auto connected car news
In connected car news are Seeing Machines, Volkswagen, Rivian, LG, Xbox, Zoom, Qualcomm, Wolfspeed, Pirelli, Aston Martin, HERE and AWS.
Seeing Machines announced a major upgrade to its Driver Monitoring System (DMS), adding the ability to detect alcohol-related driver impairment in addition to distraction and drowsiness. The technology, already deployed in more than 3.7 million cars and 60,000 trucks, now meets European NCAP standards for alcohol detection and is positioned to help align U.S. policy with global safety regulations.
The system can identify impairment at blood alcohol levels starting at .05 BAC, with peak accuracy above .10 BAC—critical given that two-thirds of fatal alcohol-related crashes involve drivers at .15 BAC or higher. Demonstrated at a MADD memorial event in Washington, D.C., the capability shows how vehicles equipped with hands-free driving aids can also detect if a driver is drunk.
Seeing Machines has proposed a phased roadmap for DMS adoption: from alerting impaired drivers to pulling over, to activating stronger vehicle safety responses, and eventually limiting driving functions in a “limp home mode.” The company emphasized that the technology is ready today—making drunk-driving prevention a matter of policy rather than capability.
At the 4th Semiconductor Summit during IAA Mobility in Munich, Volkswagen Group unveiled a new procurement model with Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies to jointly source more than 50 categories of semiconductors. The initiative reflects the Group’s push to strengthen supply resilience, expand partnerships, and support its goal of becoming a global automotive tech leader. With semiconductors now central to electrification, safety, and user experience—growing from 30 chips in the first Golf to 18,000 in the ID.7—the Group is pursuing a proactive approach that emphasizes transparency, supply chain tracking, and collaborative relationships with chipmakers. By combining Rivian’s software-defined vehicle expertise with Volkswagen’s scale, the joint venture aims to streamline sourcing, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation. The Summit brought together industry leaders, suppliers, and researchers under the theme “Past-Proven. Future-Driven.” to reinforce collaboration between the automotive and semiconductor sectors.
At IAA MOBILITY 2025, LG Electronics unveiled major updates to its webOS-based Automotive Content Platform (ACP), positioning vehicles as software-driven hubs for entertainment and productivity. The company announced partnerships with Xbox and Zoom, enabling immersive in-car cloud gaming and mobile collaboration directly from vehicle infotainment systems.
With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, passengers will be able to stream hundreds of titles—from Forza Horizon 5 to Doom: The Dark Ages—while Zoom integration transforms cars into connected meeting spaces, balancing convenience with safety-focused user design.
Building on webOS’s global success across 240 million smart TVs, LG ACP brings streaming services, apps, and new content partnerships into vehicles, with a goal of reaching 20 million vehicles by 2030. As part of LG’s SDV suite AlphaWare, ACP aims to redefine the in-cabin experience, turning vehicles into “living spaces on wheels” that seamlessly blend entertainment, work, and travel.
WITTENSTEIN high integrity systems (WHIS) announced a collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to integrate its ISO 26262 safety-certified SAFERTOS® real-time operating system into the R52 cores of the Snapdragon® Digital Chassis™ safety island. The partnership delivers a high-performance, safety-critical foundation for advanced infotainment, digital cockpits, ADAS, and automated driving applications.
SAFERTOS®, known for its deterministic execution and efficiency in safety-critical environments, complements the Snapdragon Digital Chassis’ high computational power and optimized software framework, enabling developers to build compliant, secure, and reliable in-vehicle systems.
Automotive developers can trial the solution through WHIS’s website, with extended evaluation packages available. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing safety and performance as vehicles evolve into more software-defined, intelligent platforms.
Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: WOLF) has commercially launched its 200mm silicon carbide (SiC) materials products, a key step in driving the industry’s shift from silicon to SiC. Following strong customer feedback from initial releases, Wolfspeed is now offering both 200mm bare wafers and epitaxy for immediate qualification. These products deliver improved quality, scalability, and parametric performance, enabling higher yields and faster time-to-market for power devices across automotive, renewable energy, and industrial sectors. The 200mm SiC wafers feature enhanced doping and thickness uniformity, setting new standards for efficiency and competitiveness. The company emphasizes that this milestone reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing SiC technology and supporting next-generation power electronics.
Pirelli and Aston Martin have announced a collaboration to equip future Aston Martin vehicles with Pirelli’s Cyber™ Tyre system, the world’s first tire-embedded sensor technology that communicates directly with a car’s electronic systems. Developed in partnership with Bosch Engineering, Cyber™ Tyre uses sensors inside the tire tread to collect real-time data, which is processed by Pirelli’s proprietary algorithms and transmitted to the vehicle’s electronic control unit. This integration enhances core systems such as ABS, ESP, and traction control, optimizing driving dynamics and performance. The partnership underscores both brands’ commitment to innovation in ultra-luxury sports cars, marking a significant step in blending tire intelligence with vehicle dynamics.
