GM Dials LG Energy Solution For LMR Battery Tech For Future EVs

GM LMR Prismatic Battery

General Motors and LG Energy Solution are set to commercialise lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells, which will make its debut in future GM electric trucks and full-size SUVs.

Building on the earlier partnership to develop prismatic battery cell technology and related chemistries, GM is set to become the first automaker to deploy LMR batteries in EVs.

As part of the understanding, Ultium Cells, a GM and LG Energy Solution joint venture, will commence commercial production of LMR prismatic cells in the United States by 2028, with pre-production expected to begin at an LG Energy Solution facility by late 2027. The final production design of these LMR battery cells will be validated at GM’s Battery Cell Development Center in Warren, MI, which is expected to open earlier that year, as well as LG Energy Solution’s facility.

Unlike traditional battery chemistries, where cathodes is made of materials like cobalt, nickel and manganese, with cobalt being the most expensive. LMR battery cells use a higher proportion of more affordable manganese, while also delivering greater capacity and energy density.

The partners claim that the new LMR prismatic battery cell provides 33 percent higher energy density compared to the best-performing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based cells – at a comparable cost.

At present, GM stated its e-truck platform has segment-leading range using high-nickel chemistry. Going forward, by integrating LMR battery technology and the manufacturing and space efficiency benefits of prismatic cells, GM aims to offer more than 400 miles (643km) of range in an e-truck while achieving significant battery pack cost savings compared to today’s high-nickel pack.

Kurt Kelly, VP of Battery, Propulsion and Sustainability, GM, said, “We’re pioneering manganese-rich battery technology to unlock premium range and performance at an affordable cost, especially in electric trucks. As we look to engineer the ideal battery for each vehicle in our diverse EV portfolio, LMR will complement our high-nickel and iron-phosphate solutions to expand customer choice in the truck and full-size SUV markets, advance American battery innovation, and create jobs well into the future.”

Wonjoon Suh, Executive VP and Head of the Advanced Automotive Battery Division at LG Energy Solution, added, “We’re excited to introduce the first-ever LMR prismatic cells for EVs, the culmination of our decades-long research and investment in the technology. GM’s future trucks powered by this new chemistry are a strong example of our shared commitment to offering diverse EV options to consumers.”

TVS Motor Co Partners Aegis Rider To Showcase AR Helmet At EICMA 2025

TVS Motor Co - Aegis Rider

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has partnered Swiss startup Aegis Rider to showcase a ride assist innovation at EICMA 2025: the Heads-Up Display (HUD) AR Helmet.

The helmet uses spatial anchoring and augmented reality (AR) technology to display vital information in the rider’s line of sight, keeping focus on the road. The AR display provides real-time navigation, hazard alerts and call notifications without distracting the rider. Visitors to the exhibition are experiencing demonstrations of the technology on the TVS RTR 310 motorcycle.

The Aegis Rider HUD Helmet combines a magnetic binocular AR glass and an OLED projector within a carbon fibre shell. It features adaptive brightness and anti-glare properties for clear visibility.

The system connects wirelessly to both the motorcycle infotainment and smartphones. It is powered by a Qualcomm processor and a 7,000mAh rechargeable battery, which lasts four hours. Riders receive navigation, call and message alerts, music control and an integrated 5MP action camera. The helmet meets global safety certifications, including ECE 22.06 and DOT.

Simon Hecker, Founder and CEO, Aegis Rider, said, “We have been working relentlessly for the past 5 years to achieve a breakthrough in technology that enables the anchoring of information in space to the motorcycle rider. In our standalone helmet, we show information that is typically shown on the motorcycle dashboard in a head-up display to the rider, which stays in front of the motorcycle independent of the head and motorcycle movements. In the integrated version that will be available together with TVS & Norton, we unlock additional information from the motorcycle such as turn signals, RPM, fuel level, gear position, and many more that are available on the motorcycle.”

The HUD AR Helmet is displayed in the TVS Connect zone, which also features the TVS X, an electric scooter with Android Auto integration created in partnership with Google. The TVS Connected Services suite, which integrates smart watches, phones and vehicles, is also on display.

Upcoming developments for the helmet will expand features to include ride assistance, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity and cloud-based ride analytics.

Ultraviolette Partners With Cardo Systems, Launches Connected Helmet At EICMA 2025

UV Crossfade

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Ultraviolette Automotive has unveiled its product portfolio at the EICMA 2025 motorcycle exhibition. The company also announced a partnership with Cardo Systems to build solutions for Indian and global markets, focusing on safety and connectivity under ‘Phase 1 of its Connected Rider Ecosystem.’

Following the launch and ongoing deliveries of its X-47 Crossover in the country, Ultraviolette is entering the connected riding solutions market with the launch of the 'UV Crossfade' helmet, which features a carbon fibre shell.

The helmet introduces a first-of-its-kind helmet-based motorcycle integration, enabling real-time connectivity with Ultraviolette vehicles. The F77 Mach 2, F77 SuperStreet, and the X-47 Crossover motorcycles will be the first to adopt this innovation, with a phased rollout planned across the portfolio.

