In connected car news are HarmonEyes, Ettifos, STRADVISION, Arm, LG Chem, ZEISS, Opus IVS, Audi, Sony and Volkswagen.
In this Article
HarmonEyes Joins SDVerse
HarmonEyes, a pioneer in AI-driven eye-tracking technology, has joined SDVerse, the automotive industry’s first B2B software marketplace, to make its predictive driver monitoring and cognitive state detection tools available to OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. The partnership allows automakers to integrate HarmonEyes’ technology directly into next-generation vehicle architectures, advancing safety, personalization, and regulatory compliance.
Trained on a database of over 14 million eye-tracking records, HarmonEyes’ AI models can assess driver fatigue, cognitive load, and attention levels in real time—enabling proactive interventions to prevent accidents. Through SDVerse, manufacturers can now access scalable, plug-and-play driver state solutions that enhance both safety and in-vehicle experience.
HarmonEyes CEO Adam Gross said the collaboration will “bring predictive, more responsive driver safety solutions to vehicles at scale,” while SDVerse CEO Prashant Gulati emphasized that such technologies are becoming essential to meet evolving functional safety and regulatory standards in the automotive industry.
Ettifos V2X-AIR BABA-Compliant
Ettifos announced that its compact V2X-AIR on-board and aftermarket unit is now fully compliant with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Manufactured and assembled in Houston, Texas, the device meets U.S. federal standards for use in federally funded transportation and connected vehicle projects without waivers.
The V2X-AIR enables secure C-V2X communication for safety applications such as collision and work zone warnings and can be easily installed in passenger and commercial vehicles. With this milestone, Ettifos becomes one of the few companies offering a fully BABA-compliant V2X device, expanding opportunities for U.S. deployment, grant eligibility, and domestic supply chain growth. The announcement follows Ettifos’ Series B funding and expansion of its U.S. operations in San Jose, California.
STRADVISION Joins Arm’s SOAFEE Group
STRADVISION, a leader in AI-based perception software for ADAS and autonomous vehicles, has joined the Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge (SOAFEE) Special Interest Group led by Arm. The collaboration underscores STRADVISION’s commitment to open standards and accelerating software-defined vehicle (SDV) innovation.
SOAFEE unites over 150 partners to create scalable, cloud-native automotive software architectures based on Arm’s Neoverse and Cortex-A platforms. STRADVISION’s flagship product, SVNet, provides deep learning perception for object detection in diverse conditions and is used by major automakers and Tier 1 suppliers. Through SOAFEE, STRADVISION aims to help shape interoperable, safety-critical standards that enhance AI-driven perception, scalability, and security for next-generation mobility systems.
LG Chem & ZEISS Photopolymer Films
LG Chem and ZEISS have entered into a strategic partnership to supply advanced photopolymer films for holographic windshield displays (HWD) in future vehicles, targeting mass production for automakers by 2029.
Under the collaboration, LG Chem will provide high-performance photopolymer films as part of the ZEISS Microoptics Enabling Ecosystem, enabling windshields to function as transparent digital displays for navigation, driving data, and entertainment. LG Chem contributes expertise in polymer synthesis and coating, backed by more than 150 patents, while ZEISS brings deep experience in microoptics and holography.
The partnership aims to establish new standards for optical clarity, durability, and scalability in automotive display technology. Executives from both companies emphasized that the alliance goes beyond material supply—focusing on innovation, reliability, and the creation of next-generation in-vehicle display systems.
Opus IVS Intros CarDAQ-Pro Services Membership
Opus IVS has unveiled a new services membership bundle for its CarDAQ-Pro J2534 Pass-Thru device, offering independent repair shops direct access to IVS 360 Support Services — a network of more than 100 factory-trained Dealer Master Technicians — through a monthly subscription.
The new program integrates Opus IVS’s advanced hardware with real-time remote diagnostic support, allowing shops to complete complex OEM-level programming and repairs in-house. Members receive on-demand expert guidance, VIN-specific cases, and free Diagnostic Network Premium access for data and community insights.
