14 suppliers snag PACE Awards as new-era technology stands out

DETROIT -- Breaking new technologies for autonomous, connected and electrified vehicles dominated the 2018 Automotive News PACE Awards Monday night, with Bosch, Visteon and a dozen other suppliers recognized for moving the industry forward.

Awards went to France's Valeo for a high-resolution laser scanner that detects road obstacles for the Audi A8, and to Magna Electronics for an artificial intelligence-based angle detection technology that lets Ford F-150 drivers back up a trailer without jackknifing.

Suppliers including A123 Systems, BorgWarner, Continental, IEE and Toyoda Gosei picked up 15 PACE Awards here, including two claimed by branches of Valeo. Innovations in advanced safety, improved vehicle communications and lighter-weight parts and materials to support the drive to electrification snagged almost every 2018 award.

The PACE Awards, now in their 24th year, are given for technology advances that have reached the commercial market. Winners are determined by a panel of independent judges from around the auto industry.

In addition to this year's 15 PACE Awards, selected after a review of 33 finalists, two 2018 Innovation Partnership awards went to Audi AG and General Motors for technology advances achieved by working with suppliers.

Audi was awarded for its partnership with Continental on a safety domain control unit that combines passive and active safety management in a single controller.

GM was awarded for its partnership with TK Holdings Inc. to develop a driver state system for the Cadillac CT6 that determines whether a driver is drowsy or distracted.

The 2018 Automotive News PACE Award winners:

A123 Systems: 48-volt ultra-phosphate battery

Aptiv: Aluminum intermediate cable, selective metal coating

BorgWarner: Wire forming for high-voltage motors

Bosch: Integrated connectivity cluster

Continental: Digital micro-mirror head-up display

Cooper Standard: Fortrex™ lightweight elastomeric material

IEE: Steering wheel hands-on/off detection

Magna Electronics: Trailer angle detection

SKF Automotive Division: Scotseal HD truck wheel end seal

Strattec Power Access: Invis-A-Rise power liftgate system

Techno Polymer America: Hushlloy squeak-eliminating plastic for vehicle interiors

Toyoda Gosei: Integrated driver airbag damper

Valeo: Driving assistance SCALA laser scanner

Valeo Thermal Systems: R-744 AC system

Visteon: SmartCore cockpit domain controller

2018 Innovation Partnership Winners

Audi AG, for the partnership on the safety domain control unit with Continental

General Motors, for the partnership with TK Holdings Inc. on the driver state system