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Daimler and Qualcomm To Develop In-Car Tech, Wireless Charging

Posted by samzenpus on from the if-you-charge-it-they-will-buy dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Car manufacturer Daimler announced a deal with mobile technology company Qualcomm to explore wireless mobile phone recharging in cars, as well as recharging electric vehicles without cables. The move is part of a push by Daimler, as well as rival carmakers BMW and Audi, to improve their status as high-tech carmakers. "It's important that we remain on the cutting edge of technology and continue to deliver unparalleled experiences to our customers," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "With this in mind, we are eager to jointly explore possible fields of future cooperation with an internationally leading tech firm like Qualcomm."

7 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. Wireless charging by itzly · · Score: 3, Informative

    What's to develop about wireless charging ? It already exists. You just need to mount it in a car.

    1. Re:Wireless charging by weilawei · · Score: 2

      It's woefully inadequate for charging at acceptable rates. A good friend of mine drives an EV (a VW Golf) and the thing takes several hours to charge with a physical cable. The fastest level charging standard isn't even available nearby, and we have a pretty decent amount of charging stations here in MA.

    2. Re:Wireless charging by CastrTroy · · Score: 2

      If you really want to charge quickly, you aren't going to beat a cable. Just like if you actually want fast network access, you should plug in an ethernet cable. In car wireless charging would be "good enough" if it provided enough power to use your phone as a bluetooth streaming or navigation system without draining the battery. As long as the battery is maintaining a constant charge when using the phone for normal in-car functions, it doesn't really need to be able to top off the battery quickly.

      My phone has been off the charger since last night at 10 PM (it's now 10 AM, so 12 hours), and it's still at 100% charge. Because I didn't need to use it for much. Sent a few text messages, read some emails, basic stuff really. It's only when I start using it for stuff like browsing the web, watching youtube videos, or doing active navigation (GPS logging doesn't seem to do much to the battery) that the battery starts to deplete significantly. A lot of that usage comes in the car when I'm using it as a GPS, or listening to bluetooth audio streamed from the web. If I could just stop my phone battery from depleting when I'm actively using it certain scenarios, I could probably go close to a week without actually needing to plug it into a wall.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  2. In other words ... by quenda · · Score: 2

    Car manufacturers are getting truly desperate trying to find new features to add to differential the models.

    Wireless charging is hardly "cutting edge" when it has been used in battery toothbrushes for decades.
    The only reason it is popular now, aside from with people who love any gimmick, is that everybody hates the current USB plug, and is sick of trying to plug it in backwards. Bring back the old Nokia 2mm plug PLEASE!

  3. I really hope... by dohzer · · Score: 3, Funny

    I really hope this leads to another wireless charging standard.

  4. Re: ...recharging electric vehicles without cables by itzly · · Score: 2

    Current wireless charging is about 90% efficient in optimal conditions: close, well matched inductors, and no foreign metal objects.

    Even 90% is a terrible waste for a car, when you can plug in a cable in just a few seconds.

  5. Re:I really (Obligatory XKCD) by willworkforbeer · · Score: 2

    http://xkcd.com/927/

    --
    Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..