SEMA Member News—July 2019
ETTN: The Vehicle Technology Connection
Vehicle technology is evolving at lightning speed. For the automotive aftermarket, revolutionary new technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) present both challenges and opportunities.
For the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), the mission is to identify, communicate and provide stakeholders—engineers, programmers, industrial designers and product developers—with the knowledge of emerging trends and new technology to ensure success.
 The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), in conjunction with the SEMA Garage, brings you the SEMA “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide.” This guide is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software. |
In more practical terms, the network is both a resource and a repository. One example is a manufacturer’s need to test and validate a suspension system or electrical components to ensure that the product meets durability, safety and other guidelines. Finding a conveniently located test lab capable of performing the work can be difficult and time-consuming.
That scenario is what motivated the network’s select committee to compile the “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide,” said Marla Moore, who will become ETTN’s immediate past chair in July. The reference guide was created in conjunction with the SEMA Garage and is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.
“Finding a company that can validate your products and provide the testing to make sure the products do what they’re supposed to do would take a lot of research,” Moore said. “Between all of us on the select committee, we already had a pretty good list that we had vetted and used. We added additional resources that have been used by other members or the SEMA Garage. And now, if somebody is looking to test suspension parts, you can find all of that information in the guide instead of spending hours searching online and not knowing if the company does what you’re looking for.”
The guide is divided into six product categories: body/structural; electrical; emissions; engine/performance; suspension; and wheels and tires. Each category contains a list of resources. Simply click on a listing to be connected to the company website. To access the guide, visit www.sema.org/ettn_resource_guide. To submit additional listings for consideration, email SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.
Connecting Through Collaboration
There are other groups within SEMA that also have constituent interest in advanced vehicle technology and its impact on the market segment each group serves. They include the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council; the Truck & Off-Road Alliance (formerly the Light Truck Accessory Alliance); the Professional Restylers Organization; and the Wheel &
Tire Council.
To provide a forum for inter-council conversation and collaboration, ETTN created the Cross-Council Tech Subcommittee. Comprised of technically charged engineers, owners, product developers and the SEMA Garage technical staff, the subcommittee represents every segment of the industry.
During monthly open forums, subcommittee members work as a team to identify and discuss tech-related challenges or opportunities specific to each council or network. SEMA Garage staff also share updates on projects that pose vehicle-tech challenges, and they seek feedback from the group. Additional participants are always welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.
“The subcommittee is predicting that the most impactful technology revolution is on the horizon, and we must be armed with the latest knowledge and insights to position our industry for expansion and monetization of this technology,” Moore noted. “Every SEMA-member manufacturer should have its technically charged staff join ETTN to ensure that they have access to the most current information available.
“It is easy to get involved. Any employee of any member company can join, and it’s free! Our hope is that all members will be actively involved to help make a difference in the future of our industry.”
To join ETTN, visit www.sema.org/ettn-signup.
ETTN Welcomes New Select Committee Members
ETTN is pleased to welcome three newly elected members to its select committee: Jonathan Mill from Wheelwell; Robert Morreale from The Tuning School and Robert Prucka from Clemson University. Joining them are incumbents Nick DiBlasi of Race Winning Brands and Gabe Hall from MagnaFlow.
