The independent panel has now selected the best products and assigned them to three award classes: ‘Nominee’ for innovative products and solutions, ‘Finalist’ for outstanding technological innovations, and ‘Winner’ for the top product in each category.
The panel ended up selecting 96 'Nominees’ and 35 ‘Finalists’. The companies chosen as the winners of the coveted Innovation Awards will not be announced until the awards ceremony at Automechanika, which is taking place on 13 September at 5:00 p.m. in “Harmonie” hall in the Congress Center.
“The sheer scope of this year’s submissions is impressive, ranging from rescue systems for vehicles with battery fires and radar-supported turning assistance systems for trucks all the way to highly complex laser scanners able to measure entire vehicles in a matter of minutes. The digitalisation trend has also continued to accelerate, with approx. one third of submissions coming from this area. Forward-looking topics like new mobility, alternative drive systems and sustainability were also prominent in the submissions received,” according to Dr. Gerhard Angerer, an expert assessor who helped evaluate the submissions.
Companies from the automotive aftermarket were able to submit their innovations in the following categories: Electromobility, Data & Connectivity, Workshop & Service Solutions, Parts & Technology Solutions, Body & Paint, Car Wash & Care, Accessories & Customizing, and Commercial Vehicles. We can also look forward to hearing the winner of the Green Award. Dr. Angerer has recommended five of the finalists as candidates for this sustainability award, which will also be presented during the awards ceremony at Automechanika Frankfurt.
This year marked the first time that the panel of representatives from associations, industry, retailers, academia and the media has been expanded to include international aftermarket experts. The products submitted were evaluated based on the following criteria: degree of innovation and excellence of the solution, cost effectiveness, user benefit, functionality and user-friendliness, market potential and relevance to the aftermarket, quality, durability and safety, as well as their contributions to sustainability, energy efficiency, climate protection, environmental protection and resource conservation.
The jury is comprised of the following industry experts:
- Hartmut Abeln, Managing Director, TÜV Nord
- Okan Altan, Motoring Journalist, Automotive Informatics
- Ben Brucato, Vice President of Engagement, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA)
- Stuart Charity, CEO, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)
- Dr. Axel Glanz, Managing Director, Innovationen Institut
- Edwin Grabowski, Publisher, Car Wash Info
- Detlef Peter Grün, Vice President, Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe (ZDK)
- Wolfgang Michel, Editor-in-Chief, kfz-betrieb
- Jason Moseley, CEO, International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS)
- Jakkie Olivier, CEO, Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Reindl, Institute Director, Institut für Automobilwirtschaft (IfA)
- Burkhard Riering, Editor-in-Chief, Automobilwoche
- Frank Schlehuber, Senior Consultant Market Affairs, European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Schumacher, Chair of the Institute for the Optimization of Mechanical Structures, Bergische Universität Wuppertal
The finalists
Category: Electromobility
SAS VIGNAL GROUP
SESA Tunes Advanced AVAS and Multi-Function Audible Solution
Audible warning system for electric cars
Autel Europe
MAXICHARGER DC FAST
The Maxicharger DC FAST from Autel is a direct current (DC) fast charging station for battery electric vehicles. It has a maximum output power of 240 kW.
AVL DiTEST
AVL DiTEST HV SAT
AVL DiTEST HV SAT is a universal solution for battery testing after repair in the workshop. The HV SAT's areas of application range from end-of-service testing as proof of correct reconditioning to the status of stored batteries and safety tests during transport or disposal.
CTEK
Njord Go EVSE
The all-in-one NJORD GO EVSE charger is cost-effective, lightweight and suitable for charging e-vehicles at home or on holiday.
e-vehicles at home, at work or on holiday. It has a Type 2 plug with a charging capacity of 11 kW and is fully compatible with 3 phase CEE sockets.
Category: Data & Connectivity
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
ContiConnect 2.0
Modern digital tyre management system for fleet operators that makes it easier to monitor the condition of the tyres on their vehicles: Pressure and temperature are recorded by sensors inside the tyres and transferred in real time to a Continental cloud, where they are continuously analysed.
WESP
Parts Performance Dashboard
Big Data market analysis. Unlike the traditional methods of market research like CATI interviews, it’s all about proprietary algorithms and filtering out desired information. The result could be, for example, detailed data on replacement rates of a single reference compared with competitors.
Herth + Buss Fahrzeugteile
Herth + Buss Product Detector
The Herth+Buss Product Detector app makes it quick and easy to identify the spare part you are looking for. Instead of a time-consuming search in print or online catalogues, the desired article can simply be scanned and found via the app. Thanks to image recognition, workshops can save time and money and also have the option of ordering directly in the app.
Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH
Fast Track AI
FastTrackAI® is a new software solution for analysing damage to vehicles with the help of digital images. Obvious damage to vehicle parts is linked to exact vehicle data and thus the repair costs are calculated.
AVL-DiTEST
VClone
The AVL DiTEST app provides a simple and convenient solution for configuring VCIs (Vehicle Communication Interfaces) in the workshop and performing maintenance. With the platform-independent mobile app, innovations from SmartHome and IoT find their way into the modern workshop.
Category: Workshop & Service Solutions
MAHLE Aftermarket GmbH
Battery Diagnostics Feature for Diagnostic Tool TechPRO® from MAHLE
The E-Scan diagnostics software is able to read out the most important parameters of the high-voltage vehicle battery from electronic control units in the vehicle network via the OBD diagnostics socket and to determine its service-life-relevant condition. The capacity, voltage, internal resistance and temperature are determined at the individual cell and block level.
Beissbarth GmbH
Q.DAS: Modular Digital Driver Assistance Systems (FAS) Calibration
This innovative calibration system makes it possible to adjust the sensors in driver assistance systems (FAS) in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Q.mAPP is Android-based software for a tablet that guides the workshop in the calibration process, supplying the correct positions of the panels and the radar reflectors.
GelKoh GmbH
LiBa®Rescue
This innovative recovery system for electric vehicles is heat-resistant up to 1,500 °C and works in much the same way as a fire blanket. In a fire incident or as a preventive measure, the damaged vehicle is pushed on top of the recovery system, after which the recovery system is wrapped around the vehicle. Although the recovery system is not able to prevent chemical reactions in the battery itself, it makes it difficult for a hot battery to set other flammable substances in the vehicle alight by limiting the supply of oxygen, allowing it to prevent the total write-off of a vehicle.
Oxyhydrogen Technologies S.L.
OXYHTECH DPF PLUS
An innovative machine for cleaning the particle filters of diesel- and petrol-driven engines after they have been removed from the vehicle. The machine is controlled via a digital device connected via WiFi. The app supplied with the device leads the workshop technician through the cleaning procedure.
TEXA
TEXA ET CHECK
A compact, portable workshop device to test the seal of a battery housing that is equipped with a compressor and a vacuum pump. As a result, it is not reliant on a workshop’s compressed air system.
MAROLOTEST
MAROLO E-lift and E-Motofixe
The E-LIFT lifting platform was developed especially for electric motorcycles. With a load-bearing capacity of 400 kg and a maximum lifting height of 1.2 m, this safe lifting platform is ideal for working on all motorcycles safely.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
WABCO Modular ABS-Sensors
With the new WABCO modular ABS sensors from ZF, a growing number of vehicles can be serviced without having to store countless individual parts. The innovative modular design makes it possible to create hundreds of variants of replacement ABS sensors from just a few products.
AVL DiTEST
AVL DiTEST noLEAK
The easy-to-use, portable leak tester for workshops can test the leak tightness of an HV battery housing, a battery cooling circuit as well as the leak tightness of many other components and thus contribute to the safety of electric vehicles.
Robert Bosch GmbH
Bosch ADAS ONE Solution Software
The new software solution for the calibration of driver assistance systems simplifies and accelerates the exact positioning of the calibration device according to manufacturer specifications with the help of visualisations on the workshop PC.
Category: Parts & Technology Solutions
ams OSRAM GmbH
NIGHT BREAKER LED H4
A replacement bulb for halogen headlights utilising LED technology that makes it possible to retrofit used cars with contemporary LED lighting technology. The bulb is significantly brighter than the legal minimum, offers a long-range beam, and supplies a bright white light similar to daylight. The bulb should also have a service life that is up to five times that of halogen bulbs, even though it uses less than half as much electricity as do standard halogen bulbs.
EnerSys (EH Europe GmbH)
ODYSSEY® Connect™
The world’s first AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) TPPL (Thin Plate Pure Lead) 12 V starter battery in compliance with the DIN C-1500 standard with an integrated sensor digitally networked via Bluetooth. The integrated sensor monitors the battery’s voltage, state of charge and internal temperature in real time, revolutionising battery management. With its cold-start performance of 1,250 A, this patented high-end battery system has been designed with commercial trucks in mind.
Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
Braking Torque Reduction System
The braking torque reduction system helps to reduce CO2 emissions, lowers fuel consumption, and lessens the level of fine particulates by lowering brake pad wear. It will be possible to retrofit all standard Knorr-Bremse brake systems on the market with this system in future.
