Daimler AG and Qualcomm Technologies chose the backdrop of Monte Carlo on Grand Prix weekend to announce a new technology partnership.
Already linked through sponsorship of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team, the two firms will collaborate on the future of in-car mobile technologies and, more excitingly, wireless charging for the next wave of electric vehicles – successors to cars like the AMG SLS Electric Drive and B-class Electric Drive.
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Qualcomm has been developing wireless electric car charging for several years now, but the collaboration with Daimler suggests both firms are finding further ways to streamline the electric vehicle ownership experience.
Qualcomm’s Halo charging technology would allow electric car owners to charge their vehicles without having to physically plug in the car.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, head of research and development at Mercedes-Benz, explains that Mercedes must remain ‘on the cutting edge of technology’ to deliver unparalleled experiences to its customers. He adds that Mercedes is eager to explore possible fields of future cooperation with Qualcomm.
Standing next to an example of Mercedes’ latest Grand Prix car, Qualcomm Incorporated president Derek Aberle said, ‘As we started getting involved with the Formula One team, it’s been really remarkable to see the amount of technology that goes into these vehicles, and also the amount of work that goes into making the cars go faster.
‘We’ve got a big opportunity to work very closely with the F1 team and with Daimler to bring new technologies to the road vehicles too.’
Wireless technologies within vehicles will be the first stage – including wireless charging of smartphones to eliminate the need for plugging in your phone before every journey – before further developments with visual displays and safety technology.
The technology will help the F1 team itself, too – Qualcomm and Mercedes are already working on faster communication of the data between the car, its driver and engineers in the pitlane.
