Global automotive supplier DENSO has developed the world's first integrated, in-vehicle wireless cell phone charger, in collaboration with Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions (PLDS). DENSO's Qi-compatible wireless cell phone charger will make its world debut in North America on the 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited as part of the available technology package. The wireless cell phone charger is manufactured at the company's DENSO Wireless Systems America facility, located in Vista Calif.
"Considering the increasing usage of smartphones in vehicle connectivity, we wanted to bring a convenient charging solution to consumers that eliminates cords and connections," said Bill Foy, vice president, Toyota Sales Group, DENSO International America, Inc. "Also, by utilizing our global network and collaborating with our partner PLDS, we were able to achieve a consumer electronics speed to market – which is always a challenge in the automotive industry."
DENSO was able to meet the rigorous demands of an automotive component in one-third the normal development time without compromising deliverables. With regards to automotive technology, typically it takes three to four years from time-of-conception to implementation; however, DENSO was able to achieve this in eight months.
The charger is designed to meet the global Qi standard, which was established to ensure compatibility between Qi-compatible phones and other electronics and chargers. Many future smartphones that will launch in 2013 and beyond will integrate a Qi-compatible chip to allow wireless charging without an added sleeve, which is currently necessary for phones that are not Qi compatible.
DENSO is committed to further the integration of consumer electronic technologies for all of our customers to provide safe and convenient driving experiences for drivers.
DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electric, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 35 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs over 120,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, totaled US$38.4 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9.5 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.
In North America, DENSO's consolidated sales totaled US$6.2 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. The North American DENSO Group employs more than 14,000 people at 28 consolidated companies and affiliates. Of these, 26 are manufacturing facilities located in the U.S, Canada and Mexico.
