Advancements in Automotive Technology: A Look at Recent Collaborations
Latest Developments in Connected Cars: Collaboration Announced Between Kia, myQ, onsemi, DENSO, STRADVISION, Renesas, Innowireless, Autotalks, TMA Automotive Software Center, MADD, HARMAN, and Mercedes-Benz
In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, partnerships and collaborations are driving innovation forward. Here's a roundup of some key alliances shaping the future of the industry.
Kia Embraces Smart Garage Technology
Kia Motor Corporation is set to introduce the Kia myQ Connected Garage system, following a digital services update in early 2024. The system will offer a three-month complimentary trial, providing remote garage control, geofencing automation, comprehensive monitoring, and enhanced security for select 2024 and 2025 vehicles.
STRADVISION and Renesas Team Up for ADAS Advancements
STRADVISION and Renesas Electronics have partnered to push the boundaries of AI-based automotive vision solutions. The collaboration aims to integrate STRADVISION's SVNet software with Renesas' R-Car system-on-chip platform, with the goal of developing affordable, high-performance Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies.
HARMAN Automotive Unveils Software Solutions
HARMAN Automotive has launched two innovative software products, Ready CQuence Loop and Ready Link Marketplace. These solutions are designed to streamline software development and enhance in-vehicle experiences, contributing to a smarter, safer, and more connected mobility landscape.
Partnerships Push Forward Autonomous Driving and ADAS Technologies
Several notable partnerships are focusing on advancing autonomous driving and ADAS technologies.
- General Motors and Hyundai Motor have co-developed five new vehicles for the Americas, with a strong emphasis on delivering safety-focused vehicles equipped with advanced technology. While the primary focus is vehicle development and scaling, it is expected to indirectly support technological advancements for safety systems, with the launch anticipated around 2028.
- Toyota, SoftBank, Eye-Net, and TechnoCo have collaborated on enhancing ADAS through vehicle-to-network (V2N) technology. This partnership aims to overcome the limitations of in-vehicle sensors by enabling vehicles to communicate with external networks—such as other vehicles and roadside infrastructure—providing more real-time, context-aware assistance and improving the accuracy and responsiveness of ADAS.
- Foresight Autonomous Holdings, through its subsidiaries including Eye-Net, works on both in-line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight vision systems as part of this collaboration, further advancing vehicle safety using cellular-based technologies.
- FPT and ATEC (a Japanese automotive software developer) have formed a strategic partnership to co-develop next-generation automotive software solutions focused on smarter, safer, and more connected mobility. This collaboration targets expanding AUTOSAR (a standardized automotive software architecture) and software-defined vehicle services, essential for advanced driver assistance, autonomous driving capabilities, and connected vehicle technologies.
- ECARX and Samsung Group have deepened their global strategic partnership to develop intelligent automotive solutions integrating Samsung's cutting-edge technologies (e.g., displays, high-speed memory) with ECARX's automotive intelligence products. This partnership focuses on creating an open technology ecosystem for automotive intelligence, robotics, AI, and aims to accelerate commercialization of intelligent vehicle solutions, including those relevant for advanced cockpits and potentially autonomous driving platforms.
Combatting Impaired Driving
Impaired driving remains a significant issue in the U.S., with drunk driving deaths rising by 33% since 2019. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has played a key role in the passage of the HALT Drunk Driving Act, requiring anti-drunk driving technology in new cars by 2024. The organisation has already saved over 475,000 lives.
MADD has partnered with Smart Start to combat impaired driving nationwide, with Smart Start contributing $50,000 to amplify MADD's mission. The partnership aims to prevent impaired driving, support victims, and amplify awareness campaigns.
Other Notable Partnerships
- onsemi and DENSO have expanded their partnership to advance autonomous driving and ADAS systems technologies. DENSO plans to acquire onsemi shares to solidify the partnership further.
- Innowireless has partnered with Autotalks to drive next-generation V2X innovation, focusing on developing next-generation V2X modules.
- TMA Automotive Software Center has unveiled a comprehensive suite of solutions to accelerate the development of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), including R&D prototyping, embedded software, model-based development, application optimization, and various testing methods.
- Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment to launch the RIDEVU app, offering streaming on up to six screens simultaneously and access to a vast catalog of movies. The app is compatible with the MBUX Entertainment Package Plus and Mercedes-Benz connect subscription, and supports mobile device access, content casting, and offline downloads.
These collaborations illustrate a multi-faceted industry trend toward combining expertise in vehicle manufacturing, software development, AI, V2X communications, and hardware integration to push forward advanced safety, autonomy, and connectivity in vehicles.
- Collaborations between industry leaders are not limited to automotive technology advancements; they also extend to finance, as MADD partnered with Smart Start to contribute $50,000 to combat impaired driving.
- Partnerships in the transportation sector are not exclusive to car manufacturers; tech companies like onsemi and DENSO are teaming up to develop autonomous driving and ADAS systems technologies, with DENSO even planning to acquire onsemi shares.
- The business of automotive technology transcends beyond the automotive industry; companies like HARMAN Automotive and software developers like AUTOSAR are partnering to expand software-defined vehicle services, essential for advanced driver assistance, autonomous driving capabilities, and connected vehicle technologies.
