LA Auto Show's Connected Car Expo FASTPITCH Competition Finalists Revealed

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two months ago, the LA Auto Show announced that it would offer start-up app developers and budding auto technology companies the opportunity to showcase their innovations and present pioneering mobility solutions to key industry leaders at the Connected Car Expo's (CCE) FASTPITCH competition. Now, the best of the best have been selected, and eight start-ups have emerged as clear front-runners.

With the help of Robert Herjavec of ABC's "Shark Tank," a group of esteemed industry decision makers will listen to pitch presentations and select a winner from these eight finalists on the opening day of CCE, Nov. 19. This year's judges include Philip Potloff, Executive Vice President and CIO at Edmunds.com; Christy Wilson, VP of Product Operations at Splunk; Linda Senigaglia, NeverLost Senior Director of Product Marketing for Hertz; and Martin Price, Co-Founder of Productsy. The event emcee is Jon Alain Guzik, founder and CEO of RideApart and Hubris Factory, Inc.

Each FASTPITCH entrant was challenged to solve a current roadblock affecting the automotive landscape. The top ideas address an array of issues, ranging from privacy and security to mapping and safety. The following finalists will now compete for the FASTPITCH title, powered by Splunk®.

AIRMIKA Inc. AUTOcyb™

With the AUTOcyb™, AIRMIKA Inc. aims to ease the privacy and consumer protection concerns of motorists driving connected, electronics-intensive vehicles.  A simple device that the driver controls safeguards access to automotive 'black box' in-vehicle electronics networks. A 2013 Technovation Selectee at Consumer Electronics CEweek in New York, AIRMIKA's AUTOcyb™ is the world's first and only vehicle cyber security lock. It is globally standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). With a simple turn of a key, users exert their Fourth Amendment expectation of privacy.  Think of it as your vehicle's firewall.  "Make everyone ask your permission" is the company's mantra.

Estify

Estify aims to streamline the auto collision industry with the use of cloud-based services. The proposed system uses three platforms to simplify the collision repair process. EstifyTransfer imports estimate data into the current estimating platforms, EstifyReconcile combines multiple estimates in a split second and EstifyParts electronically sends parts lists to many providers simultaneously, ensuring competitive pricing for shops and convenience for users.

Green Driver EnLighten™

Green Driver's EnLighten™ app uses real-time traffic light information and existing infrastructure to improve safety at intersections, increase in-city fuel economy and reduce driver stress, while enhancing convenience. With seven cities already online, Green Driver aims to become the leading source of traffic light signal data, providing added value to manufacturers, drivers and local traffic regulation agencies.

TOSH Electric & Construction Electronic Flare System and Apparatus (Electronic LED Flare)

In an effort to decrease post-crash risks and increase driver safety, the multi-purpose Electronic LED Flare uses a sensor-based device that will deploy when a vehicle is involved in an accident or detects a power failure, leaving the vehicle stranded. The system can be installed during the vehicle's production phase, or added as an aftermarket device.

Trucker Path

Trucker Path is a popular logistical assistant app geared toward professional truck drivers and trucking companies. It provides Weight Station and Truck Stop detailed information, locations, reviews, directions and pin point map locations. It provides detailed information about highway patrol weight stations in all 50 states and features information, such as, address information, phone/fax numbers, user reviews, current weather, directions, map view of stations and whether a specific weight station is open or not.

USC Marshall School Gaugify

The Gaugify app offers a variety of LCD cluster skins for drivers who prefer customization to maximize visual organization. The proposed cluster skins include in-house designs as well as collaborations with popular brands such as Gucci or Hello Kitty to help create the perfect aesthetic for each driver.

USC Stevens ClearPath

In an effort to exceed the efficiency of current GPS mapping applications, ClearPath has invented a navigation system that can identify the fastest path at any given time. ClearPath identifies routes that take 18% less time to travel as compared to the most sophisticated existing solution, while also taking into account multiple points of interest and predicting accident impact. With requested funding, ClearPath is slated to run on all major smart phones.

Victoria Walker RodeDog

RodeDog is a mobile app created by 11-year-old Victoria Walker, which helps prevent texting and driving. Walker's app functions by "barking" at users who attempt to unlock their mobile device on the road. The app also notifies the driver's "pack" if smart phone usage occurs while traveling above a set speed, in an effort to promote social responsibility. RodeDog recently won the AT&T "It Can Wait" Hackathon competition. 

Robert Herjavec will announce the FASTPITCH winners immediately following a panel on entrepreneurs' role in the changing automotive industry, and the first place winner will be awarded a Splunk Start Program Enterprise License: 20GB for 12-month term, including Splunk education, marketing and support teams ($40,000 Value).

"Our finalists have exceeded our expectations with their timely and solution-based innovations," said Erik Swan, Splunk CTO and Co-founder. "We look forward to seeing their presentations and assessing their salesmanship skills on CCE's opening day."

Media registration for Connected Car Expo Press Days can be accessed here. General registration for CCE is also open at this time. For more information, please visit www.connectedcarexpo.com.

About Splunk

Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLK) provides the engine for machine data™. Splunk® software collects, indexes and harnesses the machine-generated big data coming from the websites, applications, servers, networks, sensors and mobile devices that power business. Splunk software enables organizations to monitor, search, analyze, visualize and act on massive streams of real-time and historical machine data. 5,600 enterprises, universities, government agencies and service providers in over 90 countries use Splunk Enterprise to gain Operational Intelligence that deepens business and customer understanding, improves service and uptime, reduces cost and mitigates cybersecurity risk. Splunk Storm®, a cloud-based subscription service, is used by organizations developing and running applications in the cloud.

To learn more, please visit www.splunk.com/company.

About the Connected Car Expo 

Recognizing that tech innovation and integration have transformed the automobile into the ultimate mobile device, LA Auto Show® organizers (ANSA Productions) launched the Connected Car Expo (CCE) – a global stage designed to showcase new mobility solutions, unveil new auto technology and connect professionals from two ever-converging industries. CCE represents a singular environment in which the companies, key players and media involved in the connected car space can exchange ideas, develop solutions and create the business opportunities that will shape the future of transportation. Chaired by automotive technology expert Doug Newcomb, CCE is purpose-built as a thought leadership forum, technology showcase and industry exchange hosted in Los Angeles – an international hub for innovation. CCE debuts on November 19, 2013, and will continue as part of LA Auto Show® Press Days on Nov. 20 and 21. For more information, please visit http://www.connectedcarexpo.com.

Media Contacts:
Sanaz Marbley/Alexis Linn
JMPR Public Relations, Inc.
(818) 992-4353
[email protected] 
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SOURCE LA Auto Show