DETROIT, February 12, 2020 – The Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC) has selected 23 innovative start-ups to move on to the Semifinals of its 12th annual competition, sponsored by SAE International and MI Innovation Alliance. The 2020 GAMIC Semifinalists, hailing from seven (7) states and seven countries, have a broad array of promising new technologies to advance the vehicles and transportation systems of the future.
To make it to the Semifinals, the contestants competed in front of senior mobility judges from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, as well as from the startup investment community, during late 2019-20 Quarterfinal rounds held at Brose, N.A. in Auburn Hills, MI; at Ann Arbor SPARK in Ann Arbor, MI; by SAE International in San Jose, CA; a Mediterranean virtual (video conferencing) Quarterfinals competition as well as two additional virtual competitions inviting companies from several other countries. Judging criteria used to select the teams moving on to the Semifinals included their business plans, their uniqueness, and the potential impact of their technologies to the mobility industry.
The 2020 GAMIC Semifinals will take place on Feb 27 at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield, MI. The companies will compete using judging feedback from the Quarterfinals, and expert counseling from more than 40 GAMIC mentors to improve their pitches. The top 12 teams will then advance to the GAMIC Finals at SAE’s WCX World Congress at Detroit’s TCF Center on 21 April 2020.
The twenty-three companies moving forward as Semifinalists include:
- AC Biode Ltd.: First-ever stand-alone Alternating Current batteries (patents-pending) versus current-technology DC batteries. AC batteries are more efficient and are up to 30% more compact than DC batteries. Japan http://www.acbiode.com
- Apostera GmbH: Mixed Reality solutions for the companies developing Augmented Reality Heads-up Displays, for Navigation Suppliers and for OEMs. Our solution – based on augmented reality (AR), machine learning (ML), Computer Vision (CV) and sensor fusion technologies – adds a layer of intelligence to traditional navigation systems by merging the virtual and real worlds to help drivers understand more precisely where to maneuver their vehicle. Germany http://apostera.com
- Bareways: Bareways is developing middleware software for rural areas, providing not only optimized routing but also real-time information about passability and road conditions. Germany http://www.bareways.com
- Bettery: Bettery’s vision is a change of paradigm in energy storage and distribution for a new, sustainable circular energy economy. Bettery is introducing NESSOX, the green liquid battery with the highest specific energy and safety, and the lowest cost and recharge time ever reported. Italy http://www.bettery.eu/
- Caliber Data Labs: At Caliber Data Labs, our flagship edge-first platform, SceneBox, simplifies the collection, discovery, and management of large volumes of data such as high-resolution images, lidars, and videos. This system enables companies in perception-heavy application spaces such as autonomous vehicles, surveillance, and industrial robotics to spend their time on product development, instead of building AI models. Canada http://www.caliberdatalabs.ai
- Dilatant: The Dilatant mission is to become the recognized leader, utilizing Shear Thickening Fluid, of products that provide superior protection against violent head and neck motion as compared to impact-resistant helmets. Missouri, USA http://www.Dilatant.Tech
- Drive Trust: The DriveTrust camera is aimed at analyzing driving and driving-behavior in real-time. Our product has two cameras, one looking on the road and one inside the cockpit – which can detect tailgating, lane-centric driving / irregular lane departures, drowsiness, distraction, speeding, aggressive driving and more – for fleet managers. France https://drivetrust.eu
- E-GAP S.r.l.: E-GAP provides on-demand mobile charging services for electric vehicles by means of a mobile charging system, transported in a vehicle, which is also electric. Italy http://www.e-gap.com
- e-skin Displays: e-skin Displays has invented and created angle-independent, nano-structural color flakes – like the wings of a butterfly or the feathers of a peacock – with rich, vivid and bright colors that will never fade over centuries. The structural color flakes can be formulated into paint, cosmetics, printer ink, color displays, health monitors, radiation reflectors or power generators. California, USA http://eskindisplays.com
- GHOST – feel it.GmbH: GHOST – feel it offers a development environment to make machine-human interaction more intuitive, faster and more personal through information transfer via the sense of touch. The development environment allows the creation of advanced and multi-dimensional haptic interfaces and also links all relevant market participants via the higher-level platform. Germany https://www.ghost-feel.it
- HERO Bike: Hero Bike is introducing the first throttle-assisted, push-button motion-activation e-bike. Available in Europe on a pay-per-minute basis, our bike does not require a single effort to move, while having the security and comfort of a strong bike. Belgium http://herobike.co
- Infinite A.I.: Our product is Providence, the most advanced A.I.-powered human companion for detecting human emotional, biological, and psychological states. Nebraska, USA http://Www.infinite8institute.com
