In connected car news are Zonar, AiDEN, Mavi, Stellantis, dSPACE, Mapbox, Cerrence and Renesas.
Zonar Unveils Next-Generation LD Telematics Unit for Light-Duty Fleet Optimization
Zonar has launched its upgraded Zonar LD™ Telematics Control Unit (TCU), a plug-and-play solution offering advanced vehicle intelligence and security for light-duty fleets. Designed to meet growing industry demands, the new TCU enhances fleet operations with features like faster installation, over-the-air updates, and expanded vehicle compatibility.
Key features include:
- Quick Installation: Sync and deploy in just two minutes.
- Improved Updates: Faster enhancements to diagnostics and vehicle data.
- Expanded Coverage: Broader support for diverse vehicle models.
- Towing Detection: Alerts for towing events to enhance security.
- Cold Start Tracking: Monitors device reboots to detect tampering.
Addressing the diverse needs of sectors like field services, retail, and last-mile delivery, the Zonar LD TCU offers detailed diagnostics and streamlined fleet management. It empowers school districts and e-commerce businesses to optimize smaller vehicles for transportation, student tracking, and delivery efficiency.
For more details, visit Zonar LD TCU.
AiDEN and Mavi Partner to Revolutionize In-Car E-Commerce
AiDEN Automotive has announced a partnership with Mavi to integrate the Mavi OnMyWay Commerce platform into connected vehicles. This collaboration aims to redefine in-car convenience by enabling drivers and passengers to shop for food, beverages, and other essentials directly from their vehicle’s interface.
Leveraging AiDEN’s advanced vehicle connectivity and data integration, the partnership ensures a seamless and reliable experience across diverse automotive brands and models. With the automotive e-commerce market projected to grow from $100.14 billion in 2024 to $343.13 billion by 2032 (CAGR 16.6%), this collaboration positions both companies at the forefront of the connected vehicle commerce revolution.
Mavi’s CEO, Cynthia Hollen, highlighted the platform’s ability to scale quickly across automotive ecosystems, while AiDEN’s CEO, Niclas Gyllenram, emphasized the transformative potential of integrating e-commerce into connected car experiences. Together, the companies aim to deliver smarter, faster, and more intuitive shopping experiences to drivers and passengers worldwide.
For more details, visit aiden.ai or mavi.io.
Stellantis and dSPACE Partner to Accelerate Vehicle Software Development
Stellantis and dSPACE have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the development of Stellantis vehicles through cloud-based tools. The partnership will integrate dSPACE’s VEOS platform for Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing into the Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW), enabling early-stage software testing in virtual environments. This approach significantly reduces time-to-market and improves product quality by allowing up to 85% of testing to occur on SIL platforms.
Stellantis’ software strategy, built on AI-powered platforms STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive, will debut in 2025, delivering agile and innovative features for its 14 brands. The VEW’s Virtual Cockpit accelerates development cycles by 100 times compared to traditional methods, supporting over 3,800 daily users.
Yves Bonnefont, Stellantis Chief Software Officer, emphasized the collaboration’s role in delivering customer-focused innovations, while Carsten Hoff, CEO of dSPACE, highlighted the opportunity for advanced software validation. The MOU’s implementation awaits a definitive agreement.
Mapbox & Cerence Voice-Powered Navigation Solutions
Mapbox and Cerence AI have announced a partnership to integrate Mapbox’s navigation services with Cerence AI’s voice-driven in-car assistant platform. This collaboration aims to simplify development, enhance user experiences, and drive innovation in in-vehicle and mobile navigation systems. Launching in Q1 2025, the solution features Cerence’s advanced voice capabilities, including noise reduction and offline functionality, integrated with Mapbox’s Navigation SDK. The partnership addresses challenges in combining voice and navigation systems, enabling streamlined, intuitive, and real-time navigation experiences for automotive OEMs and developers.
Renesas 100V MOSFETs
Renesas Electronics Corporation has unveiled new 100V N-Channel MOSFETs with superior high-current switching performance for applications such as motor control, battery management, power tools, electric vehicles, charging stations, and data centers. These innovations are powered by Renesas’ proprietary REXFET-1 process, which significantly enhances efficiency and reduces power loss in customer designs.
Key features include:
- Reduced On-Resistance: The REXFET-1 process lowers on-resistance by 30%, minimizing power loss.
- Improved Charge Characteristics: A 10% reduction in Qg and a 40% reduction in Qgd enhance efficiency during switching.
- Compact Packaging: The new RBA300N10EANS and RBA300N10EHPF MOSFETs feature TOLL and TOLG packages that are 50% smaller than traditional TO-263 packages and offer compatibility with industry standards.
Renesas integrates these MOSFETs with its extensive portfolio to provide Winning Combinations—technically vetted system architectures like the 48V Mobility Platform and 3-in-1 Electric Vehicle Unit. These solutions enable customers to streamline product development and accelerate time to market.
The RBA300N10EANS and RBA300N10EHPF MOSFETs are now available in production volumes, accompanied by a reference design and application note. For more details, visit renesas.com/MOSFET.