In connected car news are Hyundai, Kia, Tenstorrent, Uber, UVeye, Subaru, ROHM, Sibros, Valeo and Kapsch.
In this Article
Hyundai/Kia Visison Pluse UWB ADAS
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have introduced Vision Pulse, an advanced driver safety technology that uses ultra-wide band (UWB) signals to precisely detect and track nearby objects in real time. By measuring signal travel time between UWB modules in vehicles and compatible devices carried by pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles, the system can pinpoint positions with up to 10-centimeter accuracy within a 100-meter radius, even in visually obstructed, nighttime, or adverse weather conditions.
Vision Pulse issues timely alerts to help prevent collisions and supports the development of advanced driver assistance features, while reducing reliance on costly sensors such as LiDAR and radar. Leveraging UWB’s high bandwidth, low interference, and rapid communication speeds (1–5 milliseconds), the technology delivers over 99 percent detection accuracy and remains cost-efficient by utilizing UWB hardware already present in vehicles equipped with Hyundai and Kia’s Digital Key 2.
Beyond passenger vehicles, Vision Pulse has broad potential applications in industrial safety and disaster response. Pilot programs are already underway in industrial environments, including Kia’s PBV Conversion Center and Busan Port Authority facilities. While still in pre-development, Vision Pulse signals a significant step toward safer, smarter mobility by enabling vehicles to “see” beyond the limits of human vision and traditional sensors.
Tenstorrent Joins the CHASSIS Program
Tenstorrent has joined the EU-backed CHASSIS program, a three-year international research initiative focused on advancing chiplet-based hardware platforms for software-defined vehicles. Working alongside a consortium of leading automotive, semiconductor, and research organizations led by Bosch, Tenstorrent will help develop scalable, high-performance automotive chiplet architectures that reduce development costs, improve reliability, and enable faster customization. The program marks Europe’s first major effort to establish an open, standardized chiplet ecosystem for automotive applications, supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking and multiple European governments.
Court Filings Expose Scale of Uber Sexual Misconduct
Newly revealed court documents show Uber received more than 400,000 reports of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2022—about one every eight minutes—mostly involving female victims and male drivers or riders. Uber’s own data identified recurring risk factors as early as 2018, including late-night trips, bar-area pickups, and intoxicated passengers. Although Uber tested a safety tool in Los Angeles that could predict some high-risk trips, internal documents later revealed flaws that allowed those trips to proceed without intervention, and some drivers with prior allegations remained active on the platform.
The disclosures have fueled a pending class-action lawsuit alleging Uber failed to properly screen drivers, address prior complaints, and implement available safety measures. The company also faces criticism over a 2025 California ballot initiative it supported that would cap attorney contingency fees, a move critics say could limit accident victims’ access to legal representation while shielding large corporations from accountability. While Uber has rolled out women-only driver requests in some cities, safety advocates are calling for broader reforms and nationwide measures to better protect riders.
UVeye Expands AI Vehicle Inspection @ 600 Subaru Retailers
UVeye has announced expanded support for more than 600 Subaru retailers across the U.S., making its AI-powered underbody, tire, and exterior inspection technology more accessible to Subaru service departments. The program offers automated, high-speed inspections, Subaru-specific onboarding and training, seamless billing compatibility, and integrations such as a direct connection with Tire Rack Wholesale for streamlined tire recommendations and purchases. Retailers also gain 360-degree imaging capabilities to enhance service transparency and sales documentation. Early-adopting Subaru dealers report improved efficiency, clearer vehicle condition insights, and smoother service and trade-in workflows.
ROHM Launches BD9xxN5 Series LDO Regulators / 500mA Output
ROHM Co., Ltd. has introduced the BD9xxN5 Series of LDO regulator ICs, featuring 500mA output and its proprietary Nano Cap™ ultra-stable control technology. Designed for 12V/24V primary power supply applications in automotive, industrial, and communication equipment, the series builds on ROHM’s 2022 BD9xxN1 Series by tripling output current while maintaining stable operation with small 470nF capacitors. The regulators deliver very low output voltage ripple—around 250mV under rapid load changes—enabling space savings, design flexibility, and reliable performance in high-density electronic devices.
Sibros Joins SOAFEE to Advance Open Standards for SDV
Sibros announced it has joined the SOAFEE (Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge) Special Interest Group, aligning with more than 120 companies working to establish open, cloud-native standards for software-defined vehicles. Founded by Arm, SOAFEE brings together automakers, chipmakers, cloud providers and software companies to address key SDV challenges, including software portability across hardware platforms, consistency between cloud and in-vehicle environments, and faster development cycles. Sibros said its participation reflects the close alignment between SOAFEE’s vision and its Deep Connected Platform, which enables over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics and data analytics across the full vehicle lifecycle. The company said it will contribute real-world deployment experience spanning passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, commercial fleets and off-highway equipment as it helps shape standards aimed at accelerating SDV adoption across the mobility industry.
Vehicles Could Avoid Hazardous Ice & Freezing Rain with New Sensors
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a pair of innovative sensors that can alert pilots, drivers, and automated systems to dangerous ice and freezing rain conditions before they lead to accidents. One sensor uses microwaves embedded in the surface of an aircraft to detect ice buildup directly, overcoming limitations of traditional protruding probes. The second uses infrared lasers to analyze incoming clouds and quickly determine whether they contain liquid droplets or ice, helping pilots avoid hazardous weather. When adapted for vehicles, this technology could also warn drivers about black ice on roads, potentially triggering safety systems or encouraging reduced speeds to significantly lower crash risk. The sensors were tested on both small and business jets, and results are detailed in Nature Scientific Reports. The project aims to improve safety for airplanes, drones, cars, and trucks facing icy conditions.
Valeo & Kapsch Partner on V2X-Based, Next-Gen Tolling
Valeo and Kapsch TrafficCom announced a strategic partnership to develop a real-time, secure, and automated tolling solution powered by vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. The system enables vehicles to communicate directly with tolling infrastructure, allowing frictionless toll transactions without relying solely on RFID tags or video systems. The companies will demonstrate the technology at the 5G Automotive Association meeting in Sacramento in early February 2026, using a Valeo autonomous vehicle equipped with a Cellular-V2X onboard unit. As the vehicle approaches a tolling point, it automatically initiates a secure transaction with a Kapsch roadside unit using PC5-based SAE J3217 message exchanges, with end-to-end security managed by Microsec credentials. The approach is designed to reduce infrastructure costs for toll operators, improve interoperability, and provide drivers with a seamless in-vehicle experience where tolling and payment information is displayed directly on the dashboard, positioning the vehicle itself as the payment device.