In connected car news are SoundHound AI, Silicon Motion, Verra Mobility, GreenSpark, Mistral AI, Qorix, Qualcomm and Infineon.
SoundHound AI Introduces Customizable “Brand Personalities” for In-Vehicle Assistants
SoundHound AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOUN) has launched “Brand Personalities,” a groundbreaking feature for its SoundHound Chat AI Automotive voice assistant, making it the first in-vehicle assistant with customizable personas. Automakers can tailor voice assistant personalities to reflect their brand identity, enhancing user engagement and loyalty. With the ability to define multiple personas for different vehicle types, this innovation integrates seamlessly with generative AI capabilities, car controls, and real-time services like navigation and weather. The feature allows OEMs to create distinct brand expressions, offering a more personalized and immersive driving experience.
Silicon Motion Becomes First SSD Controller Vendor to Achieve ASPICE CL3 Certification
Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO), a global leader in NAND flash controllers for solid-state storage, has become the world’s first SSD controller vendor to achieve ASPICE Capability Level 3 (CL3) certification. Assessed by UL Solutions, this milestone underscores the company’s ability to implement standardized workflows and process management at an organizational level.
As software-defined and autonomous vehicles evolve, ensuring software quality in automotive storage is more critical than ever. Nelson Duann, Senior VP of Client & Automotive Storage Business, emphasized that this certification reaffirms Silicon Motion’s commitment to meeting the highest industry standards while continuing to innovate in automotive-grade SSD solutions.
Silicon Motion’s proprietary firmware delivers superior durability, performance, and power efficiency, meeting stringent global standards such as AEC-Q100, IATF 16949, ISO 21434, and ISO 26262 ASIL B. The company’s dedication to quality, safety, and efficiency positions it as a key player in the future of automotive storage solutions.
Verra Mobility School Bus Safety in NY
Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) has partnered with Onondaga County, New York, to launch an advanced school bus stop arm safety program aimed at protecting students and reducing illegal traffic violations around school buses. The initiative will equip more than 500 school buses with high-tech stop arm safety cameras that automatically capture and document vehicles that fail to stop when school buses extend their stop arms. This evidence will assist law enforcement in enforcing traffic laws and holding violators accountable.
A study by the New York Association for Pupil Transportation found that drivers illegally pass stopped school buses an average of five times per day per bus, creating a significant risk to students. The program will be rolled out across six school districts, covering more than 20,000 students across 40 schools. The participating districts include Baldwinsville, East Syracuse Minoa, Fabius-Pompey, Jamesville-Dewitt, Liverpool, and North Syracuse. Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II, emphasized the county’s commitment to ensuring student safety and making local roads safer by implementing this initiative.
The program will leverage artificial intelligence for enhanced camera performance, even in Syracuse’s extreme weather conditions, and will include a public education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. Verra Mobility’s Bus Safety Division general manager, Belinda Olivares, highlighted that this initiative is not just about technology but about fostering a culture of safety, changing driver behavior, and ultimately saving lives. The program will be funded entirely through violation citations, requiring no upfront cost from the county or school districts.
New York law mandates fines starting at $250 for passing a stopped school bus, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Once a violation is recorded, video evidence will be reviewed and approved by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office before citations are issued. Previous implementations of Verra Mobility’s stop arm safety program have resulted in a 98% compliance rate among drivers after receiving a citation and a 50% reduction in overall violations. The program is expected to launch in the 2025/2026 school year, with a 30-day awareness campaign before enforcement begins.
BMW i Ventures Invests in GreenSpark
BMW i Ventures announced an investment in GreenSpark Software, a New York City-based company developing modern operating software for the metal recycling industry. Existing investors Zero Infinity Partners and Third Prime also participated in the funding round. The investment will allow GreenSpark to accelerate its product development, expand into larger enterprise markets, and drive innovation in an industry that has long lacked advanced technology solutions.
