Tech.AD USA Award

Take your chance and apply for the annual Tech.AD USA Award now!

The Tech.AD USA Award recognizes outstanding projects in the automotive industry, celebrating exceptional solutions and innovations. An expert jury will review all applications and nominate the top projects. The award ceremony, held on the first day of Tech.AD USA on December 8th, 2025, will bring well-deserved recognition to the nominees in front of North America’s largest community of autonomous driving decision-makers.

PROCESS & INFORMATION

Application

?? ??, 2025 – October 28, 2025
Submit your project by completing the online application form.
Important Notes:
- Applications submitted after October 28, 2025, will not be considered.
- All details must be submitted in English.
- The submitted project must relate to an AD project at your company.
- Only projects that have been implemented or are already in the implementation phase will be considered.
- The project implementation must not date back longer than two years.
- Projects that have previously won the Tech.AD Europe Award are not eligible to apply again.
- Only applications completed with all required details will be reviewed by the jury, which will nominate projects for each category.
- The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be contested. The jury will adhere to the award guidelines.
- Please be aware that a flat fee is applicable. Exclusively only for the nominated winners, the fee includes the ceremony, trophy, additional marketing promotion.

By submitting your application, you agree to the terms and conditions of we.CONECT.

Review & Evaluation

Period: October 28 – November 2, 2025

The expert jury will review all applications based on the following criteria:
– Innovation: How innovative or unique is the approach?
– Simplicity: How easy is the project to implement and maintain?
– Achievement: What has been improved through the implementation?
– Maturity: Is the approach ready for use?
– Cost Effectiveness: What is the balance of development costs and savings?

Winner Election

Date: November 5, 2025

All winners will be required to prepare a 3-minute video showcasing their project.

Submission Deadline for Videos: November 28, 2025.

Guidelines:
– Style, format, and content can align with individual/corporate design.
– Videos will be shown live on stage during the award ceremony.
– Failure to submit a video or presentation may result in disqualification.

Award Ceremony

Date: December 9, 2025

The award ceremony will celebrate the winners and their achievements with the following highlights:
– Video Presentations: All winners’ 3-minute videos will be showcased live on stage.
– Winner Photos: Professional photos of the winners will be taken during the ceremony.
– Award Trophy: Each winner will receive a prestigious trophy to honor their success.
– Handshake Moment: Winners will have an official handshake moment on stage, symbolizing their recognition.
– Networking Opportunities: Celebrate and connect with peers, industry leaders, and the jury during and after the ceremony.

Attendance at the ceremony or representation by a delegate is mandatory.

Publication

Information provided by applicants may be used for evaluation and promotion purposes by we.CONECT Global Leaders GmbH. By submitting your application, you agree to the potential publication of your project under your name and company name.

Publication Channels:
– LinkedIn
– Social Media (other platforms)
– Relevant media partners
– The we.CONECT website
– Websites of the award winners

THE WINNERS IN 2024

The winners of the 11th-anniversary edition of the Tech.AD USA Award in 2024 are
Pontosense, Micron and GMV.
Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

CATEGORY 1: Sensor & Perception

WINNER! Ponto Senses Wireless Sensing:
Pontosense is a wireless sensing device to measure vital signs in cars and homes

About PONTOSENSE

YouTube

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Name of the Project

Ponto Senses Wireless Sensing

Main challenges

Accurate Presence Detection: Detecting passenger presence and accurately identifying positions, even in foot wells and multiple rows of seating.
Line of Sight and Vibration Interference: Overcoming interference from line of sight and vibrations using a single sensor.
Health Monitoring Integration: Seamlessly integrating vital sign monitoring (heart rate, respiration) into the system for both safety and comfort.
Autonomous Vehicle Integration: Enabling wireless sensing to support autonomous driving and emergency maneuvers.
Intruder Detection: Ensuring the system can detect security threats like window break-ins or theft attempts.
Compact and Cost-Effective Sensor Design: Creating a solution that combines presence detection, health monitoring, and security in one sensor, replacing multiple traditional sensors.

