In connected car news are: Cambridge GaN, First Student, PlaxidityX, Geotab, Bluedot, REE,
Daanaa Res, IonQ & Polestar.
Cambridge GaN Devices Secures $32M to Accelerate GaN Power Innovations
Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) has raised $32 million in a Series C funding round led by a strategic investor, with support from British Patient Capital and existing backers including Parkwalk, BGF, and Cambridge Innovation Capital. The funding will drive the expansion of CGD’s proprietary ICeGaN® technology, which enhances energy efficiency in high-power applications like electric vehicles and data centers.
With GaN technology offering superior performance over silicon-based alternatives, CGD is well-positioned to capitalize on a rapidly growing market projected to reach $2 billion by 2029. The investment will support global expansion across Cambridge, North America, Taiwan, and Europe, helping CGD scale production and penetrate the automotive sector.
HALO: Transforming Student Transportation with Innovation
First Student, a leader in student transportation services, has introduced HALO™, an advanced technology platform designed to enhance efficiency, safety, and communication in school transportation. HALO integrates all critical aspects of transportation management, offering a unified system that benefits school districts, parents, and drivers.
Key Features of HALO:
- Smart Routing & Optimization – Continuously adapts routes based on real-time data to enhance safety, reduce delays, and improve efficiency.
- 360-Degree Dispatch Management – Allows dispatchers to oversee all aspects of transportation, including vehicle assignments, route tracking, and performance monitoring.
- Enhanced Driver Training & Recruitment – Features an in-house training app that streamlines onboarding, leading to a 90% first-time pass rate for CDL exams.
- AI-Powered Safety Measures – Incorporates optional AI cameras to detect hazards, provide real-time alerts, and record key incidents to improve student safety.
- Real-Time Vehicle Tracking – Parents and school staff can monitor buses through the FirstView app, receiving live updates for better decision-making.
- Driver Performance & Recognition – Tracks and scores drivers, encouraging improvements through recognition and friendly competition.
- Predictive Maintenance – Uses analytics to forecast vehicle maintenance needs, reducing breakdowns and downtime.
- Optimized Electric Bus Charging – Ensures EVs charge efficiently, minimizing energy waste and maintaining fleet readiness.
- Student-Centered Vehicle Assignment – Matches students with the appropriate vehicle size for comfort and accessibility.
HALO sets a new industry standard by combining technology with operational insights, ensuring a safer, smarter, and more connected transportation experience for students and their communities.
VuDrive AI Telematics Camera Now Available on Geotab Marketplace
Jungo has announced that VuDrive, its AI-powered video telematics camera, is now available on the Geotab Marketplace, a leading platform for fleet management solutions. VuDrive offers AI alerts for distractions, mobile use, and seat belt compliance, providing high reliability and affordability for fleets of all sizes. Integrated with MyGEOTAB, it delivers actionable insights for safer and more efficient fleet operations. The system has been shown to reduce accidents by up to 30%, making it appealing to both fleet managers and insurers. Users praise VuDrive for its automatic driver recognition, AI-driven coaching, and live streaming capabilities.
PlaxidityX and Vodafone Automotive Partner to Combat High-Tech Car Theft
PlaxidityX, a leader in automotive cybersecurity, has announced a strategic partnership with Vodafone Automotive to tackle the growing threat of modern car theft. The collaboration integrates PlaxidityX’s AI-powered vDome anti-theft technology into Vodafone Automotive’s vehicle tracking solutions, enhancing protection against sophisticated hacking methods used by car thieves.
Car theft has surged globally, with criminals using electronic hacking tools to bypass security systems in seconds. In 2023, Canada reported over $1.5 billion in auto theft claims, while the U.S. saw over 1 million vehicles stolen, a 25% increase from previous years. This multi-billion-dollar crisis not only impacts car owners but also raises insurance costs and damages automakers’ reputations.
The vDome system detects unauthorized activities on a vehicle’s network, such as electronic manipulations to unlock doors or start the engine, and neutralizes theft attempts in real time. By integrating this technology, Vodafone Automotive strengthens its security offerings, providing drivers with greater protection and peace of mind.
“This partnership adds an extra layer of defense against advanced auto theft techniques,” said Vodafone Automotive CEO Gion Baker. PlaxidityX CEO Ronen Smoly emphasized that vDome helps secure vehicles against high-tech threats while easing the financial burden on car owners, manufacturers, and insurers.
Bluedot Joins Geotab Marketplace to Advance EV Fleet Management
Bluedot, a leader in EV fleet management, has integrated with the Geotab Marketplace and joined the Geotab Sustainability Alliance. This partnership enables fleet operators to access Bluedot’s advanced EV charging solutions, including automated payments, charging activity tracking, and home charging reimbursements, seamlessly within the Geotab ecosystem.
