In connected car news are Panasonic, Linux Foundation, Zubie, Bosch & Toshiba
Panasonic Joins Linux Foundation as Gold Member
Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (PAS) has joined the Linux Foundation as a Gold Member, reinforcing its commitment to open source collaboration in the automotive sector. As a global Tier 1 supplier, PAS provides advanced technologies like infotainment systems and has integrated Linux into its products since 2006. The company plays a key role in initiatives like the Software Defined Vehicle Expert Group within Automotive Grade Linux. By joining the Foundation, PAS aims to expand its open source contributions and support the development of safer, more innovative software-defined vehicles worldwide.
Zubie & Bosch Partner 4 Smoke Detection in Rentals
Zubie, a leader in car rental telematics, and Bosch, the world’s largest mobility technology provider, have announced a strategic collaboration to integrate Bosch’s RideCare smoke detection technology into Zubie’s telematics platform. This partnership aims to enhance fleet transparency, improve customer experience, and increase profitability for rental car operators.
The RideCare smoke detection system, powered by an AI-enabled sensor box, provides real-time, geolocated data on in-vehicle smoking events. Proven to reduce smoking incidents by up to 90%, the system enables rental companies to maintain cleaner vehicles and better enforce non-smoking policies, with operators recovering up to $1,200 per vehicle annually.
The sensor is easy to install and integrates seamlessly into Zubie’s platform, offering insights through dashboards and API connections. This solution not only promotes vehicle cleanliness and customer trust but also provides data-backed justification for smoking-related fees, increasing accountability.
Together, Zubie and Bosch are setting a new standard in fleet management by combining advanced sensor technology with powerful fleet analytics—driving innovation and efficiency across the rental car industry.
Toshiba Launches High-Speed, AEC-Q100 Qualified Digital Isolators
Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH has introduced its first lineup of ten AEC-Q100 qualified, 4-channel digital isolators under the DCM34xx0 series. Designed for use in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle systems like on-board chargers and battery management systems, these devices feature high common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) of 100kV/μs and data rates up to 50Mbps. Utilizing Toshiba’s proprietary magnetic coupling technology, the isolators ensure robust noise resistance and stable signal control. With flexible channel configurations and low pulse-width distortion, they’re also suited for non-automotive applications such as SPI-based I/O interfaces. The devices are available in SOIC-16W packages and support operating temperatures from -40°C to 125°C.