PlanetM and AutoMobili-D Unveil Category Winners and Finalists for the Inaugural 2018 PlanetM Awards

DETROIT, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Category winners and finalists for the 2018 PlanetM Awards were unveiled today, showcasing innovations in mobility platforms and technologies to be recognized at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The PlanetM Awards are a partnership between PlanetM, a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) program, AutoMobili-D and NAIAS to honor enterprises developing mobility-focused platforms and technologies.

"For our inaugural year, we received an overwhelming number of entries for the PlanetM Awards at AutoMobili-D," said Trevor Pawl, group vice president of PlanetM at the MEDC. "This speaks to Michigan's leadership in the field of mobility innovation and the impact it is having across the globe. At AutoMobili-D all eyes will be on Detroit to see the latest mobility advancements, highlighting the companies, universities and research entities powering the solutions of tomorrow. We're excited to honor the best of this world-class group."

"What separates the PlanetM Awards from other awards is authenticity. This is not the typical pay-to-play award. We have the top judges in the world ranking the most innovative mobility products at the show," said Jake Sigal, Detroit serial entrepreneur and co-host of the PlanetM Awards. "Whether you're working in the garage or the boardroom, may the best product win."

PlanetM Awards 2018 Category Winners:

Autonomous Driving: CARMERA, CARMERA Autonomous Map 
CARMERA is a real-time, street-level intelligence platform for autonomous vehicles and the built environment. CARMERA Autonomous Map offers real-time 3D maps and navigation-critical data for autonomous vehicles to verify, localize and path-plan. CARMERA operates a visual road sensor network built on top of safety monitoring services for professional fleets, to gather updated 3D scene, change detection and street analytics data in areas where AVs are being deployed now. CARMERA's globally deployable, first and third party "scanning + crawling" system allows us to deliver granularity, accuracy and freshness at scale, based on environmental and customer need.

Connected Car: VOXX Automotive, EVO Rear Seat Entertainment 
EVO brings a smart home television experience into the car, requiring only power/ground connections. EVO includes media inputs such as USB and SD, HDMI for all digital devices, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks. EVO is complemented by a mobile app allowing users to send their video to the displays wirelessly from their mobile device. The EVO app also allows all passengers to watch the same video content on their phone/tablet that is being played on the rear seat displays. Built in Sling Player which allows Slingbox users to watch their live home TV in the car leveraging their vehicles 4G-LTE hotspot.

eMobility: URB-E, URB-E 
URB-E is the world's most compact foldable electric vehicle. But it's so much more. It's the end of paying for parking, parking tickets, sweaty commutes, sitting in traffic, and wasting money on your commute. The URB-E is created using the design principles of supercars. Engineered by, Sven Etzelsberger, former lead engineer at Porsche, Saleen Supercars, and the chief engineer on the Fisker Karma. Made with carbon fiber and aircraft-grade aluminum, it's the ultimate last-mile transportation solution. And it's made right here in America. For short commutes, the URB-E is the perfect choice for saving money and having fun.

Mobility Services: Parkofon, Parkofon 
Parkofon is a venture-backed smart mobility company utilizing the Internet of Things to emancipate people to move freely, even when they cannot. We develop and promote an all-in-one device for urban commuting, to make every day driving efficient and enjoyable and help people avoid the usual frustrations of big cities. Starting with parking, we provide a contactless payment method so that you can stop where you need in no time and get going as soon as you park your vehicle.       

Smart Cities: Immotor, Immotor GO II 
The Immotor GO II is a transformative electric scooter with a discreet, ultraportable design and unique three-wheel stability. At the heart of the GO II is the Super Battery, a revolutionary, customizable and removable power source equipped with a sophisticated, programmable operating system, guaranteeing high-performance, intelligence and safety. The GO II was created as a tool to help solve the first/last mile commuter problem and provide city dwellers an alternative, clean mode of transportation that makes utilizing existing infrastructures more efficient. The GO II and Super Battery are TSA compliant, enabling users to live life on the GO without limitations.

Each PlanetM Awards category winner will go into a final selection round for the PlanetM Best in Show award. Separately, PlanetM will also announce a Startup of the Year award from the exhibiting startups at the show. Both awards will be presented during AutoMobili-D at NAIAS which runs January 14-21, 2018 at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

Additionally, PlanetM and Techstars Mobility will be honoring the PlanetM Awards winners and all AutoMobili-D exhibitors at a reception on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 6-9 p.m. EST at PlanetM Hall E at the Cobo Center. Food and beverages will be sponsored by Dykema. To register to attend, visit the PlanetM and Techstars Eventbrite.

The learn more about the PlanetM Awards, visit the Planet M Awards page and watch the PlanetM Awards video.

About PlanetM
PlanetM represents Michigan's unique and vast ecosystem, connecting resources and opportunities for its consortium of members. Made up of private industry, government and institutions of higher learning, partners in PlanetM share the common goal of leading the development of smart solutions that will change the way people and goods are transported across all modes of transportation. To learn more about how Michigan is leading the transportation revolution or to become a member, visit PlanetM.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community and talent development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect at www.mitalent.org for more information on Michigan's online marketplace for connecting job seekers and employers. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)
Now in its 30th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, technologies, people and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place. Administered by executive director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the largest media events in North America, and the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. For more information, visit naias.com.

SOURCE North American International Auto Show

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