In connected car news are Wolfspeed, MIPI Alliance, Aptiv, Car Connectivity Consortium, PrePass, HAAS Alert, Diodes, Schaeffler, Sonatus, SAKURA, AECC and Aeva.
In this Article
Wolfspeed Introduces Fifth-Generation Silicon Carbide MOSFET Architecture
Wolfspeed has launched its Gen 5 silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET technology platform, targeting next-generation 1200 V and 750 V automotive and industrial power electronics applications. The fifth-generation planar architecture achieves up to a 27 percent reduction in specific on-resistance (RSP) compared to existing commercially available competitive 1200 V components. Optimized for traction inverters, solid-state circuit breakers, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the technology is designed to minimize conduction and switching losses while expanding system-level current capacity within standard footprints.
Technical specifications for the initial product line feature a 175 degrees Celsius chip-level RSP of 3.4 mΩ-cm2 for the 1200 V node (QEM50120-25D10) and 2.0 mΩ-cm2 for the 750 V node (QEM50075-025D10). The platform maintains an ultra-low RDS(ON) distribution variance of +/- 18 percent across both nodes, reducing required system design margins. Reliability enhancements include an elevated continuous junction temperature threshold of 200 degrees Celsius (215 degrees Celsius limited life) alongside a soft body diode configuration that lowers reverse recovery charge and minimizes overall switching energy losses.
Production and qualification of Gen 5 components utilize Wolfspeed’s 200 mm device fabrication facility in Mohawk Valley, New York. The technology utilizes existing manufacturing toolsets to provide automotive and industrial OEMs with a low-risk migration path from development to high-volume manufacturing. Engineering samples of the initial 750 V and 1200 V discrete parts are available to select customers, with additional product variants scheduled to launch throughout 2026 and early 2027 to match finalized market requirements.
MIPI Alliance Demonstrates First Multi-Vendor A-PHY Automotive SerDes Interoperability
The MIPI Alliance completed the automotive industry’s first four-company interoperability demonstration of a high-speed SerDes system at AutoSens USA. The demonstration utilized the MIPI A-PHY standard to showcase functional integration between hardware solutions from Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Southchip Semiconductor Technology, Valens Semiconductor, and Velinktech.
During the technical exhibition, the four network providers deployed individual transmitter configurations that successfully extended nearly 8Gbps of data from 8MP image sensors over a 15-meter cable run. The aggregated high-speed data streams terminated at a centralized Valens Semiconductor deserializer infrastructure. The cross-vendor testing verified the long-reach reliability and noise immunity of the standardized interface architecture within unified physical layer configurations.
The joint validation followed the launch of the MIPI A-PHY Compliance Program, which established standardized testing protocols for verifying specification compliance across member hardware portfolios. Industry deployment of the A-PHY SerDes solution expanded across centralized Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Automated Driving Systems, and Software-Defined Vehicle compute architectures, providing automotive manufacturers with expanded supply chain flexibility and validated multi-vendor hardware compatibility.
Aptiv Launched Camera-Only Advanced Occupancy Classification Software Solution
Aptiv PLC introduced its Advanced Occupancy Classification system, establishing the automotive industry’s first occupant detection solution reliant solely on an in-cabin camera matrix. The vision-based software platform replaced conventional pressure-based, in-seat sensor hardware to classify vehicle occupants while reducing total system bill-of-materials expenditures by up to 40 percent.
The architecture leveraged artificial intelligence and computer vision models to evaluate occupant height, weight, body position, and orientation via standard interior camera feeds. The system distinguished between adults, children, infant carriers, and inanimate objects to dynamically govern adaptive airbag deployment force or suppress deployment entirely during frontal collision sequences. The software achieved a 100 percent accuracy rate across Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 crash-compliance testing protocols.
By migrating functionality to a unified software-defined sensor layer, the platform eliminated dedicated in-seat wiring harnesses and pressure pads, enabling thinner seat profiles and unencumbered integration of seating comfort modules. The underlying vision hardware remained multi-functional, supporting simultaneous integration of over 15 secondary interior safety and convenience features, including driver distraction tracking, seatbelt monitoring, and hands-on-wheel detection via over-the-air upgradable machine learning pipelines.
Car Connectivity Consortium Commences Plugfest #18 to Validate Digital Key Version 4 Specs
The Car Connectivity Consortium launched its 18th end-to-end interoperability Plugfest on June 8, 2026, running through June 12, 2026, at the DEKRA Lausitzring automotive test center in Germany. The industry event gathered global vehicle manufacturers, tier-one suppliers, device makers, and test laboratories to expand testing, cross-vendor validation, and compliance metrics for next-generation CCC Digital Key specifications.
A primary technical objective of the event centered on the expansion of CCC Digital Key Version 4 validation protocols. Operational testing focused heavily on verifying backward compatibility between Version 3 and Version 4 hardware, alongside identifying specific target devices for the preliminary Version 4 Interoperability Device List to accelerate commercial certification readiness. Responding engineering teams deployed updated Near Field Communications test parameters alongside specialized Bluetooth Low Energy sniffing frameworks to trace and isolate cross-platform communication faults during passive entry cycles.
DEKRA served a dual role during the week-long testing schedule, operating as both the host facility’s authorized end-to-end interoperability validation laboratory and as a development partner for official test tool validation suites. Verified participant entities conducting cross-testing sequences during the interoperability cycles included Apple, BMW Group, Google, Hyundai Motor Company, JLR, Keysight Technologies, and Robert Bosch LLC, aiming to standardize secure ultra-wideband and Bluetooth LE-based vehicle access pipelines.