Schaeffler
Schaeffler E-Axle RepSystem – G
The Schaeffler E-Axle RepSystem – G allows workshops to perform professional repairs on technically complex electric vehicles. All the necessary components can be replaced in a single repair process.
Brembo
Greenance Concept
Product launch will be during Brembo’s press conference in hall 3.0 at booth A 61.
Category: Body & Paint
Celette France SAS
Eagle – Electronic Car Body Measurement System
Laser-assisted electronic measurement system to ascertain the distortion of chassis, for example following collisions. The results are then compared with the CAD coordinates supplied by the vehicle’s manufacturer, and the system is able to reliably detect deviations of ± 1.5 mm. An entire vehicle can be measured in no more than ten minutes.
Multichem Sp. z.o.o.
Profix Refinish Systems – All Colours of Innovation
A system for determining and mixing the correct paint colour that consists of three components: a hand-held spectrophotometer that is placed on the surface of the vehicle’s paintwork in order to determine the paint colour; a cloud-based expert database that calculates the paint formula based on the spectrophotometric data; and the high-precision dosing machine MCMIX, which is able to blend and mix the paint within just two minutes.
KMWE Michael Köberlein
Clair5000MULTI
A mobile extraction and air cleaning system for smaller paintwork jobs (spot repairs) in workshops without their own painting booth. The extraction system is moved right next to the vehicle to be repaired so that it can extract the paint mist that is created by spraying.
Carbon GmbH
CBR Carbon Body Repair System
The Body Repair System from Carbon is an innovative straightening system for bodywork outer skin repair. The tensile components made of lightweight carbon and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics enable a more efficient and sustainable repair.
Herrmann Innovations
IONSTAR
The first ionising gun with fibre optic technology runs without batteries or power cables thanks to its air turbine drive. It is robust, ergonomic and weighs only 240 g.
Category: Car Wash & Care
Lederzentrum GmbH
ColourScannerPRO – Scanner incl. Formula Database
The ColourScannerPRO is a novel new type of mobile digital tool that is able to quickly and affordably determine the colour of leather for leather repairs. The colour scanner is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth using the COLOURLOCK app.
Lake Country Manufacturing
UDOS® 51E
A patented professional orbital stroke polisher that allows you to switch between five polishing orbits: Rotary, Sanding, 12-mm Dual Action Orbital, 15-mm Dual Action Orbital, and 21-mm Dual Action Orbital.
Category: Accessories & Customizing
CTEK Sweden AB
CTEK CS ONE fully automatic battery charger and maintainer with APTO™ technology
Automatic battery charging device for 12 V lead and lithium batteries that utilises patented APTO™ adaptive charging technology. Not only is this smart charger able to automatically recognise the polarity (plus or minus) of the clamps connected to the device, but also the battery’s chemical system (lead or lithium).
Dropracks AS
Dropracks – Elevating Roof Racks
Innovative roof rack system for cars in which the loading surface (i.e. the rack) is not permanently attached to the base rack on the vehicle's roof. Instead, a clever kinematic mechanism makes it possible to pull out the rack and lower it to chest level. The result: bulky items like bicycles, kayaks and ladders can be loaded and secured easily.
Category: Commercial Vehicles
Hunter Engineering Company
Quick Check® Commercial Autonomous Vehicle Inspection
Hunter’s Quick Check System is a fully automatic alignment and tyre tread inspection system for commercial vehicles. As the vehicle is driven through the system, the system is able to conduct a contactless measurement of the alignment and tyre condition digitally, without the driver having to halt or exit the vehicle.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
ZF Aftermarket Turning Assistance System CV Retrofit Solution
A novel new turning and lane change assistant that rises above other systems thanks to the fact that its sensor system combines radar with optical sensors. This improves the reliability of the system’s ability to identify objects in the rear-view mirror’s blind spot. In poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain, fog or snow when the camera is unable to supply reliable information, the radar is supplemented by a second sensor system.
SAF-Holland Group
SAF TRAKr electric axle for regenerative braking
An innovative idea for transforming the kinetic braking and deceleration energy in conventional semi-trailers – energy that would otherwise be lost in the form of heat – into an exploitable resource.
A list of all companies awarded as nominees and finalists can be found in the Automechanika exhibitor search.
Here you will find the product images of the finalists.
Press information and photographic material:
Automechanika @Social Media #AMF22
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is one of the world’s leading trade fair, congress and event organisers with their own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of 2,200 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. As in the previous year, annual sales for 2021 were significantly lower owing to the COVID-19 pandemic: approximately €154 million compared with Group sales as high as €736 million in pre-pandemic 2019. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. Sustainable business practices are a central pillar in our corporate strategy and strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity. Another of Messe Frankfurt’s strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com