Nominations are officially open for the inaugural Automotive Interiors World Awards, which will be announced live on June 24, 2026, at Automotive Interiors Expo Europe – now part of the new Vehicle Tech Week Europe.
Launched in 2026, the AIW Awards are set to become a standout fixture in the global automotive industry calendar. The non-profit initiative has been created to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the world’s leading vehicle interior engineering suppliers and specialists.
All those involved in automotive interior design, development, engineering and supply are eligible for consideration, and the awards will highlight innovation, technical excellence and real-world impact across the sector.
The first AIW Awards will join the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International Awards and the Automotive Testing Technology International Awards as part of UKi’s newly launched Vehicle Tech Week Europe, which will take place June 23-25, 2026, at the Stuttgart Messe in Germany. The week will bring together three complementary events that celebrate technologies, applications, teams and individuals across the mobility sector.
Judging process
The winners will be decided by the votes of a panel of expert OEM engineers, consultants and technical writers from the world of automotive interior development and design.
Categories
The awards recognize the constant evolution of the industry. To ensure every company has the opportunity to showcase its best work, the categories are structured to reflect ongoing progress and the diversity of innovation across the sector.
The categories for 2026 are as follows:
- Design Team of the Year (OEM/Tier 1)
Recognizing a team that has delivered outstanding holistic interior design across ergonomics, aesthetics, materials and UX.
- HMI and UX Innovation of the Year
For excellence in human-machine interaction, intuitive UX flows, interaction models, gesture/voice control, personalization, accessibility, or cognitive design.
- In-cabin Safety Innovation of the Year
Spotlighting innovation in interior safety technology, including occupant detection, driver attention monitoring and other active and passive safety systems.
- Sustainable Interior Innovation of the Year
Honoring sustainable materials, recyclability, supply-chain impact, carbon reduction, circular design processes and environmentally positive interior strategies.
- Interior Concept of the Year
For visionary concept interiors not yet in production, showing the future of mobility, space use, HMI, modularity or material innovations.
Why participate?
Those honored will join a community of innovators pushing the industry forward. It is a great opportunity to build recognition and credibility for the work that a company is doing, and to endorse its place within the industry – generating new business leads, increasing brand awareness, and rewarding and encouraging internal teams. What’s more, the ceremony offers a fantastic chance to network and meet with potential partners.
Submit a nomination for the Automotive Interiors World Awards here.
