AAIA announces first-ever aftermarket telematics challenge

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announces the first-ever Aftermarket Telematics Challenge, which will recognize and honor the most innovative and commercially viable example of vehicle connectivity technology. Companies of all sizes are invited to submit their entries by Oct. 1. Like this article? Sign up for our enews blasts here.

Submissions will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges who will assess:

• The value and relevance of the solution to the aftermarket parts and service channel;
• The use made of industry standards and best practices in the solution; and
• The economic viability of the solution and potential for commercial success.

The winning company will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a matching $5,000 contribution will be made to the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship fund in the winning company’s name. The winner will be announced at AAPEX, where they will demonstrate their technology at the AAPEX Learning Series seminar, Yes: The Aftermarket Can Do Telematics, on Thursday, Nov. 1 at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.

Applicants must submit a demonstration of a working model of the technology (prototype or better); a presentation describing the technical solution, features and solutions to common integration challenges; and a white paper documenting the business model and financial plan to commercialize the solution.

“We want to smoke out some of the clever development work that is going on today in the areas of telematics and vehicle connectivity,” says Scott Luckett, AAIA chief information officer (CIO). “Solutions that make use of AAIA web services and other automotive standards will be scored higher. Technology that empowers consumers with an alternative to embedded OE telematics is what we’re going to identify. We want to celebrate the best and most innovative applications of technology to the connected vehicle challenge.

“At AAPEX in 2010 and 2011, AAIA produced the Shop of Tomorrow demonstration, which featured a model for remote vehicle diagnostics and connectivity between the service shop, the vehicle and the necessary parts and service information in the Cloud,” says Luckett. “In 2012, developers from IT and aftermarket companies, large and small, are invited to show off what they’ve been working on and clearly demonstrate that aftermarket telematics solutions are here, today.”

Applications and judging criteria are found on the AAIA website at www.aftermarket.org.

Applicants are not required to be AAIA members.

Submissions will remain confidential. Applicants agree that if chosen as the winner they will demonstrate and present their technology at the AAPEX seminar.