Editor's note: A previous version of this story included an incorrect name for Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, and incorrect locations for CarSaver, Sonatus and Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials.
Technical innovations from 27 suppliers around the world have been named finalists for the 2021 Automotive News PACE Awards.
The 31 individual technologies range from sensors that can distinguish between vehicle passengers to an advancement in how an auto retailer transacts a remote sale.
At the same time, 23 finalists from 20 companies have been named finalists for the Automotive News PACEpilot Awards.
The PACEpilot Awards, now in their second year, recognize pre-commercial, post-pilot innovations in the automotive or future mobility space, including products, processes, software and IT systems.
The PACE Awards, now in their 27th year, are given to suppliers in recognition of a technological innovation in product or processes that has reached commercial application.
Judges will review the innovations, and the awards are to be presented Sept. 30 at a ceremony in Detroit.
This year's spectrum of PACE Awards finalists represents established global automotive leaders with long track records in R&D, including Bosch, Continental, Superior Industries and Yazaki Corp., as well as lesser-known, younger companies working on breakthroughs in emerging fields, such as RoboSense, Tekion and Work Truck Solutions.
The finalists reflect an industry of diverse R&D efforts, including a new brake system sensor from Hella Corp. in Northville, Mich.; an advancement in solid-state lidar from RoboSense of Shenzhen, China; and a child-presence detection system from IEE in Bissen, Luxembourg.
"This year's class of PACE finalists showcases the rich innovation underway worldwide in the business of moving people and things," said Steve Schmith, director of Automotive News PACE Awards judging. "The finalists represent companies operating throughout the automotive value chain who are not only driving game-changing approaches to product development, but also reimagining the customer experience and creating new ways of generating revenue."
