January 2026
January 15, 2026
From First Looks to Follow-Up Questions: Our ADED Conference 2026 Recap
It’s been a little while since our last newsletter, and we have plenty to catch you up on! The EMC team has been hard at work on several exciting projects, including a few that made their debut at the ADED 50th Conference and Expo, held August 7–11.
We’re excited to recap some of the highlights from the conference and share additional resources inspired by the conversations we had with our partners, evaluators, and industry colleagues. And if you’re wondering how we brought home the Best Booth Award, you’ll have to keep reading!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by the booth and chat with our crew. If you were unable to attend, here’s a breakdown of what you missed.
The backdrop of our booth this year was The General, EMC’s mobile unit. This truck carried all of our supplies from Augusta, ME, down to Richmond, VA, for the conference.
Two tables made a reappearance this year. At the far end was the Custom Orthotics and Design display. A variety of orthotic devices filled the table, allowing attendees to test the designs and feel the difference between the rubber and smooth finishes. Two designs that caught their attention were the custom foot steering wheel and lightweight joystick tri-pin.
Featured in the center was the AEVIT™ 2.0 System display with input devices, A.I. Commander, and an interactive GenX Display. The table also had the VIM, Control Module, and Drive Modules available for viewing.
We took attendees down memory lane by showcasing a DigiDrive II Joystick, DS-2000, EGB, and AEVIT 1.0 System! It was fantastic meeting evaluators who remembered the release of these devices, as well as those who got their start in their high-tech careers 26 years ago with AEVIT 1.0.
Our feature table displayed something never before seen: the AEVIT NextGen System! Attendees got to interact with the new user interface and experience the reengineered Chassis and VIM. It was fun watching everyone compare its size to the 2.0 and 1.0!
Read more about the AEVIT NextGen System in the article below.
Our “Dream Team,” Dan and Jessica, kicked off our conference experience with a Product Presentation, where they introduced high-tech driving equipment to first-time attendees. And, of course, everyone learned that the AEVIT NextGen System is blue!
The presentation was followed by a Product Demonstration, where Dan explained the J-Series installed in the BMW and answered questions about our products.
We would also like to give a big thank you to Brandon Higgs of H&T Driver Rehab in Plano, TX, for leading our SoapBox session. Brandon’s presentation gave attendees a perspective on how our equipment is used out in the field.
It was a night of awards at the closing gala! Our very own COO, Phil Nuza, was the recipient of the Award for Research and Applied Engineering. This award was given to a person who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments in the area of research and applied engineering related to driving mobility.
Phil has been part of EMC since 1999 and has dedicated his career to providing the service EMC is known for and being an integral part of our engineering team, helping keep EMC the leader in drive-by-wire technology.
EMC was the recipient of the Best Booth Award! This award was voted on by conference attendees and recognized the booth with the best design, appearance, and presentation. A lot of planning went into this booth, and we are honored that it was the attendees’ favorite!
“You can find us at Booth 43. Just look for the big booth with the bright lights...and the semi-truck.” That’s how Jessica introduced the EMC booth at the Product Presentation Saturday night of the conference. When attendees walked up to the booth, they learned we weren’t kidding!
In January, we unveiled the amazing wrap on The General and mentioned that we had big ambitions for it. We were proud to show it off during this conference. The team has been working diligently to prepare this rig for its future with EMC as a mobile unit.
The General is able to transport multiple vehicles and hold training gear, installation equipment, and demonstration products. We’re excited for the day we get to announce its next journey. The General will be a showcase of EMC’s history while making history in the industry!
We definitely had the biggest and brightest booth in the exhibition hall. Your eye was immediately drawn to it the moment you walked through the door. A few attendees even asked to have their picture taken with it!
One message we wanted to get across to people is that there are so many possibilities with our high-tech equipment. The AEVIT™ 2.0 System can be installed into virtually ANY vehicle with an automatic transmission, even big rigs like The General. The juxtaposition of the small BMW convertible next to the giant truck showed the wide range of possibilities.
"It's Blue!"
If you were able to attend the conference and happened to stop by our booth, you saw something brand new. Displayed on one of our tables was a first look at the AEVIT™ NextGen System!
The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees were invited to pick up the new controls and experience the changes firsthand. The biggest shock was how lightweight and compact the VIM and Chassis have become compared to the current AEVIT 2.0 System.
Some of their favorite updates were the new icons and menus. The icon screens have been expanded to include updates for activation direction, such as window opening and closing, as well as added icons like GAP and RESUME within the cruise control functions. The programming menus have also been simplified for easier navigation and system settings.
One CDRS noted how amazing it will be to change a setting, such as braking direction, with a single click. Others were impressed with the implementation of a programming menu “Key.”
This “Key” inserts into a port on the side of the AEVIT NextGen Display, allowing only dealership personnel and certified evaluators to access sensitive programming menus.
Features of the AEVIT NextGen System were influenced by the feedback we have received over the years from our dealerships and driving evaluators. Attendees who have been prescribing the AEVIT System for years were delighted to see their input implemented. EMC prides itself on our relationships with our business partners and the level of trust they place in us. You know that when you are prescribing, installing, or receiving an AEVIT System, you have a team here to support you.
The AEVIT NextGen System is pending a release date. Keep an eye on our social media and news releases for updates.
One conversation that came up again and again while talking with our partners was joystick tension. Many of our experienced evaluators shared how changing the springs within the joystick input device has helped them find the right amount of resistance for their clients. We also had several newer evaluators asking follow-up questions about how the different springs work and when to use them.
Changing the springs adjusts the amount of force needed to move the joystick, adding more or less tension to the push or pull. To help answer those questions, we have a chart showing the tension rate for each available spring on our website under the Technology tab on the Primary Driving Controls page. We also have a tutorial showing how to replace the springs, available under the Resources tab and on our YouTube channel.
Additionally, we were able to speak about the importance of software updates for evaluator systems. If you have any questions about your system's software history, please email our service department at emcservice@aevit.com.
Let us know if you’re thinking about making the move into prescribing high-tech driving equipment! EMC offers a 2-day training course for Driving Rehabilitation Specialists designed to provide both classroom education and hands-on experience.
You and/or a small group will be paired with an EMC Training Specialist who will walk you through the history and fundamentals of the AEVIT System before getting behind the wheel for some hands-on experience. You’ll have the opportunity to drive the system yourself and gain a better understanding of what high-tech driving equipment can offer your clients.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to the EMC Sales and Customer Service Team to begin your application. The course is open to new high-tech prescribers as well as Driving Rehabilitation Specialists who have been prescribing EMC equipment for years.
Training sessions are private, free of charge, and scheduled around your availability. Sessions are held at the EMC facility in Augusta, Maine.
