SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Global automotive supplier
DENSO
announced that it has developed the world’s first integrated,
in-vehicle wireless cell phone charger, in collaboration with Philips
and Lite-On Digital Solutions (PLDS). DENSO’s Qi-compatible wireless
cell phone charger will make its world debut in North America on the
2013 Toyota Avalon Limited as part of the available technology package.
The wireless cell phone charger is manufactured at the company’s DENSO
Wireless Systems America facility, located in Vista, Calif.
“Considering the increasing usage of smartphones in vehicle
connectivity, we wanted to bring a convenient charging solution to
consumers that eliminates cords and connections,” said Bill Foy, vice
president, Toyota Sales Group, DENSO International America Inc. “Also,
by utilizing our global network and collaborating with our partner PLDS,
we were able to achieve a consumer electronics speed to market – which
is always a challenge in automotive industry.”
The charger is designed to meet the global Qi standard, which was
established to ensure compatibility between Qi-compatible phones and
other electronics and chargers. Many future smartphones that will launch
in 2013 and beyond will integrate a Qi-compatible chip to allow
wireless charging without an added sleeve, which is currently necessary
for phones that are not Qi compatible, according to DENSO.