- Intvo llc: Intvo is focused on the smart software solution of using AI to observe, predict, and classify pedestrian behavior, enabling autonomous vehicles to better understand humans behavior and to be safe for their surroundings. Michigan, USA https://intvo.com
- MikErik Innovations: We created a device that allows for real-time communication and notification if a child or elderly person is left unattended in a vehicle. The device can also be used as a form of security in certain situations or monitoring of certain areas. Texas, USA
- Novac Supercap: Novac Supercap manufactures an innovative, shapable, all-solid-state structural supercapacitor. These unique supercapacitors provide supercar manufacturers with greater freedom to design and locate their vehicle supercapacitors, enhancing design flexibility and safety. Italy https://www.novacsupercap.com
- Proof Energy: Proof Energy is revolutionizing the future of power generation in transportation and stationary generator markets. Our 50kW Power Module uses Direct Ethanol Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology licensed from Lawrence Berkeley National Labs. As fuel cell range-extender, it significantly reduces the size and cost of battery pack enabling medium and heavy duty EV market. California, USA https://proof-energy.com/
- Quick Turn Studio GmbH: SevenIDE is a complete software solution product family – including a visual design studio, a highly optimized 3D runtime for superior graphics performance, and an innovative connectivity platform – for the design and engineering of digital HMI and UI for automotive and other embedded applications. Germany http://quickturnstudio.com/
- RecallRabbit: One in four cars in the US – over 58 million units today – has an outstanding recall. Dealers are by law only allowed to fix recalls on their own brands, leaving millions of used cars for sale on dealers’ lots that have unaddressed recalls on them. We are like Match.Com for dealers, connecting them to get the open recalls on their lots fixed. Texas, USA http://www.recallrabbit.com
- Serinus Labs, Inc.: Serinus Labs has developed early-warning technology to predict battery failure and potential fire and explosion hazard in Electric Vehicle (EV) lithium-ion battery modules. California, USA http://www.serinuslabs.com
- Sowda Engines and Compressors: The Sowda engine is the most revolutionary engine design since the Wankel engine, with the Sowda Engine mechanism resulting in the most fuel-efficient engine in the world. This high-efficiency is accomplished by providing an infinitely variable compression ratio and True Atkinson to the conventional 4-cycle engine. Pennsylvania, USA https://www.sowda007.com
- Teporto: Teporto enables a new commute modality, optimizing flexibility and traveling time while keeping the cost affordable for everyday commute. Israel http://www.teporto.com
- Tesseract Structural Innovations: The TSI Uniform Deceleration Unit or UDU, is a unique composite structure – consisting of a high-strength, low-density cast aluminum ‘foam’ surrounded by a novel high-strength aluminum skin structure – designed to fit into the wheel well of virtually any light-duty vehicle, and which limits the transfer of crash forces while maximizing energy-absorbing deformation. Arizona, USA http://www.tesseractinnovations.com
- Volvero: Volvero is an app (a marketplace), based on blockchain technologies, where owners (private and professional) can share their vehicles with the community. Our service reduces the number of vehicles wandering in the cities, traffic and pollution – resulting in a decrease in the demand for spaces for parking. California, USA http://volvero.com
GAMIC contestants compete in four technology categories –
1) E-Mobility
2) Connected Mobility
3) Autonomous Mobility
4) Conventional Vehicle Technology Innovations
Winners of the GAMIC competition, competing in the above four categories, will receive more than $300,000 of in-kind commercialization assistance and cash to accelerate their business in the automotive and mobility space. The in-kind commercialization prizes include public relations, legal, incubation, financial modeling, engineering modeling, investor prep, and targeted executive introductions as well as exposure to senior members of OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers with decision-making responsibility, budgets, and the need for the types of technologies our GAMIC winners offer. There will also be an award by PlanetM for the Best in Michigan Innovation Companies
Previous GAMIC Winners and Finalists have gone on to greater success, including being acquired or joint venturing, inking licensing contracts, launching their products faster, and obtaining additional development funding due to their enhanced visibility.
Major sponsors for GAMIC 2019-20 include PlanetM, SAE International, ESG Automotive, Eaton Corporation and Sterne Kessler.
GAMIC is an Accredited Partner of STEM.ORG.
For additional information visit eg8.bd8.myftpupload.com.
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About GAMIC
The Global Automotive & Mobility Challenge, or GAMIC, is an annual competition for early-stage automotive and mobility companies with new technologies. It was created to: identify innovative companies from around the world; cultivate new technologies and solutions; and hasten their adoption into the automotive and mobility industries. Participants get exposure to over 10,000 mobility experts at the GAMIC Finals during SAE International’s WCX World Congress in April. Winners share more than $300,000 in commercialization acceleration services and cash, along with facilitated introductions to the industry’s top decision-makers and influencers.