Sum Up

Why your project should be awarded in one sentence?
PontoSense’s wireless sensing technology transforms vehicle safety by accurately detecting passengers, monitoring vital signs, and enhancing security with a single sensor, offering a groundbreaking, life-saving solution.

CATEGORY 2: Software & Computer Platform

WINNER! Micron 4150AT SSD:
Built with 176L TLC NAND for enterprise-grade performance with longevity, reliability, quality, ruggedness and application-specific features. Automotive qualified, ASIL-B & ASPICE level 3.

About MICRON

YouTube

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Name of the Project

Micron 4150AT SSD

Main challenges

System Redundancy: Reducing excessive complexity caused by multiple storage components and PCIe switches.
Cost Efficiency: Addressing high engineering costs and slow performance in centralized architecture designs.
Cumbersome Design: Eliminating the need for expensive PCIe switches and enabling concurrent interaction with multiple SoCs.
Performance and Endurance: Achieving high performance and endurance with advanced NAND technology.
Industry Certification: Meeting rigorous automotive standards like ASIL-B and ASPICE Level 3.

Sum Up

Why your project should be awarded in one sentence?
The Micron 4150AT SSD transforms automotive architectures by eliminating redundancy, reducing system costs, and accelerating time to market with high-performance, flexible, and secure centralized storage.

CATEGORY 3: Mapping & Localization

WINNER! GMV GSharp:
It combines information from multiple sensors to ensure exceptionally accurate vehicle location and minimise risk through the concept of integrity.

About GMV

YouTube

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Name of the Project

GMV GSharp

Main challenges

Positioning Integrity: Ensuring highly accurate GNSS data is trustworthy and safe, detecting and excluding hazards in real time.
Real-Time Safety: Providing real-time trusted vehicle positioning with safety assurances under various conditions.
Sensor Integration: Seamlessly integrating GNSS with other sensors like cameras and LiDAR to enhance accuracy.
Cost-Effective Solution: Delivering high-performance, reliable safety at a fraction of the cost of other ADAS sensors.

Sum Up

GMV GSharp for Automotive enhances autonomous driving safety and accuracy by delivering trusted, real-time vehicle positioning with seamless sensor integration, all at a lower cost than traditional ADAS solutions.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED?

Innovation

Definition: This criterion evaluates how groundbreaking or unique the approach of the project is.

Focus Areas:
– Does the project introduce novel technologies, concepts, or methods?
– How does it differentiate itself from existing solutions in the market or industry?
– Does it push the boundaries of conventional practices or challenge established norms?

Value: Projects with a high level of innovation often set benchmarks for the industry and inspire further advancements.

Simplicity

Definition: Simplicity examines how easy the project is to implement, operate, and maintain.

Focus Areas:
– Is the solution user-friendly and straightforward to adopt within organizations?
– Does it minimize complexity for stakeholders or end-users?
– How effectively does it reduce potential barriers, such as extensive training, technical expertise, or resource dependencies?

Value: A simple, practical approach often ensures wider acceptance and long-term sustainability.

Achievement

Definition: This criterion measures the tangible outcomes and improvements achieved through the project’s implementation.

Focus Areas:
– What measurable results have been delivered (e.g., efficiency gains, productivity improvements, enhanced customer satisfaction)?
– Has the project addressed specific pain points or challenges effectively?
– How has the solution positively impacted the organization, industry, or community?

Value: Projects that demonstrate clear and significant achievements stand out as effective and impactful innovations.

Maturity

Definition: Maturity assesses whether the project is ready for practical use or deployment.

Focus Areas:
– Is the project fully developed, tested, and validated?
– Are there any dependencies, risks, or ongoing refinements that need resolution?
– Has the solution been successfully integrated into real-world applications or environments?

Value: A mature project reflects stability and readiness to deliver immediate value to users or stakeholders.

Cost Effectiveness

Definition: This criterion evaluates the financial efficiency of the project by balancing development costs with the value or savings it delivers.

Focus Areas:
– What were the overall development and implementation costs?
– How does the project contribute to cost savings, operational efficiency, or revenue growth?
– Does the return on investment (ROI) justify the resources allocated?

Value: Cost-effective solutions ensure scalability and accessibility while maximizing business

Need further assistance - contact us now!