News

Dual-Compatible In-Vehicle Wireless Charging for General Motors

August 27, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Global automotive supplier Visteon Corporation is debuting its first-to-market wireless charging system with General Motors Corp.. This unique solution uses inductive coupling technology to support both wireless charging standards – Power Matters Alliance (PMA)/Powermat® and Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)/Qi. Cadillac is featuring it on the 2015 ATS, and will add it to the CTS sports sedan this fall and to the Escalade SUV at the end of 2014.

"Visteon's wireless charging solution offers our customers immense flexibility," said Albert Faraj, vice president, Americas, for Visteon's electronics business. "It was designed so that it can be integrated into a number of locations within the cockpit, such as the center console or an area in the instrument panel. The module also can accept phones equipped with a certified PMA/Powermat or WPC/Qi receiver, thus increasing the number of mobile devices that are compatible with this vehicle feature."

Wireless charging gives vehicle occupants a convenient way to recharge their mobile device and eliminates the need for power cords. It addresses what a recent study conducted by the WPC found to be the biggest complaint of smartphone users: battery life.

A major benefit for auto manufacturers is that the Visteon wireless charging solution is designed to accommodate different in-vehicle locations, so it can be used across multiple platforms and in different regions. It is one example of Visteon's connected vehicle solution designed to adapt to an auto manufacturers mobility strategy.