The other finalists and their products are:
- Dustin Golat, co-owner of GolaTTaylor Tools —Thread Wizard, a tool engineered to remove all grime, dirt, surface rust and fouling from a bolt in a fraction of the time when compared to traditional methods.
- Jacob Hawksworth, CEO of Hypercraft USA — Hyper-Pack, a modular battery pack system for electric vehicles that allows builders to configure a custom high-voltage battery system for their EV project.
- Susan Pieper, founder and CEO of DMOS Collective Inc. — Stealth and Delta Car Shovels, advanced designed shovels that are easy to stow and mount on various vehicle racks and platforms. and
- Frank Terlap, co-founder and CEO of Auto Techcelerators L.L.C. — Drive CoPilot, a technology platform designed to help perform, document and invoice for ADAS safety system verification testing, dynamic calibrations, seat-belt function tests, etc.
The TRAC Tire Jack can be described as a lever with caster that a shop technician uses to remove a tire/wheel assembly from a vehicle jacked up slightly off the shop floor. The tech slides one end of the TRAC Tire Jack under the tire/wheel assembly with lug nuts removed, steps on one end of the jack, lifts the assembly and moves it away from the vehicle.
The tool's design allows individuals to remove the tire/wheel assembly without having to lift with their back. The welded-steel tool weighs five pounds and is 18.5 by 5 by 2 inches.
Robinson promotes the tool with: "Work Smarter not harder, use the jack-not your back."
Robinson's other product, the TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart was recognized at the 2019 SEMA Show as the best new product in the Tools & Equipment category.
The five finalists were chosen by a panel of judges from among 15 entrants — out of 100 entries — who pitched their ideas to the judges several times over the summer.
"This year's SEMA Launch Pad competitors were among the best that we've ever seen," Myles Kovacs, founder and owner of DUB magazine and TIS Wheels and a judge for the third time, said.
"I'm constantly amazed at the ingenuity, passion and drive we see from competitors. It's going to be difficult to select just one winner from the group."
Other judges are: Chip Foose, award-winning vehicle builder and artist; Jared Hare, an innovator, entrepreneur and founder of Addictive Desert Designs; and Alex Parker, chief marketing officer of Redline Detection, the 2020 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.
At the SEMA Show, the five finalists will pitch their products before a live audience on Nov. 2, offering insights on their business and marketing activities. Two finalists will go on to pitch their products on stage at the SEMA Awards Banquet on Nov. 3.
"Winning SEMA Launch Pad is truly an opportunity of a lifetime," Kovacs added. "Not only does each competitor benefit from the experience, but we are also able to shed light on the products and services that fill a gap in the industry and can inspire future inventors to do the same."
The other finalists don't go home empty-handed. The runner-up will earn a prize package valued at up to $27,000, while third place's prize package is valued at up to $12,000 and fourth and fifth at $8,000.
The 15 semifinalists will have their products displayed at a Launch Pad Corral in Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth No. 22970, SEMA said, giving them an opportunity to educate showgoers on their inventions, increase brand awareness and reach thousands of potential buyers and business partners.