The metal recycling sector, valued at over $120 billion, plays a vital role in the circular economy but has historically been underserved by intuitive software to streamline operations, logistics, and financial management. GreenSpark’s platform leverages cutting-edge technology to optimize every stage of the recycled metals value chain, enhancing profitability for operators while promoting sustainability.
BMW i Ventures emphasized its commitment to the circular economy with this investment. Baris Guzel, a partner at BMW i Ventures, praised GreenSpark’s impact on the industry, highlighting its role in improving efficiency, reducing costs, and advancing sustainability.
Over the past year, GreenSpark has more than tripled its customer base and introduced AI-powered solutions that transform how recycling businesses operate. Gordon Driscoll, Co-Founder and CEO of GreenSpark, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the company remains dedicated to providing customers with the most efficient software experience in the industry. With this latest investment, GreenSpark aims to further enhance its technology and expand its reach in the recycling and automotive sectors.
Stellantis Expands AI Partnership with Mistral AI
Stellantis N.V. is deepening its collaboration with Mistral AI to integrate artificial intelligence across multiple areas, including vehicle engineering, in-car experiences, and enterprise operations. The partnership leverages Mistral AI’s expertise in large language models and automation to enhance data analysis, streamline development, and improve customer interaction.
A key focus of the collaboration is the development of an advanced in-car assistant, allowing drivers to interact with their vehicles using natural language. This AI-powered system will provide real-time, conversational support for understanding vehicle features, troubleshooting, and responding to warning indicators. The assistant will be continuously updated and adaptable across Stellantis brands and models.
Beyond the in-car assistant, Stellantis and Mistral AI are implementing AI-driven innovations, including:
- Bill of Materials (BOM) Data Intelligence: An AI-powered tool to streamline component analysis, helping engineers optimize part selections.
- Vehicle Feedback Data Analysis: AI-driven automation to process fleet data and customer feedback, identifying trends and improving product quality.
- “Club Stellantis” Virtual Assistant: A multilingual chatbot assisting employees in France with company vehicle purchases, with plans to expand across Europe.
- AI-Driven Anomaly Detection: Edge computing models detecting manufacturing defects in real time, enhancing quality control.
Stellantis Chief Engineering & Technology Officer Ned Curic praised Mistral AI’s ability to drive meaningful results, while Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch highlighted the partnership as a step toward making generative AI more valuable and accessible.
Qorix and Qualcomm Partner to Advance SDV
Qorix, a global provider of automotive middleware solutions, has announced a technology collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to accelerate the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The partnership integrates Qorix’s middleware with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms, including the Snapdragon Ride and Snapdragon Cockpit platforms, providing scalable and high-performance solutions for automakers and suppliers.
The collaboration aims to address key system integration challenges by streamlining development, minimizing complexity, and supporting long-term adaptability. By offering pre-integrated hardware and software stacks, the partnership allows automotive manufacturers to accelerate the transition from concept to production while ensuring functional safety and security.
Executives from both companies emphasized the benefits of this alliance, highlighting the ability to equip OEMs and tier-1 suppliers with advanced, future-ready solutions. This partnership reinforces a shared commitment to innovation, providing a foundation for the rapid evolution of next-generation automotive systems.
Infineon Expands OPTIREG PMIC Portfolio
Infineon Technologies AG has introduced the OPTIREG PMIC TLF35585, a multi-rail power management solution designed for demanding automotive applications. The new PMIC provides a reliable power supply for AURIX and other microcontrollers, ensuring robust system performance in safety-critical areas such as chassis, powertrain, domain control, and transmission.
The TLF35585 features a boost buck pre-regulator, multiple post-regulator rails, and voltage trackers for off-board sensors. Key supervision functions include configurable watchdogs, voltage monitoring, and error detection, supporting compliance with ISO 26262 for ASIL D systems. With a wide operating temperature range and optimized efficiency, the TLF35585 is ideal for harsh automotive environments. Available in compact thermally enhanced packages, it meets AEC-Q100 Grade 0 standards, offering automakers a high-performance and flexible power management solution.