According to CEO Brian Herron, the bundle represents “the next evolution of the CarDAQ platform,” transforming the traditional pass-thru tool into a connected, service-first ecosystem. The CarDAQ-Pro hardware supports the latest DoIP and CAN FD protocols, ensuring compatibility with modern vehicle reprogramming and security systems.
Designed to help repairers retain more diagnostic work and improve efficiency, the CarDAQ-Pro Services Bundle debuts at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas with special launch pricing and a free first-month offer.
Audi Micro-LED Digital Matrix Headlights in Q3
Audi has unveiled its most advanced lighting technology yet in the new Q3, introducing digital matrix LED headlights powered by micro-LED technology — a first for the compact SUV segment. Each 13-millimetre module houses a chip with 25,600 individually controlled micro-LEDs, allowing the headlights to project adaptive light patterns and even symbols directly onto the road.
Functioning like a video projector, the system dynamically adjusts illumination based on driving conditions. It can project guidance lines to help drivers stay centred in their lane and display “lane light” illumination that adapts on highways and during lane changes, with turn signals integrated into the projected pattern. The system also prevents glare by automatically dimming specific light zones for oncoming traffic.
Beyond improved visibility, the headlights can display safety warnings — such as a snowflake icon when temperatures drop — and offer personalised light signatures and animations via Audi’s MMI interface. According to Audi lighting chief Michael Kruppa, the micro-LED array delivers higher contrast, lower energy use and lighter components than previous systems, marking a major step in the digitalisation of vehicle lighting.
Audi says the innovation reflects its broader goal of using intelligent, adaptive illumination to enhance safety not only for drivers but also for pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife.
Sony Unveils IMX828 with MIPI A-PHY Interface
Sony Semiconductor Solutions has introduced the IMX828, the first automotive CMOS image sensor to integrate a MIPI A-PHY interface directly onto the chip—eliminating the need for external serialiser components and paving the way for more compact, energy-efficient vehicle camera systems.
The 8-megapixel, 1/1.7-type sensor achieves an industry-leading dynamic range of 150 dB and saturation up to 47,000 cd/m², maintaining accurate color reproduction of bright objects such as red traffic lights even under intense sunlight. Designed for reliability in extreme environments, it performs stably up to 125°C and includes a low-power parking surveillance mode consuming under 100 mW.
Developed in collaboration with Mobileye, the IMX828 features a dual-HDR capture mode that simultaneously records two exposure levels to enhance low-light visibility and reduce motion blur—crucial for advanced driver-assistance and computer vision systems. Built-in security functions enable image verification, anti-tampering protection, and authenticated communication under the ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity framework.
Scheduled for sample shipment in November 2025, the IMX828 is expected to meet AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and ISO 26262 ASIL-D standards. Sony says the innovation underscores its commitment to advancing next-generation automotive imaging through flexible, open-standard interface technologies.
Volkswagen Surpasses 2M Car2X
Volkswagen announced that it has produced over two million vehicles equipped with Car2X technology, a vehicle-to-everything communication system that enhances road safety by enabling cars and infrastructure to exchange real-time hazard warnings within an 800-metre radius. Using the WiFi-p standard, Car2X alerts drivers to accidents, roadworks, congestion, and approaching emergency vehicles—without relying on mobile networks.
The system acts as a “virtual sensor,” supplementing onboard cameras and radar to improve driver assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control and lane changes. Infrastructure integration is expanding rapidly across Europe, with Germany’s Autobahn GmbH fitting more than 1,000 roadworks trailers with Car2X modules, and similar installations underway in Austria, Italy, Spain, and other EU nations.
Volkswagen says Car2X supports its “Vision Zero” goal of eliminating serious road accidents and represents a major step toward safer, cooperative mobility. The technology is standard on the ID.7 and available in models including the Golf, Tiguan, Passat, and ID.4. Volkswagen’s leadership in connected mobility helped earn it the 2025 AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award for the most innovative volume brand.