In connected car news tips this week were Tesla, Toyota, ON Semiconductor, Cohda, Three Group, Ford, Hitachi, INRIX, Viper, Audi, Magna and ZF.
Top Best a’ Tesla
Tesla pushed out an update to Tesla S and X models. The update enables the Autosteer function to work up to 80 mph instead of 55, enables Lane Departure Warning, Auto Lane Change and the Summon feature allowing owners to move the car backwards or forwards at low-speed by remote control. Adjusting headrests and the opening height of the Falcon doors on the Model X features have been upgrade.
Toyota & NTT Connected Car Collaboration
Toyota and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (“NTT”) have agreed to collaborate on developing, verifying, and standardizing technology in the connected car field, combining the automotive vehicle-related technologies. They will collaborate on data collection, accumulation, and analysis. They will create technologies for building and administering the platform and processing the collected Big Data in real-time. The will also test next-generation communication technologies (5G, edge computing).
ON Bridges DC-DC
ON Semiconductor launched the FDMF8811, the industry’s first 100 V Bridge Power Stage module for half-bridge and full-bridge isolated dc-dc converters. The 25 A-rated device integrates a 120 V driver IC, a bootstrap diode and two highly efficient power MOSFETs in a PQFN-36 package.
The FDMF8811 reduces the board area required for dc-dc converter designs by approximately one third compared to discrete implementations, enabling engineers to design smaller systems.
Cohda Granted by Aussie Gov’t
Cohda Wireless announced that it has been the successful recipient of two grants from the Government of South Australia, totaling $2 Million, as part of the Future Mobility Lab Fund. The fund will provide $10 million over the next three years to projects that demonstrate, develop, or contribute to the applied research of future mobility technologies.
Cohda Wireless claims it is the world’s leading supplier of Vehicle-to-Vehicle, Vehicle-to-Infrastructure and Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (collectively called V2X) Connected Vehicle solutions, and is now developing CAV solutions for Car Makers, Smart Cities, and Mining.
3’s Company with Cisco Jasper
Three Group has announced a partnership with Cisco Jasper which extends Three Group’s capabilities in the global Internet of Things (IoT) marketplace.
From mid-2017, Three Group’s enterprise customers wanting to launch IoT services will be able to do so using Cisco Jasper’s pl connectivity management platform, Control Center. Customers will be able to access Control Center locally through Three Group’s national networks, while global customers will have the option of accessing Control Center through Hue, Three Group’s mobile enabling services division.
The Three Group sees significant demand for the Control Center platform in all of its markets and particularly including connected car technology. Connected Car initiatives enable auto makers worldwide to transform their vehicles into connected hubs capable of delivering services that enhance the driver’s experience, drive new revenue and deliver powerful Research & Development insight into vehicle performance. As the autonomous car market evolves, the role of reliable, automated connectivity will be critical to the delivery of ongoing services. Cisco Jasper has a deep history in the Connected Car market, with 50 of the world’s largest auto brands using Control Center for their Connected Car initiatives.
Ford Invests in Advanced Data
For Ford is investing $200 million for an advanced data center to support the company’s expansion to an auto and a mobility company. It is the second of two new data centers Ford is building in Michigan, as the company expects its data usage to increase 1,000 percent – driven by manufacturing and business needs and new mobility services, such as more connected, autonomous and electrified vehicles.
Hitachi Does Prius PHV
Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. today announced that hot wire slot-in type airflow sensors from Hitachi Automotive Systems have been used in the new, fully redesigned Prius PHV launched by Toyota Motor Corporation in February 2017.
The Hitachi Automotive Systems hot wire slot-in type airflow sensors used in the new Prius PHV are notable for their high levels of precision and high reliability. They have been used in the latest model Prius, launched in December 2015, and are now also being used in the new Prius plug-in hybrid model.
PeopleNet and Trimble Offer 4G LTE
PeopleNet and Trimble announced that it is the first fleet management provider to offer a connection to 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks, now available through its PeopleNet ConnectedFleet platform, in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Through the ConnectedFleet platform, fleets can connect their drivers, devices and equipment in real-time to improve efficiencies and increase safety. With the introduction of LTE connectivity, PeopleNet customers can now have the potential for faster connection speeds and the ability to access information more efficiently in geographical areas that previously had little to no coverage.
Magna Invests in Canadian AI
Magna is playing a key role in bolstering Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) expertise and leadership position by investing in the next generation of AI research and experts. Magna announced it has committed to invest $5 million CDN into the Vector Institute, a new independent AI research facility which held its launch event today in downtown Toronto. Vector will be dedicated to cutting-edge exploration of AI, specializing in the transformative fields of deep learning and machine learning. The research aims at attracting, developing and retaining some of the best and brightest in the area of AI.
Toyota Collaboration with Standford, MIT, U-M & More Colleges
The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) will collaborate with research entities, universities and companies on materials science research, investing approximately $35 million over the next four years in research that uses artificial intelligence to help accelerate the design and discovery of advanced materials. Initially, the program will aim to help revolutionize materials science and identify new advanced battery materials and fuel cell catalysts that can power future zero-emissions and carbon-neutral vehicles.
Initial research projects include collaborations with Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan, the University at Buffalo, the University of Connecticut, and the U.K.-based materials science company Ilika. TRI is also in ongoing discussions with additional research partners.
INRIX Expands Parking RSVP
INRIX, announced the expansion of its parking reservations capabilities in INRIX Parking. INRIX has brought together availability, reservations and payments for both on-street and off-street parking into a seamless in-car navigation experience.
The INRIX Reserve & Pay platform gives drivers even more options for reserving parking. INRIX Parking currently includes street parking information in over 40 cities worldwide, and a garage and lot parking database with more than 31 million spaces in nearly 100,000 locations spanning 4,500 cities in 65 countries. The platform now includes reservations from SpotHero, the leading off-street parking reservation service in the United States, and Parking Panda, the leading reservation service in Canada and event parking provider in the United States, expanding on existing capabilities from Parkmobile, ParkU and PayByPhone.
Tint World to Offer Viper Products
Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, a leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, has partnered with Directed, a world leader in automotive electronics, to offer customers their full line of Viper security and remote starter products.
Audi Buys Silvercar
The Audi board today announced it intends to fully acquire Silvercar Inc., a shared mobility company, to expand its digital mobility solutions and services.
The Austin, Texas-based Silvercar helps Audi strengthen its platforms to serve the evolving mobility needs of the U.S. marketplace. The two companies have worked together since 2012, developing and delivering innovative consumer mobility offerings under the Audi mobility, Silvercar and Dealerware brands. In 2015, Audi participated in a $28 million Series C investment in Silvercar. The company employs about 150 people.
ZF acquires 45% of Astyx
ZF has acquired approximately 45 percent of the shares in Astyx Communication & Sensors GmbH. Astyx develops and produces ultrahigh-frequency radar sensors and modules for the automotive and other industries.
Astyx develops and produces sensors for short and long-range radars. Together with ZF, Astyx will develop the next generation of radar sensors for vehicle manufacturers globally designed with the capability to deliver even more precise images of the short and long-range environment.
car2Go Supports Vision Zero
car2go NA, pledged support for “Vision Zero,” a road safety initiative championed by cities around the world with the goal of totally eliminating road fatalities and serious injuries. car2go announced its support for Vision Zero during the Washington Regional Vision Zero Summit at George Washington University’s Milken School of Public Health in Washington, D.C.
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