DENSO Acquires InfiniteKey, Inc. to Advance Keyless Automotive Experience
2017年12月15日 - 08:52AM
JCN Newswire (英)
DENSO, one of the world's largest automotive technology, systems
and components suppliers, has acquired Holland, Mich.-based
InfiniteKey, Inc., along with several key patents and R&D
resources. The acquisition provides foundational pieces to
developing phone-as-a-key technology and increases DENSO's lead in
developing and deploying smartphone-based automotive access, a
critical component of the company's strategy to create a future
with frictionless mobility. This type of technology will become
increasingly important for automakers, as ridesharing and
driverless services progress beyond the need for keys.
"When we consider the future of mobility, the customer experience
is always at the forefront of our design. Eliminating the need for
physical keys will create a headache-free experience for car
owners, and ridesharing and driverless services users," said Bill
Foy, senior vice president of Engineering, DENSO International
America. "This acquisition brings us one step closer to making this
experience a reality and advancing vehicle access
technologies."
InfiniteKey has developed advanced techniques for microlocating
smartphones relative to vehicles using standard Bluetooth Low
Energy (BLE). This technology allows automakers to rely on phones
as passive keys, in the same way they rely upon dedicated passive
key fobs today. Unlike key fobs, however, phones as passive key
systems enable a broad range of mobility services, such as
ridesharing and driverless services.
"This acquisition demonstrates DENSO's aggressive approach to
supporting startups and technologies we view as significantly
valuable for the future of the transportation industry," said Tony
Cannestra, director of Corporate Ventures, DENSO International
America. "Whether it's through direct investment or acquisition,
DENSO will find a way to support and partner with companies to help
transform mobility."
Kevin Virta, CEO of InfiniteKey, expressed his team's enthusiasm
for joining forces with DENSO. "Becoming part of DENSO, with its
global reach and world-class engineering, means our phone-as-a-key
technology can reach the broadest possible penetration in the
automotive market," said Virta. "We are looking forward to making
significant contributions to DENSO's efforts to lead the way in
automotive technologies of the future."
InfiniteKey has been acquired by DENSO International America,
DENSO's North American regional headquarters, and is now a
satellite office. DENSO completed its transaction of InfiniteKey in
October 2017. Terms were not disclosed.
About Denso
DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture,
Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced
technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal,
powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its
customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the
company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38
countries and regions and employs nearly 140,000 people.
Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31,
2014, totaled US$39.8 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9
percent of its global consolidated sales on research and
development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya
stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com,
or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.
Source: Denso
Contact:
DENSO CORPORATION
Sadayoshi Yokoyama, Toshiko Watanabe
Phone: 81-566-25-5594
Fax: 81-566-25-4509
sadayoshi_yokoyama@denso.co.jp
toshiko_watanabe@denso.co.jp
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