At IAA Munich on September 11, 2025, Giraffevision Chairman Zhang Tao spoke on the theme “Making Driving Safer with Head-Up Displays.” He emphasized the company’s mission to enhance automotive safety and human-machine interaction through advanced HUD technology.
Zhang identified three forces driving rapid HUD adoption in China: heightened safety demands, the shift toward intelligent mobility, and reduced production costs. He also highlighted global opportunities for HUD deployment and the role of intelligent cockpit technologies in redefining driver-vehicle trust.
Giraffevision, a leader in visual interaction systems, has built extensive experience supporting OEM partners with R&D and tailored solutions. The company plans to expand its global supply chain, adapt to regional driving habits, and deliver safer, smarter, and more engaging driving experiences. Its goal is to bring intelligent visual solutions to more users, making every journey safer through innovation.
Quectel Wireless Solutions has unveiled four new GNSS antennas, broadening its portfolio to meet diverse precision navigation needs. The lineup includes:
These antennas are engineered to pair seamlessly with Quectel’s latest RTK GNSS modules—including the LC29H, LG290P, and flagship LG580P—and supported by the company’s global RTK correction service powered by 21,000+ base stations worldwide. Together, they deliver centimeter-level accuracy and scalable solutions for industries like automotive, logistics, agriculture, robotics, and ADAS.
Quectel is also offering custom antenna design support and regional R&D services to help engineers and developers integrate these solutions quickly and reliably. The new products will be showcased at Nepcon Vietnam at booth S26 in I.C.E. Hanoi, alongside demonstrations of Quectel’s complete GNSS ecosystem.
Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: WOLF), a leader in silicon carbide (SiC) technology, has officially launched its 200mm SiC materials products for commercial availability, following strong customer adoption during initial offerings. The company is also introducing 200mm SiC epitaxy for immediate qualification, designed to deliver scalability, improved quality, and enhanced performance for next-generation power devices.
The 200mm SiC bare wafers feature 350µm thickness and industry-leading doping and thickness uniformity, while the epitaxy layer improves MOSFET yields and accelerates time-to-market. These advancements enable more efficient, high-performance solutions across automotive, renewable energy, industrial, and other fast-growing applications.
Chief Business Officer Dr. Cengiz Balkas emphasized that the launch goes beyond a simple wafer size increase, representing a breakthrough in materials innovation that strengthens customer confidence and competitiveness. Wolfspeed views this milestone as both a scaling achievement and a continuation of its mission to drive the industry-wide transition from silicon to silicon carbide, setting the foundation for the future of efficient power conversion.
HERE Technologies and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have introduced SDV Accelerator, a curated platform designed to speed up the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Building on their 2022 collaboration, the initiative offers automakers a complete reference architecture, sample code, and a suite of AWS services and partner solutions via AWS Marketplace.
The program addresses industry challenges such as fragmented development, outdated supply chains, and lack of standardization. By streamlining integration, SDV Accelerator enables automakers, suppliers, and independent software vendors (ISVs) to focus on innovation across areas like ADAS, in-vehicle infotainment, and EV range management.
Key features include:
Executives from AWS and HERE emphasized that SDV Accelerator empowers automakers to reduce integration bottlenecks, accelerate time-to-market, and maintain control of their technology stack while embracing collaboration and innovation.
Valens Semiconductor & Samsung Partner in MIPI A-PHY
Valens Semiconductor announced that Samsung is backing the MIPI A-PHY standard for high-speed in-vehicle sensor connectivity and will partner with Valens to co-develop next-generation A-PHY products. The collaboration leverages Samsung Foundry’s advanced automotive FinFET process and Valens’ leadership in A-PHY chipsets, aiming to meet growing OEM demand for reliable, high-performance solutions in ADAS and autonomous driving.
The companies share a history of collaboration, including early investment ties and co-founding the HDBaseT Alliance. With Samsung’s support, A-PHY continues to gain traction across the automotive industry, adding momentum to Valens’ recent design wins with European OEMs and backing from Mobileye.
As the first industry standard for high-speed in-vehicle connectivity, MIPI A-PHY is building a robust ecosystem of adopters. Together, Samsung and Valens plan to accelerate its adoption, delivering cutting-edge automotive solutions that enhance safety, reliability, and performance in next-generation mobility.
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