In connected car news are GM, Blink, Ridecell, Lion Electric, Keysight and Eyesight.
GM Changes Deal with Nikola
General Motors Co. announced it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nikola Corporation for a global supply agreement to provide its Hydrotec fuel cell system for Nikola’s Class 7/8 semi-trucks. The MoU replaces the previous transaction announced Sept. 8, 2020.
New Blink Charging Stations at Burger King
Blink Charging Co. a leading owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, announced an agreement with JSC Management Group, a large Burger King franchisee, to deploy numerous EV charging stations at key Burger King locations across the Northeast. Blink will maintain ownership of the charging stations deployed at JSC Burger King locations, and additional JSC locations will be added to the Blink network in late 2020/early 2021.
“These new charging stations are a key example of how Blink creates unique solutions for every partner and at every location,” commented Michael D. Farkas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blink. “Blink works with partners to identify not just the types of charging equipment needed, but also the best business model for the partnership – by determining whether operation and ownership should be by Blink, by the partner, or in collaboration.” Through this agreement, JSC will host the Level 2 IQ 200 fast charging stations while Blink will retain ownership and operate the stations.
Blink Charging also announced that it has acquired the EV charging operator U-Go Stations, Inc. and its portfolio of 44 DCFC charging locations. The purchase also includes multiple grants awarded to U-Go, for the deployment of up to an additional 45 new charging stations. The charging stations are located across ten states, expanding Blink’s DCFC footprint.
Gentex & PayByCar Support Paying for Gas from Cars
Gentex Corporation a leading supplier of digital vision and connected car technologies to the global automotive industry, and PayByCar, Inc., an innovative provider of transactional vehicle solutions, have announced a commercial agreement that will allow an increasing number of drivers to pay for gas and other essentials directly from their vehicle.
Specifically, the companies are working to ensure compatibility between Gentex’s Integrated Toll Module® (ITM®), and PayByCar™, an innovative payment solution that allows drivers to use their smartphone and toll transponder to fuel up at certain gas stations without using cash or a credit card.
PayByCar uses the driver’s toll transponder to identify the vehicle upon entering a participating gas station. The system immediately sends a text message to the driver, who replies with the appropriate pump number. PayByCar then turns on the pump, registers the transaction, charges the driver’s credit card, and issues an email receipt.
Gentex supplies automakers with Integrated Toll Module, a nationwide toll collection technology for factory integration into new vehicles. The system combines almost all U.S. tolling protocols, providing drivers with unencumbered access to toll roads throughout the U.S. while eliminating the need for multiple transponders cluttering the windscreen.
By ensuring compatibility between the two technologies, Gentex and PayByCar believe they can help each other grow their mutual customer base while introducing new users to the benefits of the transactional vehicle.
DENSO Invests in Ridecell
DENSO, a leading mobility supplier, announced it has invested again in mobility platform developer Ridecell as part of the company’s Series C financing round. DENSO first invested in Ridecell, which helps commercial fleets digitally transform their operations, in 2017.
DENSO’s investments strengthen ties between the companies and allow each to accelerate advances in connected solutions for mobility providers. These advancements are particularly useful to fleet operators looking for more seamless and efficient ways to manage fleet data, automate workflows and ensure secure vehicle access.
Lion Electric
The Lion Electric Company, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced intends to combine with Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: NGA), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company focused on a commitment to sustainability and strong alignment with environmental, social and governance principles. Upon closing of the transaction, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion will merge with and into Northern Genesis, and Lion is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the new ticker symbol “LEV”.
Valeo Reveal 12/1
Valeo, a world leader in vehicle electrification, will unveil another breakthrough innovation revolutionizing electric mobility, on December 15th at 1 pm CET (Paris time) on www.valeo.com.
Keysight Adopted by ElringKlinger
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, and ElringKlinger, one of the world’s leading technological partner to the automotive industry, have collaborated to advance e-mobility in the field of battery development for electric vehicles.
ElringKlinger will use Keysight’s Scienlab Battery Test Solution to extend their development capacities.
Keysight’s Scienlab Battery Test Systems enable ElringKlinger to further test and validate cells to identify the most effective combination of cells for the targeted end-customer application. Battery modules consisting of several of those cells are used to develop battery systems including a battery management system (BMS), thermal management and necessary mechanical components.
Eyesight Tech in US Automakers
Eyesight Technologies, an AI computer vision in-cabin automotive solutions provider, today announced that an existing US OEM has doubled its order, bringing the overall lifetime value to an estimated $30m USD and increasing Eyesight Technologies’ total number of design wins to ten.
The OEM’s order is for the integration of Eyesight Technologies’ Driver Sense driver monitoring solution (DMS) into its vehicles with the start of production (SOP) slated for 2021. Eyesight Technologies’ Driver Sense DMS utilizes AI and computer vision to monitor the driver for signs of distraction and drowsiness behind the wheel to help create a safer driving experience. The expansion of the order reflects the OEM’s trust in the quality, maturity and robustness of Eyesight Technologies’ DMS solution.