PrePass and HAAS Alert Partner to Deliver Nationwide Real-Time Road Hazard Warnings to Truck Drivers
PrePass Safety Alliance and HAAS Alert have announced a nationwide partnership that will integrate HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® technology into PrePass Safety Alerts™, providing commercial truck drivers with real-time warnings about roadside hazards directly through the PrePass Mobile App.
The collaboration will deliver digital alerts for approaching emergency vehicles, incident responders, active work zones, and other roadway events across the lower 48 states. By combining PrePass’ extensive trucking network with HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud platform, drivers will receive advance notice of hazards minutes before reaching them, improving awareness beyond traditional roadside signs and flashing lights.
Safety Cloud automatically detects incidents when emergency vehicles activate warning lights or when work zone equipment is deployed, transmitting alerts without requiring action from first responders or road crews. The integration expands PrePass Safety Alerts, which already provides notifications for weather, traffic slowdowns, road restrictions, and parking availability.
The companies say the enhanced platform will help fleets improve safety, reduce crash risks, and support compliance with Move Over laws in all 50 states. The service requires no additional hardware and will be available through the existing PrePass Mobile App, creating a single safety platform for commercial drivers that combines traffic, weather, parking, and real-time roadside hazard information.
The partnership marks the first nationwide deployment of HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud technology through a major commercial trucking safety platform, extending digital hazard alerts to professional drivers throughout the United States.
Diodes Launches Low-Resistance Smart Load Switch
Diodes Incorporated has introduced the DML1012ALDSQ, an automotive-qualified smart load switch designed to improve power rail control and sequencing in advanced vehicle electronics, including ADAS, infotainment systems, and digital instrument clusters.
The new N-channel MOSFET switch operates across a 0.8V to 4V input range and features an ultra-low 8mΩ maximum drain-source on-resistance (RDS(ON)), helping reduce power losses and heat generation. Its thermal design supports continuous output currents of up to 6A, while low quiescent current improves efficiency during power-gating and standby operation.
The device integrates several protection and power-management features that can eliminate the need for additional discrete components. These include controlled output slew-rate startup to limit inrush current, quick output discharge for safe shutdown, and undervoltage lockout (UVLO) to prevent operation under unsafe supply conditions. An enable pin allows precise microcontroller-controlled power sequencing.
Housed in a compact 3mm × 3mm V-DFN3030-8 package, the DML1012ALDSQ is priced from $0.17 in 1,000-unit quantities. Diodes also offers a standard-compliance version, the DML1012ALDS, for industrial and commercial applications. The device aims to simplify automotive power management design while improving efficiency, reliability, and board-space utilization.
Schaeffler and Sonatus Edge AI
Schaeffler and Sonatus have formed a global partnership to integrate edge artificial intelligence into vehicle motion control systems, advancing the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and centralized vehicle computing architectures.
The collaboration combines Schaeffler’s control units with Sonatus’ AI software technologies, enabling real-time data collection, deployment of AI models directly within vehicles, and ongoing software updates throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle. The integrated platform allows critical functions such as steering, braking, and energy management to continuously improve without requiring hardware modifications.
By embedding Sonatus Collector AI and Sonatus AI Director into Schaeffler’s control units, the companies aim to create intelligent systems capable of learning and adapting at the vehicle edge. This approach reduces reliance on extensive data logging while enabling automakers to collect targeted operational data and deploy new AI-driven features more efficiently.
The pre-integrated hardware and software solution is designed to simplify integration and validation for automakers, helping accelerate the transition to centralized and zonal vehicle architectures while reducing development complexity and time to market.
The partnership reinforces Schaeffler’s strategy of expanding its role as a provider of software and systems engineering solutions for software-defined vehicles.
SAKURA Joins AECC
The Automotive Edge Computing Consortium has integrated SAKURA internet as a Contributor Member to accelerate the deployment of scalable, data-driven mobility infrastructure. SAKURA internet intends to utilize its expertise in GPU cloud services, containerized data centers, and direct liquid cooling to support AECC objectives in managing high-volume automotive data and distributed computing requirements.
This partnership focuses on the advancement of sustainable computing architectures within the connected vehicle ecosystem. SAKURA internet will participate in the AECC Green Computing Special Interest Group, targeting the optimization of distributed data center workloads and the integration of renewable energy sources to address the escalating power demands of AD and ADAS development.
Aeva CityOS in Fargo
The City of Fargo has integrated Aeva CityOS across municipal intersections to enhance real-time traffic management and situational awareness. This deployment utilizes Atlas Orion 4D LiDAR sensors paired with edge AI perception software to track road users and optimize traffic operations. The platform is designed to provide persistent, high-fidelity data under diverse environmental stressors, including low-visibility conditions like blowing snow and ice, which frequently limit the performance of traditional optical and lower-frequency sensing arrays.
By leveraging silicon photonics for integrated lidar-on-chip processing, the CityOS architecture delivers continuous monitoring of vulnerable road users and infrastructure analytics. This initiative aims to address operational complexities in northern climates where extreme seasonal weather necessitates robust, reliable sensor systems to maintain intersection performance and enable actionable reporting for city transportation agencies.