AUTO Connected Car News named the winners the Tech CARS (Technology of Connected Autos Rated Superior) Awards for connected car services, apps, devices, people, software and events.
"The winners this year show how much the connected car space has grown. In some categories there was only a few votes between the winner and the runner-up," said AUTO Connected Car News' Editor Lynn Walford who says votes from connected car industry insiders over doubled this year.
Most Important
Tesla Motor's offering of AutoPilot through a software update received 54% of the vote, winning Overall Best Implementation of New Car Tech to Make Lives Better or Easier
Best Self-Driving Autonomous
Although Google gets a lot of media attention for its autonomous cars, Delphi’s self-driving Roadrunner made the world's first cross-country trip across the United States and won the Tech CARS Award for Best Self-Driving Autonomous Car of 2015.
Best ADAS
The most advanced safety features are usually only found in very expensive luxury cars or high-end SUVs. However, the winner of AUTO Connected Car News' Tech CARS Award for Best Deployment of ADAS Features goes to the 2017 Buick LaCrosse with an impressive list of "Guardian Angel" safety features.
Worst SNAFU Ever
It was no surprise that for Edsel Yugo Award for the Biggest Snafu in Car Technology, the highest percentage of votes out of any category went to Volkswagen/Audi Diesel Test Spoofing Scandal with 60% of the vote which is considerably more than Takata Air Bags with 22% of the vote.
Best OBD Device
This year, Zubie added Verizon Wi-Fi hotspots as a shared device on Verizon Wireless plans helping it to garner votes to win Best OBD-II Device with Software and Services.
Most Anticipated Device/Service
Sober Steering, stops drunks from driving by detecting alcohol blood levels through a sensor pad on the steering wheel and received the award for Most Anticipated New Aftermarket Product Expected in 2016.
Best Trade Show Expo or Symposium
The Tech CARS Award for Best Car Tech Connected Car Trade Show, Exhibition or Symposium goes to CES which has a huge automotive technology presence.
Connected Car Software/Security Winners
QNX won for Best Backhaul Software or Development Platform for Automakers. Ford SYNC 3 won Overall Best Car Infotainment Software by Automaker. HARMAN won two awards--- its 5 + 1 Security Framework won Best Security Device or Software for Automotive Cybersecurity and its JBL Trip won for Best Aftermarket Bluetooth, Aux or Speakerphone Device.
Other Award Categories
PR: The award for Best Connected Car PR Representative or Public Relations Firm for Project, Device or Service goes to Kahn Media for the launch of the Cars Mechanical Institute at the Petersen Museum.
Best Map Nav/App – Waze, won the Tech CARS Award for Best Navigation Map or App by three votes over Google Maps.
Best Smartphone Tech – Apple’s CarPlay, won for Overall Best Implementation of Connected Car Tech With Smartphones.
Best Car Support App – Urgent.ly roadside assistance with the ability to see the location of the tow truck won Best Car Support App.
Best Connected Car Personality – Andy Gryc director of the Connected Car Expo won for Best Connected Car Analyst, Advocate or Personality.
AUTO Connected Car New’s Tech CARS awards were awarded for companies, products or people who received the most votes through an online survey from December 15- January 15, 2016.