Magna's Innovations Recognized at PACE Pilot Awards
At last night’s Automotive News PACE Pilot Awards, Magna was honored for pushing the boundaries of future mobility innovations with an award recognition of the company’s AI-Based Thermal Sensing Technology. Now in its fifth year, Magna has received a total of three PACE Pilot Awards, which honor pre-commercial, post-pilot product, process, software and IT system innovations.
Magna’s OPTiForm™ One-Piece Tub Battery Enclosure and SmartAccess™ B-Pillarless Power Door System were also named PACE Pilot finalists. Collectively, these recognitions reflect the company’s ongoing focus on developing smarter, safer, and more flexible solutions that can adapt to evolving OEM and consumer needs.
PACE Pilot Award Winner
AI-Based Thermal Sensing with Convolutional Neural Networks
Magna’s AI-powered thermal sensing system dramatically enhances driver awareness in low-visibility conditions by detecting pedestrians, animals and cyclists far beyond the reach of headlights. Using an ultra-sensitive infrared camera and convolutional neural networks, the system provides real-time heat signature analysis with object classification and movement prediction, improving detection range and reducing false positives. It integrates seamlessly into both centralized and distributed vehicle architectures, supporting advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking.
PACE Pilot Finalists
OptiForm™ One-Piece Battery Enclosure
Magna’s OptiForm™ One-Piece Battery Enclosure introduces the industry’s first near-rectangular, deep-draw single-component battery enclosure. Utilizing an innovative deep draw stamping process, the design delivers near-rectangular corners and vertical sidewalls in a single piece—enhancing leak tightness and increasing available battery space by up to 10%. It also streamlines manufacturing by eliminating the need for welds, fasteners, and sealers, resulting in weight savings and improved efficiency. This advancement reflects a step forward in battery enclosure design, supporting greater efficiency and sustainability in electric vehicle applications.
SmartAccess™ B-Pillarless Power Door System
Magna's SmartAccess™ B-Pillarless Power Door System removes the traditional B-pillar, offering an advancement in vehicle accessibility and design flexibility. The system supports evolving mobility needs and helps address challenges like tighter urban parking. By integrating the B-pillar into the door structure, the solution enables larger openings and easier ingress and egress—all while maintaining vehicle styling and meeting structural requirements. The design also allows the front and rear doors to slide independently, improving functionality and enhancing the overall user experience.
We’re incredibly proud of our teams behind these innovations. Their passion, creativity, and collaboration are what drive our success — and continue to move the industry forward.
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