Connected Car News: Texas Instruments, Volvo Cars, ZF Group, Drive TLV, wejo, Aerospike, MAPFRE, Iteris & Geotab

In connected car news are Texas Instruments, Volvo Cars, ZF Group, Drive TLV, wejo, Aerospike, MAPFRE, Iteris and Geotab.

 

TI Intros Humidity Sensors

Texas Instruments (TI)  introduced the first devices in a new family of humidity sensors that provide the industry’s highest reliability and accuracy and the lowest power consumption – along with built-in protection of sensing elements. The HDC3020 and HDC3020-Q1 will allow engineers to create more reliable industrial and automotive systems that withstand potential damage caused by moisture, and react as needed to changing water vapor conditions over time.

Offering improved relative humidity measurement accuracy with reduced long-term error, when compared to existing RH sensors, the HDC3020 and HDC3020-Q1 preserve data integrity under stress conditions and are the industry’s first to provide integrated correction to adapt to drift caused by natural aging, environmental stress or interactions with contaminants. To learn more about the impact of long-term drift and accuracy, read the technical article, “Why long-term consistent performance matters for relative humidity sensors.”

Extend system reliability with enhanced sensing elements

The HDC3020 and HDC3020-Q1 achieve lower drift in extreme conditions than competing devices, with less than 0.21% RH accuracy drift per year and less than 5% RH drift from temperature and humidity stress (tested up to 85% RH and 85°C). This sustained accuracy enables longer system lifetimes, eliminating the need to frequently replace or recalibrate the sensor.

When exposed to stress or contaminants, the sensors also provide a second line of defense, where even a small accuracy drift from the sensor’s time-zero specification can be removed using integrated drift correction technology. Low drift is especially important in long-life applications, because it enables better performance and greater reliability over time.

Increase system efficiency with the industry’s highest accuracy

The HDC3020 and HDC3020-Q1 provide the highest accuracy – verified with a procedure traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology – across the full supply voltage of 1.62 V to 5.5 V and the widest temperature and humidity range at ±1.5% RH. This high accuracy enables more precise control of a system, increasing efficiency by ensuring that the system only runs when necessary.

Additionally, the HDC3020 and HDC3020-Q1 are available in several pin-to-pin compatible package cover options, such as removable polyimide tape and permanent IP67-rated filter covers. The covers provide ingress protection against dust and moisture for the devices during assembly and system lifetimes, and help maintain accuracy when the sensor is exposed to contaminants.

Increase lifetimes for battery-operated systems with the industry’s lowest-power humidity sensors

Ultra-low power consumption (nanoampere) across a wide supply range from 1.62 V to 5.5 V enables low-power operation both while a system is actively running and in sleep mode. An automatic measurement mode enables humidity sensing at regular intervals to capture data while the rest of the system sleeps, further preserving system battery life in applications such as cold-chain data loggers; wirelessly connected environmental sensors such as air-quality monitors, smart home or wireless sensor nodes in buildings; or IP network cameras.

Package, availability and pricing

Preproduction versions of the HDC3020 and HDC3020-Q1 are available exclusively on TI.com in 8-pin leadless plastic small-outline packages. Pricing starts at US$1.65 in 1,000-unit quantities. Multiple payment and shipping options are available on TI.com. Additional devices in the family that offer analog output and packages with protective covers are expected to be available by the end of the year.

Volvo Cars Android OS

In Volvo Cars’ next generation of fully electric cars, customers can look forward to a car that gets better every day and offers a simple, serene and seamless Volvo user experience – from getting a car, to being inside it and controlling it on your mobile device.

Volvo Car Group was the first car maker to introduce cars with an infotainment system powered by Android Automotive OS with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play built-in. It now continues its strategic collaboration with Google to take infotainment and connectivity to the next level.

The next generation of Volvo Cars’ approach to user experience is part of the VolvoCars.OS, an umbrella of the various operating systems in electric Volvos across the car and the cloud, and starts with Android Automotive OS and a new in-car display approach.

Intertwining engineering and design, Volvo Cars and Google are together building a user experience for simplicity to optimise safety. The user experience design is built on a clear split of information for the driver, according to the level of relevance while behind the wheel.

