Hughes Telematics, Inc. Recognized for Innovations in Automotive and mHealth Technology

ATLANTA, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Telematics, Inc. (HTI), a Verizon company and a leader in providing next-generation connected solutions, today announced that its In-Drive^® solution has won a Stevie^® Award for Tech Innovation of the Year. The Stevie Awards are presented by the American Business Awards and conferred by industry experts to recognize achievements in business.  

This award comes on the heels of another major distinction when Lifecomm, a majority-owned subsidiary of HTI, recently won a Caregiver Friendly^® award from Today's Caregiver magazine. The Caregiver Friendly awards celebrate products, services, books and media created with the needs of caregivers in mind. 

"The awards for the Lifecomm and In-Drive capabilities underscore how telematics can create positive new business models and consumer experiences," said Erik Goldman, president of Hughes Telematics, Inc.  "We remain committed to delivering practical, approachable telematics applications that provide real value and security to individuals in their everyday lives."

Consumers were first able to experience HTI's technology in Mercedes-Benz vehicles through the Mercedes-Benz mbrace^® system, which launched in November 2009. Then in 2011, HTI introduced its In-Drive device, an aftermarket telematics solution which can be self-installed in most vehicles sold in the U.S. after 1996. This enabled drivers of older vehicles to enjoy emergency, roadside and convenience services – an option which had not previously existed for the vast majority of cars on the road.

With the Lifecomm service, HTI adapted its automotive solutions – including emergency response and GPS – for personal use. Featuring one-touch emergency calling and automatic fall detection, the Lifecomm service is designed to help active seniors maintain their independence while providing peace of mind for caregivers. The Lifecomm service is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2013. 

The recognition illustrates HTI's success at adapting its versatile, embedded automotive technology to diverse uses in different industries. From its inception, HTI focused on its flexible and scalable telematics architecture to allow for the continuous addition of new services and to accommodate a variety of different hardware options. This approach has yielded significant achievements, including: the Mercedes-Benz mbrace Mobile App, the first truly integrated telematics smartphone application; Drive Save and Save™ with In-Drive, a usage-based insurance program with State Farm^®; and recent relationships with Volkswagen Group of America, AAA Club Partners and Towers Watson. HTI is expanding its product offerings outside the United States and potentially into areas such as industrial control systems.

HTI was recently acquired by Verizon.

About Hughes Telematics, Inc.

Hughes Telematics, Inc. (HTI), a Verizon Company, is a leader in implementing the next generation of connected services. A subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), HTI offers a portfolio of location-based services for consumers, manufacturers, fleets and dealers through two-way wireless connectivity. In-Drive^®, HTI's aftermarket solution, offers safety, security, convenience, maintenance and data services. Networkfleet, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of HTI located in San Diego, CA, offers remote vehicle diagnostics, an integrated GPS tracking and emissions monitoring system for wireless fleet vehicle management. A majority-owned subsidiary of HTI, Lifecomm, located in Atlanta, GA, plans to offer mobile personal emergency response services through a wearable, lightweight device with one-touch access to emergency assistance. Additional information about HTI can be found at hughestelematics.com.

About Lifecomm

Lifecomm is an innovative mobile health and wellness solutions company with a proven, best-in-class infrastructure of integrated back office systems and wireless network connectivity via the largest wireless carriers in the United States. Lifecomm is a majority-owned subsidiary of Hughes Telematics, Inc., and a joint venture between Hughes Telematics, Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated and American Medical Alert Corporation. For more information, please visit www.lifecomm.com or follow us on Twitter @lifecommllc.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements related to the future expectations and timing for the development and commercialization of Lifecomm's MPERS solution, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and the actual actions or results may differ from these current expectations. Important factors which might cause a difference between actual and expected events include: (i) greater than expected and/or increased costs or unexpected delays associated with the development and commercialization of Lifecomm's MPERS solution, (ii) inability to successfully develop the technology to support Lifecomm's MPERS solution, (iii) uncertainty relating to consumer interest in and acceptance of Lifecomm's MPERS solution, (iv) risks associated with changes in the competitive or regulatory environment in which Lifecomm operates; and (v) risks associated with prosecuting or defending allegations or claims of infringement of intellectual property rights. No party undertakes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events occurring after the date of this press release.

SOURCE Hughes Telematics, Inc.