AUTO Connected Car News announces the 2020-21 Tech CARS Awards winners for the heroes and zeros of the most “unprecedented year” in automotive tech ever.
While many shows that went all digital had glitches, voices that sounded like they were garbage cans and embarrassing eye-rolling, CoMotion LA Live had no mishaps and was full of well executed discussions and panels. That is probably why the Best Virtual Automotive Show or Exposition winner is CoMotion LA Live 2020.
“CoMotion LA Live 2020 went off without a glitch and included material that was informative and interesting,” said AUTO Connected Car News’ editor Lynn Walford.
“2020 was certainly a memorable year, and adapting CoMotion LA to the challenges of COVID was no small feat. We’d like to thank AUTO Connected Car News’ readers for recognizing all the hard work that the CoMotion team put in to making the event a success,” said Jonah Bliss, VP of New Media & Marketing for CoMoiton.
Heroes
They are more than one way to combat the coronavirus. The most votes for automotive pandemic heroes went to the Ford Motor Company for for making ventilators, masks and other PPE. Ford went the extra mile. The company, in partnership with the UAW, has produced tens of millions of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet the strong demand. These include:
20 million face shields
50,000 patient ventilators
More than 32,000 powered air-purifying respirators in collaboration with 3M
1.4 million washable isolation gowns
The best technology innovation for disinfection and sanitation in automotive is GHSP for Greenlight UV Angel vehicle/ambulance sanitation UVC light.
Most Innovative Use of App Technology nominees winner is SpareLabs’ software the enables on-demand multi-modal microtransit data management and fleet sharing for paratransit.
SpareLabs enables transit companies to better serve able-bodied and people with disabilities more efficiently, says Walford.
Most Innovate Connected Car Technology winner was newcomer–Tactile Mobility’s software-based tactile sensing and data solution.
The winner for for most exciting new stock offering from an automaker is global automaker NIO. Followed closely by Canoo’s Multipurpose Delivery Vehicle .
There is still no word yet on when and if NIO will be selling its high-tech premium electric cars in the U.S.
“We are heart-warmed by the welcome. We are a global company and have always had plans to expand. We don’t have any solid plans to enter the United States at this time,” said, JoAnn Yamani, US Director of NIO Communications told AUTO Connected Car News’ editor Lynn Walford during an pre-interview for Auto Futures this week.
Zeros
“Adios Amigo Award” for model that will be the most missed when it is no longer made goes to Honda Fit followed closely by the BMW i8.
It is no surprise the non-coveted Edsel Yugo Award for the WORST most disastrous worst automotive action goes to The Trump Administration for rolling back emissions standards.
Hopefully we can all breathe easier—-soon.
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