A high-resolution driver information screen gives the driver the most relevant information related to driving, such as speed and battery levels. A heads-up-display helps keep key information in front of the driver without having to glance away.

Future Volvo cars will also come with a large, centralised touch screen that provides rich content, easy-to-see information and responsive interaction. The principle is that everything customers need should always be easily accessible, either by touch or by voice command. No immediate needs or information are buried deep inside menus, many clicks away.

The result is a simple user experience that is consistent, clean, easily scannable and takes a minimalistic and contextual approach. It provides only the right and required information at the right time and ensures that Volvo drivers can focus on driving and remaining safe on the road.

ZF Group Intros ADAS.ai

ZF Group is introducing a new scalable suite of Data and AI based services for ADAS Virtual Engineering and Digital Validation called ADAS.ai. ADAS.ai is designed to help OEMs accelerate the development of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. ZF ADAS.ai can be applied to ADAS systems developed by ZF as well as other Tier I suppliers.

Drive TLV Power in Israel

A new mobility proving ground and development center is opening this year in Israel to accelerate the growth of startup companies working on smart-mobility and other next-generation automotive technologies.

Founded by Drive TLV, POWER by Drive includes a 20,000-square-foot proving ground and a headquarters facility with meeting rooms, offices and laboratories for use by high-tech startups and interested corporate partners.

The center officially opened in June for testing, technology validation and collaboration by startups and corporate partners including Honda, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group, DENSO, NEC Corporation, Novelis, Cox Automotive, Hertz, Ituran, Next Gear Ventures and Israel’s Mayer Cars and Trucks Group. It is located in suburban Tel Aviv.

Eyal Rabin, POWER’s manager, notes that the test track can be set up with traffic lights, roundabouts, street signs and other features to simulate a wide variety of traffic situations. The secure geo-fenced facility guarantees user privacy and protects the confidential nature of technology under development.

Engineers from the Mayer Cars and Trucks Group will support test and development programs taking place at the POWER center.

“POWER by Drive is a logical next step in the commercialization process that includes our FastLane program,” says Dr.Tal Cohen, Drive TLV’s co-founder.

FastLane is a unique program designed to match high-tech startups with major corporate players in the mobility market. Startups that have participated in the program have raised a total of more than $1 billion in the past four years.

Technologies under development at Drive include different levels of automated driving and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), connectivity software, automated vehicle-inspection systems, a variety of vehicle electrification projects and smart-city applications.

To further accelerate the commercialization of new technologies at POWER some of its corporate partners plan to establish offices at the new development center as well. With POWER in their backyard, travel also will not be an issue for Israeli technology firms wanting to test, validate and quickly demonstrate their innovations for prospective partners.

“Startups with exceptional mobility products often need help to commercialize their technology,” Cohen explains. “That’s where Drive TLV and its partners can assist with guidance and collaboration consulting.

“People don’t understand how much goes into onboarding and commercializing new technology. In our world, corporations and startups are like elephants and mice. They are two different animals with two different heartbeats that need to learn how to dance together.”

He points out that POWER is designed to bring corporations and technology startups closer together in order to build the trust and understanding vital to any long-term business relationship.

“POWER helps ‘de-risk’ the initial stages of collaboration and significantly increases the likelihood of success,” Cohen concludes. “Both sides, the startups and their corporate mobility partners, can benefit from the process.

“Startups want to showcase their technology, while major corporations want the process to go quickly and smoothly. POWER provides the platform to help startups understand the ecosystem in which they will be working, while helping their new corporate partners learn how to best utilize the mobility innovations under development.”

Wejo Patners with Microsoft, Palantir & More

On the heels of a definitive agreement to enter a business combination with Virtuoso Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:VOSO) (“Virtuoso”) in a transaction expected to close later this year, Wejo Limited (“Wejo”), a global leader in connected vehicle data, today announced that it has joined forces with industry leaders Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) (“Microsoft”), Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) and Sompo Holdings (TYO: 8630) (“Sompo”) to advance the cutting-edge applications of connected vehicle data worldwide. Through the combination of their strategic partnerships and investment, the companies will play a critical role in supporting Wejo’s vision of building the manufacturer-agnostic industry standard in connected vehicle data, creating applications across multiple marketplaces, including automotive, smart city, fleet, insurance, mobility, payments and more, while enriching lives around the globe.//

Aeospike Joints AECC

The Automotive Edge Computing Consortium (AECC) today announced that Aerospike, global leader in next-generation, real-time data solutions, has joined as its newest member. The AECC is a non-profit consortium of cross-industry players working to drive best practices for the coming vehicle and computing convergence. Aerospike brings expertise in real-time data platforms to the organization, as well as extensive experience enabling companies to use massive amounts of data to make better decisions, while simultaneously simplifying an organization’s infrastructure and reducing costs.

