TOP OFFICIALS FROM NHTSA, AUTO ALLIANCE AND MIT TO DISCUSS DISTRACTED DRIVING ISSUES AND TECHNOLOGY AT CONNECTED CAR EXPO, NOVEMBER 19

LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected cars are quickly becoming the standard on today's roads, as they help address rising safety concerns and cater to increasing consumer demand for advanced technology. To address this topic, the country's top automotive safety official David L. Strickland plus Mitch Bainwol, the head of the largest association of automakers and Bruce Mehler, a renowned researcher from MIT will discuss "Overcoming the Distracted Driving Roadblock" as part of the Connected Car Expo (CCE) held Tuesday, November 19 in conjunction with the LA Auto Show Press Days Nov. 20 & 21, 2013.

The Connected Car Expo is bringing together the largest gathering of business professionals involved in the rapidly converging eco-system that is defining the connected car and ultimately the future of mobility.  CCE will take place the day before LA Auto Show Press Days and provide the automotive and technology industries with the most comprehensive showcase of new mobility solutions currently transforming the driving experience.

"Overcoming the Distracted Driving Roadblock," as moderated by John Quain of the New York Times and CBS News, will uncover the most critical issues confronting the growth and acceptance of the connected car, including how to strike a balance between the in-dash features and content drivers want, while maintaining their attention to the road.

The three thought leaders, each with strong and potentially opposing viewpoints from government, the automotive industry and academia will come together to discuss distracted driving. David Strickland, administrator, NHTSA, has pushed for increased government regulation to hasten the adoption of safety technologies such as electronic stability control and soon perhaps automatic braking. Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO, Auto Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, is a strong advocate of automobility, manufacturing and auto industry jobs and has been deemed by the Washington Post as a "Top D.C. Lobbyist and Man in Demand" as well as one of the 50 most influential "politicos" in Washington.

Rounding out the three is Bruce Mehler Research Scientist, MIT AgeLab and The New England University Transportation Center, where he explores methods of combining psychophysiological measures with other assessment techniques to develop a richer understanding of cognitive workload, stress, attention, and emotional arousal in applied settings.

Automakers maintain that emerging technologies such as voice recognition allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and off their mobile devices while providing technology that keeps them informed, entertained and productive, but opponents argue this may cause significant cognitive distraction.

"You can't have a discussion on the connected car without the topic of distraction," says Doug Newcomb, CCE conference chair. "It's a hurdle that must be overcome to ensure that drivers are safe while they are still able to access the content that makes their time in the car more pleasant and productive. That's why we are bringing together the top thought leaders to explore the topic in an exchange of ideas to help solve this crucial issue."

Register before July 15 to receive our early registration discount. For more information, including details on how to participate and an updated list of panelists, visit connectedcarexpo.com and facebook.com/connectedcarexpo.

About the Connected Car Expo 
Designed to be the automotive industry's most comprehensive showcase of new mobility solutions, the Connected Car Expo (CCE) will debut on November 19, 2013 and continue in conjunction with the 2013 LA Auto Show^® Press Days on Nov. 20 and 21. The 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.  Produced by the LA Auto Show parent company ANSA Productions and chaired by automotive technology expert Doug Newcomb, the CCE is purpose-built as a thought leadership forum, technology showcase and industry exchange hosted in the innovation capital of Los Angeles. For more information, please visit connectedcarexpo.com.

SOURCE Connected Car Expo