The jury of the Automotive Innovation Award (AIA) received 43 entries: a record number. All of them are Dutch innovations that make mobility smarter, cleaner, more efficient, more accessible, more affordable and/or safer and are thus eligible for the prestigious innovation awards. This year’s biennial award is organized for the fifth time by the Automotive Innovation Award Foundation, a joint effort of ANWB, BOVAG, LeasePlan, RAI Association, RAI Automotive Industry NL and Roland Berger. The foundation aims to highlight the enormous innovation capacity of this sector in the Netherlands.
“We’re seeing enormous diversity in the entries,” said jury chairman Jan Peter Balkenende. “There are well-known, internationally operating companies among them, but also small start-ups and student teams. The entries range from technically very advanced innovations to super-smart, practical ideas. The large number of innovations that respond to network congestion and charging problems is striking. Furthermore, AI is now also playing an important role in the automotive sector. The entries show that the Netherlands is really competing with the world top when it comes to innovations in the automotive sector.” A list of the entries and brief descriptions can now be found on the AIA website.
Multiple awards
All entries compete in the categories of sustainability, safety and accessibility. There is an award to be won in each category. In addition, there is a fourth award, the grand prize for the most groundbreaking innovation, with high scores across all themes. Also new is the student award, designed to spotlight student teams with promising innovations.
Independent jury evaluates innovations
It is now time for the independent jury to judge all 43 entries on innovativeness, impact and implementation. For the awards, the jury will nominate up to five innovations per category to go on to the next round. The nominees will then be invited to present their innovation to the jury on December 7. Three of the five nominees will advance to the finals, which will be held on February 5, 2024. On that day, the jury will announce the winners of the Automotive Innovation Award 2024 during the exclusive Automotive Innovation Dinner.