By combining Bluedot’s expertise in EV charging management with Geotab’s extensive fleet network, the collaboration aims to streamline fleet electrification and enhance operational efficiency. Fleet managers can now better track depot and home charging, optimize costs, and measure environmental impact.
The Geotab Sustainability Alliance focuses on supporting fleet sustainability by providing tools and resources to simplify EV adoption. Through this partnership, Bluedot and Geotab offer fleet operators a comprehensive solution for managing charging infrastructure and advancing their sustainability goals.
REE Automotive Partners with Geotab to Enhance Fleet Data and Performance
REE Automotive has announced a collaboration with Geotab to provide North American fleets with advanced telematics and fleet management solutions. Through this partnership, fleets purchasing REE’s SDV electric trucks will gain access to Geotab’s data-driven intelligence, optimizing vehicle performance and operations.
The integration of REEai Cloud with the Geotab network enables seamless monitoring of REE’s SDVs alongside other fleet vehicles, enhancing data quality and volume. Geotab’s compact GO platform processes key vehicle metrics, such as speed and range, delivering real-time insights to the cloud for improved fleet efficiency.
By combining REE’s innovative by-wire vehicle technology with Geotab’s telematics expertise, the partnership empowers fleet operators with actionable data, software updates, and customization options. This collaboration supports fleets in maximizing uptime, reducing costs, and streamlining the transition to electric vehicles.
Hyundai Motor CEO José Muñoz Holds Town Hall at Namyang R&D Center, Emphasizing Quality and Customer Focus
Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz held his first town hall with employees at the Namyang R&D Center since assuming his role. He highlighted the importance of direct communication, a customer-centric philosophy, and achieving the highest quality standards to navigate the evolving automotive industry. Muñoz shared insights from his leadership experience, emphasizing Hyundai’s commitment to beautifully designed, high-quality vehicles with cutting-edge technology. He praised the Namyang R&D Center’s contributions to Hyundai’s global success and called on employees to maintain excellence, humility, and a strong customer service mindset.
Daanaa Res. Inc. Zodiac with DC Optimization
Daanaa Resolution, Inc. has introduced Zodiac, an advanced power electronics solution designed to enhance the performance of PV modules. By embedding DC optimization, inversion, rapid shutdown, and diagnostics directly at the substring level, Zodiac eliminates the need for external power electronics. This innovation allows manufacturers to produce high-performing PV modules that deliver optimized, ready-to-use electricity while improving reliability and simplifying installation.
Unlike traditional PV systems, which are limited by the weakest-performing cell, Zodiac enables each substring to operate independently at its maximum potential. This approach boosts energy harvest by an average of 15% and up to 42% in shaded conditions, while also reducing system complexity and installation costs. With fewer connectors and failure points, Zodiac minimizes maintenance needs, lowers operational expenses, and enhances long-term system reliability.
Validated through independent analysis at IEEE PVSC, Zodiac prototypes are now available for evaluation. The system includes two key components: Virgo, which manages DC optimization, inversion, and diagnostics at the substring level, and Pandora, which aggregates AC power and facilitates communication with external systems. Integrated on the back of the PV panel with a single output connector, Zodiac offers a streamlined, efficient solution for the next generation of solar energy systems.
IonQ Develops Next-Generation Compact Ion Trap Vacuum Package for Quantum Computing
Summary: IonQ has completed a prototype for its next-generation ion trap vacuum package, enabling the development of smaller, room-temperature quantum systems. The company has also built a state-of-the-art assembly chamber capable of manufacturing miniaturized ion trap vacuum packages that achieve Extreme High Vacuum (XHV) levels, comparable to those on the Moon’s surface.
By eliminating the need for cryogenic vacuum systems, IonQ’s innovation significantly reduces energy consumption and computational costs while enhancing modularity and ease of maintenance. The new design supports the company’s goal of scalable, enterprise-grade quantum computing by simplifying system manufacturability, installation, and long-term operation.
IonQ’s advancements in XHV technology align with its broader efforts, including partnerships with NKT Photonics and imec to integrate photonic subsystems and develop chip-scale ion trap technology. This breakthrough marks a major step in making quantum computing more efficient, compact, and viable for real-world applications.
Polestar 3 Gains Apple Wallet Car Key Functionality
Polestar 3 owners can now unlock, lock, and start their vehicles using Apple Wallet, thanks to a new over-the-air (OTA) software update. The feature allows drivers to access their cars without removing their iPhone from their pocket or while wearing an Apple Watch.
Users can share digital car keys with up to five others via Messages, Mail, AirDrop, WhatsApp, and more, with customizable access levels. Additionally, the Power Reserve function ensures that the Apple Wallet key remains functional even when an iPhone requires charging.