In connected car news are Google, Volvo, FocalPoint, STMicroelectronics, Red Hat, Stellantis, Toyoda, Leopard Imaging, Qualcomm, Mercedes & Uber.
Volvo 1st Google’s Gemini AI Integration
Following Google’s major Gemini AI announcements at its I/O conference, Volvo revealed it will be the first automaker to integrate the chatbot into its full lineup of vehicles. Expanding on its existing partnership with Google, Volvo will embed Gemini into cars using Android Automotive OS, enabling drivers to engage in more natural, conversational voice interactions for tasks like navigation, translation, and vehicle support.
The integration aims to reduce drivers’ “cognitive load” and enhance in-car usability, marking a shift from Google Assistant’s rigid commands to Gemini’s fluid, AI-powered dialogue. While Gemini will be available in Android Auto vehicles within weeks, Android Automotive vehicles like Volvo’s will receive it later this year.
Volvo will also become a reference platform for Google’s automotive tech development, gaining early access to future features. This deepened collaboration reflects both companies’ push to make AI a foundational element of the connected car experience.
FocalPoint and STMicroelectronics GNSS Accuracy
UK-based software firm FocalPoint has announced a strategic collaboration with global semiconductor leader STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) to deliver enhanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) performance for the automotive sector. This partnership will see FocalPoint’s S-GNSS® Auto software, powered by its proprietary Supercorrelation™ technology, integrated into ST’s high-performance Teseo GNSS chips.
The combined solution significantly improves location accuracy and reliability—especially in challenging environments such as urban canyons and forested areas—making it a key advancement for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and hands-free driving capabilities. The S-GNSS® Auto software will be available as a simple firmware update, providing OEMs a cost-effective and easily adoptable upgrade.
This collaboration builds on FocalPoint’s recent strategic investment from GM Ventures and its partnership with General Motors (NYSE: GM). Key results show up to a 4x improvement in measurement accuracy and 3x improvement in position accuracy.
Executives from both companies emphasized that the integration sets a new benchmark for navigation systems and helps automotive manufacturers advance toward safer autonomous vehicle deployment.
Red Hat Expands Ecosystem In-Vehicle OS
Red Hat, the global leader in open source solutions, has announced a major expansion of its partner ecosystem to support the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System (IVOS). This initiative brings together top-tier silicon providers, middleware vendors, software developers, and systems integrators to pre-integrate key technologies on Red Hat’s automotive platform. The goal is to streamline development and deployment of next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
As the automotive industry shifts to software-centric architectures, Red Hat is fostering targeted, strategic collaborations to meet the increasing complexity and safety demands of modern vehicle systems. The company is enabling faster design cycles, improved integration, and enhanced support for safety-critical applications through its ecosystem approach.
Partners including Arm, Intel, LG Electronics, NXP, DXC, Qt Group, and others are working with Red Hat to create scalable, modular, and safety-certified vehicle platforms. The announcement highlights Red Hat’s recent achievement of functional safety certification for IVOS and underscores its role in transforming cars into dynamic, software-powered platforms.
The initiative was formally presented at Red Hat Summit, where the company emphasized the transformative potential of open source in the automotive sector and the growing importance of collaboration to bring safer, smarter, and more flexible mobility solutions to market.
Leopard Imaging Advanced AI Cameras with Qualcomm
Leopard Imaging Inc., a leader in embedded vision technologies, will showcase its latest AI-powered camera solutions at the 2025 Embedded Vision Summit. Highlighting integrations with Qualcomm’s RB3 Gen 2 and Ride 4 platforms, the demos will target key markets such as robotics, AIoT, automotive, and autonomous systems.
Featured products include the LI-IMX676-FLEX-105H, a 12MP camera optimized for real-time 3D vision and low-power operation, and the LI-OX03F10-VS775S, a high-performance automotive camera designed for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Both cameras leverage Qualcomm’s powerful edge AI platforms to deliver high-resolution imaging, multi-camera support, and robust sensor fusion for real-world applications.
With pre-integrated development kits, support for popular AI frameworks, and seamless deployment workflows, Leopard Imaging aims to accelerate innovation and time-to-market for vision-enabled products. Live demonstrations will take place at Booth #700, May 21–22, at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Stellantis $388M Metro Detroit Megahub
Stellantis has announced a $388 million investment to construct a state-of-the-art Metro Detroit Megahub in Van Buren Township, Michigan, set to open in 2027. The new facility will serve as a central hub for Mopar service parts distribution, using advanced AutoStore robotics to enhance order speed, accuracy, and sustainability.
Replacing several existing facilities through consolidation, the Megahub will integrate operations from parts distribution centers in Center Line, Marysville, Milwaukee, Warren, and Warren Sherwood, transitioning approximately 488 UAW-represented employees to the new site. The automated system will streamline storage and shipment, improving delivery times and operational efficiency.
This initiative supports Stellantis’ long-term strategy to modernize its U.S. parts distribution network and follows $120 million in recent Mopar infrastructure investments under the 2023 UAW contract. The Megahub reflects a broader push toward innovation, sustainability, and workforce support in the company’s North American operations.
Mercedes-Benz New Atlanta North American HQ and R&D Hub
Mercedes-Benz has announced a major expansion of its North American operations by relocating up to 500 corporate roles from Farmington Hills, Michigan, to its 1MB facility in Sandy Springs, Georgia, officially designating Atlanta as its North American headquarters. The move includes a multi-million dollar investment in a new Research & Development hub in Metro Atlanta, consolidating teams from across the U.S. to enhance agility, innovation, and customer experience. With completion expected by August 2026, this strategic shift deepens the company’s roots in Georgia, leverages local engineering talent, and supports its broader U.S. growth—building on its long-standing commitment, including $10 billion in national investments and over 163,000 supported jobs.
Toyoda Gosei Breakthrough Recycled Plastic for Automotive
Toyoda Gosei has developed a world-first recycled plastic technology that uses 50% material from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) to produce high-performance automotive parts, starting with the Toyota Camry. Unlike conventional recycling methods that often result in lower-quality materials, this innovation meets the same standards as new plastics, even for impact-resistant components like glove boxes. Developed in collaboration with Isono Co., Ltd., the technology leverages advanced material modification to enable horizontal recycling, significantly reducing CO2 emissions—up to 40% per part. This advancement supports Toyoda Gosei’s 2030 Business Plan focused on decarbonization and positions the company to meet upcoming EU regulations requiring recycled plastic use in vehicles by 2031.
Uber Freight AI-Powered Logistics Network
Uber Freight has launched the logistics industry’s first scaled AI network, built around its proprietary logistics-specific large language model (LLM). Embedded within Uber Freight’s transportation management system (TMS), the AI platform aims to revolutionize how shippers operate—by enabling faster decisions, automated workflows, and intelligent disruption management.
The reimagined TMS includes over 30 AI agents automating tasks across the shipment lifecycle—from procurement to payment—while “Insights AI” provides always-on, data-driven recommendations. By the end of 2025, Uber Freight plans to fully evolve the TMS into a real-time command center capable of managing complex supply chains proactively.
Early adoption by enterprise customers like Colgate-Palmolive has demonstrated the system’s ability to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making across global networks. Already, over $1.6 billion in freight has moved through Uber Freight’s AI infrastructure, backed by insights from nearly $20 billion in managed freight data.
This launch positions Uber Freight at the forefront of AI-driven logistics, redefining how data and automation can transform one of the world’s most intricate industries.