By combining Cardo’s mesh network with Ultraviolette’s smart systems, the helmet facilitates real-time rider-to-rider/rider groups and rider-to-vehicle connectivity.

The system uses Dynamic Alert Sequencing (D.A.S) software to read, assess and allocate alerts in real time for the rider. The D.A.S suite dynamically allocates incoming notifications from the motorcycle to the rider’s connected Cardo unit.

The UV Crossfade features a carbon fibre outer shell paired with fibreglass inner layers, resulting in a lightweight build of approximately 1380 grams. The helmet is subject to DoT and ISI certifications and is compliant with the ECE 22.06 global standard. The helmet is priced at INR 19,900.

Narayan Subramaniam, Co-founder & CEO, Ultraviolette Automotive, said, “At Ultraviolette, we aim to make mobility progressively more intelligent through the seamless integration of technology and design. We don’t just build vehicles, we craft experiences that elevate and redefine the future of mobility. The launch of the UV Crossfade Carbon-fibre helmet represents the beginning of a new era of advanced connect between the rider and the machine to enhance safety, awareness, and the overall ride experience. The UV Crossfade helmet not only enhances safety with uncompromising material engineering but can also communicates with the Ultraviolette motorcycles including giving the rider real time alerts from the UV Hypersense radar systems on the X-47. Our partnership with Cardo Systems is an important part of this journey, bringing advanced communication technology into our connected rider ecosystem. At EICMA, we also showcased our comprehensive global product portfolio including motorcycles and scooters; the X-47, the world’s first motorcycle with radar as standard and our upcoming products, the Tesseract and Shockwave. Together, these exemplify Ultraviolette’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, technology, and design, redefining the future of mobility, today.”

Shachar Harari, VP Business Development at Cardo Systems, said, “Our cooperation with Ultraviolette brings a new dimension of connectivity to the world of motorcycles enabling them to interact directly with the Cardo unit, opening a whole new field of opportunities with Blind Spot Detection, Status Alerts and other Advanced Rider Assistance System, featuring the natural next steps.”

Solid Power Partners Samsung SDI And BMW On Solid-State Battery Development

Solid Power

Solid Power, Inc., a U.S.-based developer of solid-state battery (ASSB) technology, has announced a collaboration with Samsung SDI and BMW to pursue the development and validation of a demonstration vehicle powered by ASSB technology.

The collaboration is a key step towards the commercialisation of ASSB technology, leveraging the expertise of the three companies. Under the arrangement, Solid Power will supply its sulphide-based solid electrolyte to Samsung SDI, which will then integrate it into cells. These cells will be evaluated based on performance parameters agreed upon with BMW. The ultimate goal is to develop and supply ASSB cells for integration into a demonstration vehicle.

John Van Scoter, President and CEO, Solid Power, said, “We are excited to partner with Samsung SDI and BMW to progress the development of all-solid-state batteries. Our solid electrolyte technology is designed for stability and conductivity, and by working closely with global leaders in automotive and battery innovation, we strive to bring ASSB technology closer to widespread adoption.”

Martin Schuster, Vice-President Battery Cell and Cell Module, BMW Group, said, “With Samsung SDI joining our partnership with Solid Power, we gain significant momentum on our path advancing the development of new battery cell technologies. This global collaboration is another proof point of our overarching goal: to be always in a position to offer our customers state of the art battery technology.”

Stella Joo-Young Go, Executive Vice-President of ASB Commercialisation Team at Samsung SDI, said, "Technological competitiveness in batteries would ultimately lead to innovation in electric vehicles. Samsung SDI will work closely with strategic partners such as BMW and Solid Power to take the lead in commercialisation of ASSB.”

ASSB cells are said to have the potential to offer improved energy density, battery life and safety performance by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials. The collaboration supports Solid Power’s objective to manufacture and sell electrolyte to Tier 1 battery manufacturers and automotive OEMs.

Ather Rizta Gets Kannada Language Option For Dashboard Interface

Ather Rizta - Kannada

Ather Energy has begun rolling out multi-language dashboard support for its Rizta scooter, enhancing accessibility for a wider audience in India.

The multi-language interface, first announced for the Rizta, will eventually support eight regional languages: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. The rollout commenced with Hindi, followed by Kannada, with the remaining languages set for introduction in the coming months.

Swapnil Jain, CTO & Co-founder, Ather Energy, said: “Karnataka has been home for us since the beginning. It’s where much of Ather was built, our teams, and our early community. In a state where culture and language are deeply rooted, adding Kannada to the Rizta Z dashboard felt like a natural step to make the experience more personal and accessible for our riders here. As technology becomes part of daily life, it should also feel familiar and easy to use, that’s exactly what this update aims to do.”

The Rizta, Ather’s first family scooter, is available in two models and four variants: Rizta S and Rizta Z. The variants offer an IDC range of 123 km and 159 km. The scooter features a large seat and a storage space of 56-litre, including a 34-litre under-seat capacity and an optional 22-litre frunk accessory.

Safety features include SkidControl, Fall Safe, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Tow & Theft Alerts. The Rizta has found a strong connection with riders, crossing 100,000 unit sales in June of this year.