In-wheel motor system
World's lightest and most compact, this motor achieves driving performance equivalent to a compact vehicle via driving two wheels, with maximum speed of 150km/h, and
improved driving performance via independent control of driving force of the right and left wheels.
Company: Delphi France SAS
Product: Delphi telematics
Delphi telematics is an enabling, wireless communication technology allowing the aftermarket to “talk” with customers via a device installed on-vehicle, offering vehicle diagnostics, roadside assistance, service maintenance reminders, vehicle health monitoring and incident management.
Company: Prins Autogassystemen BV
Product: Prins Direct LiquiMax System
The Prins Direct LiquiMax system (bi-fuel and monofuel LPG operation) achieves lower fuel cost and reduction in emission, like CO2 (up to 15%) and particles (up to 90%), without losing drivability and performance and by starting directly on LPG, as well as having the world's first R115 certification.
Company: Steelmate Co., Ltd.
Product: Tire Pressure Monitoring System DIY TPMS TP-70
The STEELMATE's latest DIY TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) enhances driving confidence. The cigarette lighter display and the lightest external sensors allow DIY installation within 5 minutes. With CE, E-mark and FCC certifications, this device helps to save money, fuel, reduce tire wear and is easy to maintain.
Company: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
Product: VAS 6558A high-voltage module
The VAS 6558A high-voltage module is an essential tool to ensure optimum maintenance condition of e-vehicle range. All measurement functions required for electric vehicles are housed in one compact unit. Particular emphasis is on documenting the test procedure and results through integration with the guided troubleshooting process.
Company: Hunter Engineering Company
Product: RFT GSP9700 vibration control system
The RFT GSP9700 is a wheel balancer with an integral contact pressure roller which subjects a wheel to simulated road force measurements before balancing. The contact pressure roller measures the radial (radial run-out, out of trueness and tire rigidity) and lateral (side run-out) forces of a wheel which hitherto could only be measured with industrial machinery.
Company: ApplicoData GmbH
Product: "My dealership and I" - Smartphone app for dealership customers
This app is an innovative solution to create loyalty and enhance customer-dealership dialogue to take such communications to a new level. Directly connecting the app to dealerships' DMS, this app puts modern dealerships in your pocket.
Company: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG
Product: Karcher additional wheel rim cleaning program
The Kärcher wheel cleaning program guides customer systematically and efficiently through the washing process via using the high pressure lance. The system is very efficient since only 400 ml/min of water-and-detergent solution is used. In addition the alkaline wheel cleaner contains no NTA and removes dirt whilst protecting a rim.
Company: Robert Bosch GmbH
Product: Bosch hybrid components for Axle-Split-Drive-System
Working in collaboration with PSA, Bosch has achieved the world's first hybridization of diesel engines, delivering a significant (around 25%) improvement in fuel economy. The new Axle Split Strong Hybrid System is a combination of a combustion engine and an electric rear final drive that can be easily integrated into existing drive systems.