11 promising technologies that made the inaugural class

A tiny sphere that gives automated vehicles a wider view of the world. A display that offers a 3D view without the need for glasses. A plasma that can extend the era of the internal combustion engine.

Sometimes the automotive technologies with the most potential to change the game are the ones few people have heard of.

For 26 years, Automotive News has honored the industry's best commercialized innovations with its PACE Awards. This year, a new program, Automotive News PACEpilot, recognizes 11 innovations that have reached a working pilot demonstration phase but are not yet commercialized. These come from traditional and nontraditional automotive suppliers that are relentlessly navigating the future of mobility.

From technologies addressing new mobility and autonomous vehicles to those improving well established vehicle components such as airbags, the 11 PACEpilot innovations show that transformation within the automotive industry is moving swiftly and strategically.

Here we offer a look at this year's honorees.

Automotive News will recognize the PACEpilot honorees in a virtual event. Watch autonews.com/shift for details.