The company said starting with 2022 model years and proliferating across multiple customers and vehicle platforms, its next-generation cameras and domain controllers will help make the benefits of 3D surround view – a driver-assistance technology found mainly in luxury-class vehicles – available to more consumers.

The new multi-camera system provides a high-resolution, 360-degree field of view around the vehicle, while the domain controller then creates a 3D surround-view image by processing the four camera images, rendering a seamlessly stitched 3D view of surroundings concerning the vehicle. The new system helps to park the vehicle in a tight space and delivers data to help improve the performance of other vehicle systems such as emergency braking, and automatically detects and warns the driver when the camera lens is impeded by snow, ice, dirt or raindrops.

“By providing a high-performance surround-view platform that is cost-effective, we’re helping our customers bring added safety and convenience to more drivers,” said Uwe Geissinger, Magna Electronics President. (MT)

Dana Acquires Pi Innovo

To ramp up its electrodynamics capabilities and the electrification product portfolio, Dana acquired Pi Innovo LLC, an embedded software solution and electronic control unit provider. With the acquisition of Pi Innovo, Dana adds a strong library of turn-key electric vehicle application software, vehicle level controllers, and auxiliary controllers.

“The extremely talented and experienced Pi Innovo team have provided exceptional modular software and controls solutions for original equipment manufacturers for more than 25 years,” said James Kamsickas, Dana chairman and CEO. “Integrating Pi Innovo with Dana’s leading e-Propulsion software capabilities will further enhance our ability to provide value for our customers as they continue to accelerate their electric vehicle portfolio development.”

The software and controls expertise of PI Innovo builds on Dana’s robust capabilities in designing, engineering, and delivering complete vehicle integration for e-Propulsion systems, further positioning the company as a leader in vehicle electrification. (MT)

DEKRA Opens Inspection Station In Mexico

The first DEKRA-powered vehicle inspection station in Mexico has opened in Guadalajara. The company will open five additional stations in Guadalajara by May 2021, bringing 240 new jobs to Mexico’s second-largest city.

The stations will be operated by DEKRA and managed by the state’s Ministry of Environment and Territory Development (SEMADET). The new stations will offer comprehensive emission inspections for traditional and diesel fuel vehicles, including all state and municipal vehicles and commercial vehicles.

Located in central Guadalajara, the new station is the first privately-operated vehicle inspection station in the state of Jalisco. The new station’s seven lanes are projected to handle 65,000 inspections in 2021 and grow to more than 100,000 per year in the future. Once open, the six DEKRA-powered stations in Guadalajara will include 42 lanes and are expected to handle a total of 600,000 inspections each year.

“DEKRA is recognised as the world’s leading vehicle testing company, performing more than 27 million inspections annually,” said Stan Zurkiewicz, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Management Board of DEKRA S.E. (MT)

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric is set to host its annual event ‘Sankalp’ on 15 August, at its Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.

At the event, the company shared that it will unveil its ‘India Inside’ vision across products and technologies. This year, Ola Electric has made its event public inside the Gigafactory, which will be live-streamed on its official channels with more details to be announced soon.

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Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has unveiled Force iPulse, its new connected vehicle platform designed to enhance operational intelligence and vehicle lifecycle management.

Developed in partnership with Intangles, the platform uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid analytics to provide insight into vehicle performance. It continuously analyses high-resolution data to predict issues, enabling the early detection of performance problems and component failures.

Unlike traditional monitoring systems, Force iPulse goes beyond simply reporting faults. It performs root-cause analysis on key subsystems, including the engine, powertrain and electrical and thermal systems, allowing for proactive intervention to prevent unplanned downtime. This enables fleet operators to make precise, data-backed decisions.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “At Force Motors, we believe in value-driven innovation, and this launch is yet another step in our mission to deliver superior, intelligent mobility solutions. Force iPulse is more than just a technological solution—it is a business enabler for our customers. It brings in transparency, improves efficiency, and ensures safety across operations, thereby equipping our customers with complete control over their fleet operations. We are confident that this new initiative will be well appreciated by both our customers as well as our partners and help take us another step forward in delivering our promise of customer delight.”

The platform, built on a secure cloud-native architecture, provides access to real-time and historical vehicle data on both mobile and desktop devices. It offers a unified view of operations, helping fleet managers detect inefficiencies, enforce best practices and optimise the total cost of ownership.

Furthermore, to support the new technology, Force Motors has established an Intelligence Command Centre at its headquarters in Pune. Manned by diagnostics experts, the centre provides remote vehicle monitoring, alert management and expert guidance. This is backed by a 24x7 support infrastructure.

Force iPulse is now available across Force Motors’ network of more than 300 dealerships. It will be a standard feature on all new commercial vehicles and can also be fitted as a certified aftermarket solution.

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California-based e-mobility company Faraday Future Intelligent Electric has commenced the trial production phase of its new FX Super One electric MPV at its Hanford facility.

The phase will focus on validating production processes, workflows and quality standards. Factory engineers and staff are also undergoing training to prepare for full-scale production. The next stage will involve engineering validation, including safety testing.

Unveiled in Los Angeles on 17 July, the FX Super One features Faraday Future’s Super EAI F.A.C.E. interface and its 6x4 Embodied AI Agent architecture. The model is positioned as a premium alternative to traditional large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.

The company has invested around USD 300 million in its 1.1 million-square-foot Hanford facility, which could be scaled up to produce over 30,000 vehicles per year with further funding and permits. The plant may also support multi-model assembly lines.

Faraday Future recently secured USD 105 million in new funding, expected to cover most of the FX Super One’s launch costs.

Founded in 2014, the company aims to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first and smart driving experience.

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German tier 1 supplier Schaeffler has developed a hands-free access sensor that allows users to open and close vehicle trunks or sliding doors with a foot motion, without needing to press a button or use a remote. Based on Doppler radar technology, the system enables keyless and contactless vehicle access.

According to Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis, Schaeffler AG, “With the expanded portfolio of the Powertrain & Chassis Division, Schaeffler is positioning itself as a new provider of innovative sensor solutions for body applications. The hands-free access sensor is an example of Schaeffler’s growing, complementary product range following the merger with Vitesco Technologies – and marks another step toward our goal of becoming the world’s leading Motion Technology Company.”

The sensor activates when a person enters the radar field beneath the rear of the vehicle. It detects foot movements and analyses both speed and direction within a 60-centimetre range. Artificial intelligence is used in the calibration process, adapting the system to different vehicle models to improve detection accuracy and reduce false triggers.

Production of the sensor began in Europe at the end of 2024 for major automotive manufacturers.

Leif Reinhold, Head of the Powertrain Solutions Business Division at Schaeffler, responsible for the company’s sensor portfolio, said. “Schaeffler’s hands-free access sensor is a key component in the vehicle for intuitive access and also highlights our expanded sensor expertise in the market. We have been producing the hands-free access sensor in volume since the end of 2024 – in Europe, for major European automotive manufacturers. We also see additional growth potential in North America and China.”

Operating at a 24 GHz frequency, the sensor maintains performance in various weather conditions and temperatures ranging from –40 to 105 degrees Celsius. It connects to vehicle systems via a LIN interface and is suitable for various body styles including SUVs, minivans and sedans.

The sensor can be mounted either on the bumper or the chassis and is compatible with vehicles fitted with or without a trailer hitch. Installation involves a single screw-in component, removing the need for extra clips, brackets or antenna runs.

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