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.