MAPFRE in MA

-MAPFRE, the largest auto insurer in Massachusetts, today launched MotionSmart℠, a usage-based insurance (UBI) program available to new MAPFRE policyholders in Massachusetts. Developed in partnership with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the largest telematics company in the world, MotionSmart assesses users’ driving behaviors and provides personalized safe-driving tips, based on real-time behavior.

Iteris Contracted by LA Metro

Iteris, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI), the global leader in smart mobility infrastructure management, today announced that it has been awarded two contracts from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) for smart mobility planning services related to the conversion of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on two major freeways in Los Angeles County, demonstrating growing demand for Iteris’ specialized consulting services in a key geographic market.

Under the terms of the two sub-contract agreements with WSP and Parsons Corporation, which total $1.5 million, Iteris will provide services in the areas of traffic forecasting, microsimulation and development of concept of operations to support HOT lane conversions along the I-405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass and the I-10 Freeway in the San Gabriel Valley respectively. The freeway system improvement strategy will help to reduce congestion, improve mobility, and provide more routing flexibility and traffic efficiency for around 600,000 daily highway users across more than 25 freeway miles in Los Angeles County.

The concept of HOT lanes is a managed lane system that helps to improve the operations of a corridor by combining high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, commonly known as carpool lanes, with dynamic pricing strategies. In contrast to HOV lanes, HOT lanes allow single-occupant vehicles to use the HOT lanes to save travel time if they choose to pay the applicable toll.

launch of LEVC Telematics, Connected by Geotab☨, a new service which offers access to vehicle insights to help businesses of all sizes increase productivity and cost savings of their electric vehicles. Available to order* on both TX electric taxis and VN5 electric vans, customers will benefit from having an award-winning telematics solution installed directly into the vehicle, helping to optimise the way vehicles are used by delivering near real-time data to monitor vehicles as smartly and efficiently as possible.

Geotab Partners with LEVC Telematics

Geotab processes over 40 billion data points from more than 2.3 million vehicles around the world. LEVC Telematics, Connected by Geotab, is centred around a simple online dashboard for ‘at-a-glance’ vehicle management. Maximising the cost-saving represented by LEVC’s unique eCity powertrain, the new offering also includes tools dedicated to electric vehicle reporting.

Available for all new TX and VN5 orders, LEVC Telematics, Connected by Geotab, can also be fitted retrospectively to LEVC vehicles already on the road.

TX and TX shuttle are powered by LEVC’s proven and innovative eCity technology, zero emissions capable for 63 miles (101km), with a flexible range of over 316 miles (510 km). Both TX models feature a spacious passenger environment with six passenger seats, wheelchair accessibility and a purpose-built partition separating the driver from occupants.

LEVC’s new electric van, VN5, operates in the one-tonne sector and shares the same bold, distinctive design and lightweight aluminium construction as TX, as well as its innovative eCity electric technology. VN5 can achieve a pure EV range of over 60 miles (98 km)** and a total flexible range of over 300 miles (489 km) and, with up to 5.5m capacity, VN5 cargo capacity easily accommodates two Euro sized pallets with a gross payload of up to 830kg.

*A 12-month subscription to LEVC Telematics, Connected by Geotab, costs £200 / €220 + VAT
** Pure EV (electric-only) range 60.9 miles.Pure EV range City 75.8 miles in accordance with EAER Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figures (October 2020).
☨Ranked the number one Commercial Telematics vendor worldwide by ABI research for two consecutive years, Geotab’s unique open-platform solution is utilized by more than 40,000 businesses in over 130 countries around the globe. Processing over 40 billion data points per day from over 2.3 million connected vehicles around the world, Geotab delivers critical business intelligence to enable companies to make data-driven decisions relating to safety, productivity, efficiency, electrification and more.