Telematics Innovators Honored at 2014 Telematics Update Awards - Top Industry Analysts Select the Most Exciting Products and Services of the Past Year
Novi, MI (PRWEB) June 04, 2014 -- The 2014 Telematics Update Awards were presented at a dinner at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich., kicking off the Telematics Detroit Conference. The winners are:
- Global OEM Infotainment Solution Award: Volvo
Coming on top of impressive global sales numbers and outstanding technology innovations, the judges also scored Volvo highly because of its alliance with AT&T. They commented, "Their crashless pledge has positioned them as a true leader among automakers."
- Best Telematics Service Provider Award: Ericsson
Judges noted Ericsson's strong industry presence that nevertheless focuses on new development and innovative use cases. Among the interesting ideas that put Ericsson over the top was its payment platform.
Magnus Lundgren, Strategic Sales Director and head of connected cloud for Ericsson, said, "The connected car is really about services outside the car -- in the cloud. We took our battle-proven, telecomm backend server product and built connected car services on top of it, leveraging our experience in other areas. The next step is the car being connected to the greater networked society."
- Best Telematics Content Aggregator Award: INRIX
In this busy and competitive category, the judges found INRIX to be the most effective in sustainably expanding its coverage, with its move into BRIC being especially noteworthy. Another winning factor was INRIX's progress with multiple OEMs on multiple platforms around the world.
- Best Aftermarket Device or Solutions Award: Delphi
Delphi's aftermarket Telematics device, Delphi Connect, delivered in partnership with Verizon, stood out for its connectivity and distribution partnership with Verizon. The judges said, "It was a solid offering and a fantastic launch. This was a very smart way to launch."
- Best Telematics Safety and Security Technology Award: Elektrobit & OnStar
Two companies shared this award. Elektrobit was honoured for enabling many critical systems within vehicles while moving beyond ADAS. OnStar won recognition for offering the widest set of safety and security services while continuing to innovate. At the same time, it's planning expansion to Mexico, China and Europe in 2016.
- Best Telematics Service or Solutions for Commercial Vehicles Award: Daimler & Telogis
In another shared award, Daimler Trucks NA got high marks for delivering a complete telematics system including a full set of features and services. Telogis won in part by being ranked first in a fleet manager survey, as well as for its acquisitions and cloud-based commercial navigation.
- Best Navigation Solution or Product Award: Audi of America & Total Traffic & Weather Network
The judges thought that Audi's sophisticated HMI, first showcased at CES, was more intuitive for end users. Total Traffic & Weather Network received kudos from the judges for bringing together not only weather and traffic but many other attractive and useful services.
- Best Automotive Application Award: xtime
The judges admired xtime's very clear philosophy, saying that it had the potential to become a key enabler for the industry.
- 2013/14 Industry Newcomer Award: NissanConnect
In a close call, this was awarded via live vote by the awards dinner audience.
- Best Telematics Product or Service Launch in an Emerging Market (BRIC Region): Qoros Automotive
This adventurous company seemed to go from zero to 70, starting from scratch to offer telematics in the complicated Chinese market. The judges were impressed with the way that Qoros solved the thorny sales problem. They said, "They are adventurous in their approach, with an impressive value proposition."
- Best Insurance Telematics Product or Service Launch: OCTO
While Octo is very well-established in the insurance telematics sector, the judges found it is still pushing the boundaries, notably with new concepts in driver profiles and new form factors.
- Telematics Leadership Award: Mary Chan, President, Global Connected Consumer, General Motors
The judges awarded the prize for GM's balance of excellent products and excellent services, brought to market with vision, ambition and drive. Chan responded, "Leadership, in our position, is creating a platform for other partners and the ecosystem of developers to innovate on our platform. Enabling the innovations within the entire automotive industry is what we're about."
The challenge of picking just one winner in each category among the many worthy entries fell to a distinguished panel of judges:
• Thilo Koslowski, Vice President & Distinguished Analyst, Automotive, Vehicle ICT, Mobility Industry Advisory Services, Gartner
• Dominique Bonte, Vice President, Practice Director, ABI Research
• Roger Lanctot, Automotive Consultant, Strategy Analytics
• Andrew Hart, Head of Advanced Research, SBD
• Dave McNamara, President, McNamara Technology Solutions (Retd. Ford)
• Precksha Saksena-Sood, Managing Director, Telematics Update
Saksena-Sood commented, "We are finally in the post connectivity era within the automotive industry, but the journey is far from over. We are on the cusp of witnessing a great deal more when it comes to truly contextualised services. Value-centric partnerships and innovative approaches will come to define this space. A special mention to our stellar finalists for this year because a trophy is only the tip of the iceberg and it takes much more to define a true winner! Last but not the least, my congratulations to the winners of the 2014 TU awards."
Charlotte Wright, Telematics Update, http://www.telematicsupdate.com/detroit/awards-index.php, +44 207 375 7517 Ext: 7517, [email protected]
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