Cadillac takes wireless charging cue with Powermat in emblematic move

ccadillacwirelessGM announced that Cadillac will add wireless charging of smartphones in the 2015 model ATS sport sedan and coupe launching this fall. The wireless charging will be compatible with Powermat and other in-phone wireless charging technologies, therefore  once inside the car, you place the smartphone on the mat and you don’t have to connect a cord to charge it.

Because people keep their smartphones with them all day and Bluetooth uses a lot of battery juice, wireless charging in cars is an ideal solution.

Following its introduction into the 2015 ATS, wireless charging technology will be added to the Cadillac CTS sport sedan this fall and to the Escalade SUV at the end of 2014.

Powermat enables the phone to rest on a rubberized pad and the battery is recharged by an electromagnetic field. An increasing number of smartphones have wireless charging either embedded or as an option. The wireless charger GM and Powermat created accommodates the majority of these enabled devices.

The wireless charging mat is inside the storage bin behind the full instrument panel. The door opens and you place the phone inside. It all is shaped like a Cadillac emblem.

Cadillac’s CUE system is the centerpiece of the ATS Coupe’s connected car features. With 2015 models CUE includes  Text-to-Voice for smartphone users with Bluetooth profile (M.A.P.), which reads incoming texts through the car’s speakers.

This kind of wireless charging is different from electric cars that can be charged without a connection such as the Toyota Prius that are expected to be very profitable.

Chrysler offers a wireless charging accessory by Mopar for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram vehicles.

Cadillacs can also be outfitted with the Safety Alert Seat that vibrates warnings of lane departure, forthcoming accidents and parking assist.