Innovation & Technology Award
Celebrating groundbreaking advances in electrification, autonomous mobility, cybersecurity, and digital vehicle ecosystems.
The Innovation & Technology Award recognizes outstanding achievements that reshape the future of mobility. From advanced EV platforms to autonomous driving systems, connected car ecosystems, and secure software development practices, this award is dedicated to honoring pioneers whose work expands the boundaries of automotive innovation.
Candidates may include OEMs, technology suppliers, mobility start-ups, or collaborative projects that have delivered measurable progress in vehicle technology and its safe integration into society.
Why It Matters?
Innovation is the engine of automotive progress. With the rapid adoption of electrification, the growing role of artificial intelligence, and the importance of digital trust, recognizing leaders in this space ensures that the industry continues to evolve responsibly.
This award underscores the value of research and investment in cutting-edge technologies that enhance safety, sustainability, and user experience. It also highlights the crucial role of partnerships between industry, academia, and regulators in shaping the mobility of tomorrow.
Selection Criteria
- IT-01 Originality and technical advance | 30%: A material and defensible engineering advance beyond known practice.
- IT-02 Demonstrated benefit | 25%: Verified improvement for users, safety, performance, environment or industrial capability.
- IT-03 Engineering readiness and scale | 20%: Function, validation, manufacturability, maintainability and credible scale-up.
- IT-04 Responsible technology and resilience | 15%: Safety, cybersecurity, privacy, failure management and responsible operation.
- IT-05 Lifecycle value and knowledge transfer | 10%: Durable value, lifecycle consideration and transferable learning.
Examples of Eligible Innovations
EV Technology
Next-generation battery packs, solid-state cells, ultra-fast charging infrastructure.
Autonomous Mobility
Autonomous shuttles, AI-based driving algorithms, sensor fusion platforms.
Cybersecurity & Software
Over-the-air update platforms, secure vehicle operating systems, V2X safety protocols.
Eligibility & Result Period
Eligible scope: Vehicles and powertrains; batteries, charging and energy; electronics, chips, sensors, software and AI; manufacturing, testing, repair and recycling technology.
Admission requirement: A functioning prototype, completed controlled pilot or deployed solution must exist by the evidence cutoff. Concepts, patents without demonstrated function and promotional simulations alone are not eligible.
Result period: The material achievement or improvement must fall within the 24 months before the entry deadline; earlier history must be disclosed.
Timeline
Opening, closing, evidence cutoff, review, appeal and announcement dates are stated only in the approved Season Notice.
Jury & Process
Three jurors complete preliminary scoring and five complete fresh final scoring. Category tie priorities are IT-02, then IT-04. No chair vote is used; an unresolved tie may result in no single winner.
Prepare a Complete Entry
Review the category pages and evidence requirements before a future season is authorised.