QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM), one of the leading providers of 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies entered a multi-year partnership agreement with Formula E Holdings (FEH) to create a wireless charging system for electric race cars.
QUALCOMM launched its Toq smartwatch
The announcement of the partnership came after QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) launched its Toq smartwatch with wireless charging capability. Toq will compete with Galaxy Gear smartwatch of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KSE:005930), which was also introduced last week.
QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) will use the same technology with electric cars. According to the press statement of the company, its partnership with FEH aims to highlight mobile and electric vehicle technologies and to demonstrate the benefits from wireless and sustainable technology both on and off the track.
According to the company, it will initially integrate the Qualcomm Halo Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) technology to the 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship safety cars. The technology will allow the cars to charge wirelessly.
Halo WEVC technology utilizes resonant magnetic induction
QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) said its wireless charging system will be integrated with electric race cars on season two of the FIA Formula E race series. The company explained that its Halo WEVC technology utilizes resonant magnetic induction to transfer electricity between a ground-based pad and a charging pad on the electric car.
To charge their electric vehicles, drivers will only need to park over the base pad and the charging will start automatically.
QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) will evaluate the connectivity and mobile technology systems of the ten venue cities of the FIA Formula E race series worldwide as part of the partnership agreement. It will also provide solutions to improve the experience of spectators, such as live streaming of the events, video gaming, and social media.
Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) said, “Our collaboration with the FIA Formula E Championship is not just a great opportunity to showcase Qualcomm technologies, such as our Halo WEVC system, but to evaluate and improve wireless connectivity and EV technology across the globe, especially in the host cities.”
Chandrasekher added that the wireless charging system built for Formula E races will be located in city center circuits. The infrastructure will remain there and will be available for the use of drivers who drives electric cars to go to work.
“Once the race is done and gone, the pads are still there. We are big believers in wireless charging. It’s not a question of if but when,” said Chandrasekher.
Tesla aims to install supercharger system for electric cars
Meanwhile, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) aims to install a supercharger system for electric cars in public venues so that 98 percent of car drivers in the United States will have access to it by 2015. Currently, the electric car manufacturer has 19 supercharger stations. The company projected that drivers will be able to travel coast to coast with the expansion of its supercharger stations by winter this year.
