In connected car news this week are Cinemo, Synopsys, Nuance, Cree and Polycharge.
Cinemo & HUMAX
Cinemo, a global leader in high performance and automotive grade multimedia playback, streaming, media management, connectivity and cloud middleware, and HUMAX Automotive, a global In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) provider focusing on Audio/Video, Navigation Head Unit and Accessory development in advanced performance related automotive entertainment, collaborated at CES Asia 2019 on a cockpit solution that energizes the in-car experience.
HUMAX connected head unit was powered by Cinemo’s software architecture delivering a cogent array of technologies that create a vibrant network environment of multi-media control, personal device integration, and local and cloud online services. Cinemo’s Projection Plus extends the versatility of the head unit mirroring your smart phone with immersive audio and video, streaming, and the ability to push content to other connected Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) devices.
Synopsys Buys QTronic
Synopsys, Inc. announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire QTronic GmbH, a leader in simulation, test tools, and services for automotive software and systems development headquartered in Germany. When completed, the acquisition will broaden Synopsys’ product portfolio of automotive solutions serving the needs of automotive Tier 1 and OEM companies and add a team of highly experienced engineers to accelerate technology development and customer deployment.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including certain foreign regulatory filings, and is expected to close in Synopsys’ fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019. The terms of the deal, which is not material to Synopsys financials, are not being disclosed.
Nuance Spins into Cerence
Nuance Communications, Inc. announced the name for its upcoming Automotive spin-off: Cerence Inc. This new brand and identity will become official when the business separates from Nuance on October 1, 2019. At that time, Cerence Inc. will become an independent, publicly traded automotive software company.
Cerence is an invented name and word, coined from powerful visual and linguistic associations with intelligence, experience, serenity and control. The word has smooth, visually consistent letterforms and natural pronunciation across languages: “Cer” which rhymes with air and “ence” like sense. Visually, the new logo is inspired in part by the right and left sides of the human brain – a blend of art and science as well as experience and innovation – and the typography invokes fluidity and forward motion.
The business delivers immersive experiences that make people feel happier, safer, more informed, and more entertained in their cars. Bringing together voice, touch, gesture, emotion, and gaze innovations, it creates deeper connections between drivers, their cars and the digital world around them. It currently powers A.I. in more than 280 million cars on the road globally across more than 40 languages and for nearly every major automaker in the world, including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Geely, GM, SAIC, Toyota, and many more.
Cree Wafers On ON
Cree, Inc. and ON Semiconductor Corporation announced the execution of a multi-year agreement where Cree will produce and supply its Wolfspeed® silicon carbide wafers to ON Semiconductor, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications. The agreement, valued at more than $85 million, provides for the supply of Cree’s advanced 150mm silicon carbide (SiC) bare and epitaxial wafers to ON Semiconductor for use in high-growth markets, such as electric vehicle and industrial applications.
PolyCharge Investment
PolyCharge America, Inc. (www.polycharge.com), a Tucson, Arizona-based capacitor technology company, announced today that it has closed a strategic investment from SFM Holdings, an investment arm of Mursix Corporation (www.mursix.com).
A spin-off of Sigma Technologies (www.sigmalabs.com) and culminating from a long-standing partnership with Delphi Technologies, PolyCharge was formed in 2017 to commercialize its NanoLam™ technology for the production of high energy density, high temperature, capacitor products for vehicle electrification.
All electric drive vehicles require power inverters to convert DC voltage from the battery to AC voltage, which is required to drive the motor. The DC-link capacitor serves a critical and necessary role in all inverters used in today’s electric vehicles. Existing wound film capacitors take up significant space within the inverter, are heavy, exhibit shorter lifetimes, and are performance limited at higher operating temperatures. PolyCharge, using its proprietary NanoLam™ thin-film dielectric technology, addresses all of these concerns. The result is a self-healing DC link capacitor that is at least half the size of conventional polypropylene film capacitors, functions reliably at higher temperatures, and has a longer life.
Grab Grabs Telenav
Telenav, Inc. a leading provider of connected-car and location-based services, announced it has entered into a strategic partnership and transaction with Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super app, to boost the latter’s development of geo-based products and services using Telenav’s OpenTerra™ platform. Grab plans to use Telenav’s OpenTerra platform to process data from its fleet of vehicles to enhance its location-based services.
This is the first major deal for Telenav in which it will provide its OpenTerra platform to an outside company. As part of the agreement, Grab will purchase the technology underlying the OpenTerra platform with plans for certain members of the OpenTerra team to join Grab. Telenav will be able to continue developing the platform going forward through a license back to the OpenTerra platform, with the ability to provide and sub license the platform to current and future custom.
Renesas 4th Gen Li-on Management
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced its fourth-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery management IC that offers unmatched lifetime accuracy. The ISL78714 provides accurate cell voltage and temperature monitoring, along with cell balancing and extensive system diagnostics to protect 14-cell Li-ion battery packs while maximizing driving time and range for hybrid and electric vehicles (HEV/MHEV/PHEV/BEV).
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced its fourth-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery management IC that offers unmatched lifetime accuracy. The ISL78714 provides accurate cell voltage and temperature monitoring, along with cell balancing and extensive system diagnostics to protect 14-cell Li-ion battery packs while maximizing driving time and range for hybrid and electric vehicles (HEV/MHEV/PHEV/BEV).
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