Google Wins Top Award for Automobility

Google was voted the winner of the “Overall Achievement” category in the inaugural Automobility Awards presented by AutoBeat Daily and Automotive Design & Production.

Google was recognized for its pioneering work on the development of autonomous vehicle technology. The company, which has been road-testing self-driving cars for several years, is now collaborating with Fiat Chrysler on a fleet of prototype Chrysler Pacifica minivans equipped with advanced driver-assist systems.

Four other organizations also received awards. They include Tesla Motors (vehicle systems), Continental Automotive (systems development), NVIDIA (technology) and the University of Michigan’s Mcity complex (testing). The latter is a 32-acre proving grounds for autonomous vehicles in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Winners were selected by a panel of five judges based on their contributions in advancing next-generation autonomous and connected vehicle systems and emerging mobility services. The judges included Brett Smith of  the Center for Automotive Research, John Waraniak of Specialty Equipment Market Assn., Dan Sturges of Local Motors, Gary Vasilash of Automotive Design & Production and Bill Hampton of AutoBeat Daily.

The awards ceremony was held Wednesday evening at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich., in conjunction with today’s Automobility 2016 conference in Dearborn.