In connected car news are Zonar, VicOne, Block Harbor, Denso, Canatu and Mercedes-Benz.
Continental Finalized Sale of Zonar to GPS Trackit on December 3
Continental announced on December 3 the completion of the sale of Zonar, a leading smart fleet management provider, to GPS Trackit, a pioneer in cloud-based IoT fleet solutions and GPS tracking. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The sale aligns with Continental’s Group Sector Automotive strategy, introduced in 2022, which emphasizes focusing on core strengths and streamlining business operations.
“The decision to sell Zonar was part of our broader automotive strategy to sharpen our focus and enhance our fundamental strengths,” said Philipp von Hirschheydt, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Automotive. “As the market continues to evolve, value creation remains the cornerstone of our strategic efforts. Continental is committed to leveraging innovation and operational excellence to strengthen its position in the marketplace by further investing in its core competencies to prioritize growth.”
Zonar, founded in 2001 and based in Seattle, Washington, employed over 300 people and was recognized for pioneering smart mobility solutions across vocational, pupil, mass transit, and commercial trucking industries. Its mission was to enhance safety, performance, and customer success through actionable and AI-enabled insights.
Charles Kriete, CEO of GPS Trackit, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “We were thrilled to welcome Zonar to the GPS Trackit family. This acquisition represented a significant step forward in our mission to deliver innovative, customer-focused fleet management solutions. By combining our best-in-class video platform with Zonar’s advanced technologies and industry expertise, we created unparalleled value for our customers and disrupted the market as two leaders in customer satisfaction. Together, we built on the Zonar legacy of excellence and drove transformative growth.”
Founded in 1871, Continental develops technologies and services for sustainable, connected mobility of people and goods. In 2023, the company reported €41.4 billion in sales and employed approximately 200,000 people across 56 countries and markets.
Robbe Derks and Greg Hogan Win Automotive CTF 2024 at Auto-ISAC Summit
The team of Robbe Derks (Belgium) and Greg Hogan (United States), known as “greaterthan,” won the Automotive Capture the Flag (CTF) 2024 competition, receiving a $35,000 prize. The event, hosted by VicOne and Block Harbor, concluded with an awards ceremony on October 23 at the Auto-ISAC Cybersecurity Summit in Detroit.
Automotive CTF 2024 attracted nearly 1,200 participants from over 500 global teams, engaging in simulated real-world challenges to address vehicle cybersecurity. Six finalist teams advanced to a hardware-based finale in Detroit, tackling complex problems on platforms like RAMN.
The competition highlights the industry’s need for skilled practitioners, bridging traditional IT security and automotive cybersecurity. Challenges are now available year-round via Block Harbor’s VSEC platform to foster continuous learning.
VicOne CEO Max Cheng emphasized the event’s role in identifying vulnerabilities and advancing skills, while Block Harbor CEO Brandon Barry noted its importance in uniting the hacker and automotive communities. The Automotive CTF serves as a catalyst for talent development and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of vehicle cybersecurity.
DENSO and Canatu Collaborate to Advance Carbon Nanotube Technology for Sustainable Mobility
DENSO Corporation has signed an MOU with Canatu to advance the practical application of carbon nanotube technology, targeting advancements in autonomous driving and carbon neutrality. The collaboration focuses on using carbon nanotube-based transparent conductive films to address challenges such as frost and condensation affecting vehicle sensor visibility.
Canatu’s expertise in producing high-purity carbon nanotubes and forming transparent conductive films complements DENSO’s automotive technology and mass production capabilities. The partnership has already developed a reactor in Finland to enhance carbon nanotube productivity and is working on transparent heaters for vehicle cameras and windshields.
The companies will focus on three key areas:
- Research & Development: Explore new applications like solar power and transparent heaters.
- Mass Production Technologies: Enhance manufacturing processes to meet production standards.
- Global Supply Chain Development: Establish a stable, high-quality supply chain.
DENSO and Canatu aim to drive sustainable mobility and contribute to carbon neutrality through innovative technological solutions.
GigaDevice Achieves ASIL D Certification for Automotive-Grade SPI NOR Flash Products
GigaDevice, a leader in semiconductors, has announced that its GD25/55 SPI NOR Flash Automotive-Grade Product Family has received ISO 26262:2018 ASIL D certification, the highest level of automotive functional safety. This certification, awarded by SGS, validates the product’s safety, reliability, and suitability for demanding automotive applications, further strengthening GigaDevice’s leadership in the SPI NOR Flash market.
The certified GD25/55 products meet stringent safety and quality standards, including AEC-Q100 Grade 1, and are designed for diverse automotive electronics such as ADAS, autonomous driving, infotainment, and battery management. Key features include data throughput rates up to 400MB/s, support for multiple communication modes, a lifespan of up to 20 years, and enhanced safety with ECC algorithms and CRC checks. Global shipments of GigaDevice automotive-grade Flash products have surpassed 200 million units.
Ruwei Su, Vice President of Flash BU, emphasized the importance of functional safety in ensuring data reliability under extreme conditions. GigaDevice will continue to prioritize safety, innovation, and quality to support global automotive customers with advanced storage solutions.
Mercedes-Benz Unveils MBUX Notes: AI-Enhanced In-Car Note-Taking
Mercedes-Benz has introduced MBUX Notes, a generative AI-powered voice note app designed to enhance in-car productivity and safety. Available in 30 European markets and expanding globally, the app integrates seamlessly with the third-generation MBUX infotainment system, offering hands-free, multilingual note-taking for tasks ranging from meeting agendas to creative brainstorming.
Features and Functionality
- AI-Powered Summarization: Utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4o to create concise, bullet-point summaries of voice notes, securely processed via end-to-end encryption.
- Ease of Use: Notes can be shared through email (Gmail, Outlook) or synced with apps like OneNote and Outlook Notes, enabling seamless access beyond the vehicle.
- Privacy First: Mercedes-Benz ensures notes are anonymized and not permanently stored by third parties, prioritizing user data security.
Availability
Currently offered in 30 European countries, MBUX Notes will soon launch in the U.S., Japan, and seven other key markets. The app requires an active MBUX Entertainment Package Plus subscription.
Mercedes-Benz continues to redefine the in-car experience, positioning MBUX Notes as a groundbreaking tool for productivity and convenience in the age of generative AI.