Press Release – AutoX Partners with Spark Connected to Wirelessly Power Sensors in Level 4 Autonomous Vehicles

DALLAS, Texas. November 10, 2021.

Spark Connected, a global leader in developing advanced and innovative wireless power technology announced a partnership with AutoX, the global leading autonomous driving company, to bring wirelessly powered sensors to level 4 autonomous vehicles.

Spark Connected has continued to innovate and expand their automotive grade wireless power solutions portfolio well beyond the standard in-cabin smartphone charging. The first-generation Beast 1.0 has already been integrated into model year 2021 and Beast 2.0 was recently introduced with Qi 1.3 capability. The new higher power automotive grade Phoenix is the latest addition to the Spark automotive portfolio, wirelessly powering automotive sensors in self-driving vehicles. These sensors allow AutoX vehicles to perceive and understand the world around them, a critical function in driverless vehicles.

According to Ruwanga Dassanayake, COO at Spark Connected, “Spark Connected has always focused on wireless power technology that has a transformative impact on how we interact with devices as a society. Our deep domain expertise help solve the most complex and challenging technical problems for our customers. Partnering with AutoX, the largest self-driving taxi fleet in Asia has been an absolute pleasure. Their groundbreaking driverless technology platform, combined with Spark’s unique and advanced wireless power technology, allows AutoX to accelerate self-driving vehicles to the market.”

AutoX is leading the RoboTaxi industry in China and abroad: it’s self-driving platform can handle the most challenging and dynamic traffic scenarios in urban cities around the world. AutoX is the first and only company in China operating a fully driverless RoboTaxi service on public roads. In addition, AutoX has obtained the world’s second fully driverless permit from the California DMV.

“Spark Connected’s innovative and unique wireless power technology is key for us because it allows for a robust and durable power source with no mechanical connections. The automotive grade Phoenix solution is in line with our high safety standards, while allowing us the flexibility of mechanical design and the reliability to deliver worry-free power to our vehicle sensors,” said Dr. Jewel Li, COO at AutoX.

Highlights of the AutoX platform:

  • Market leadership. AutoX is the first and only company in China operating a fully driverless RoboTaxi service on public roads.
  • Superhuman safety. AutoX is committed to building a service with safety as the highest priority. Our integrated approach to AI algorithms, hardware, and large-scale simulation enables us to achieve a safety level beyond human drivers.
  • Universal impact. AutoX’s innovative AI travels beyond the lab because it is built for real-world complex traffic scenarios. Our mission is to bring autonomous driving to everyone’s daily life and make it universally accessible to everyone.
Ruwanga Dassanayake, Spark Connected COO
Ruwanga Dassanayake, COO

About Spark Connected

Spark Connected | powering the world, wirelessly

Spark connected is an industry leader specializing in multiple advanced and safe wireless power technologies that benefits a wide variety of applications in the Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, Medical, Telecom and Security, Robotics, Factory Automation, IOT, Smart Home, and Consumer markets.

Spark is transforming wireless power delivery and intelligent battery charging with innovative platforms, disruptive technology and breakthrough products enabling an enhanced user experience for all. The company specializes in Product Development and Engineering Solutions with a team of passionate innovators with decades of combined deep domain expertise.

Spark Connected is a Full Member of the Wireless Power Consortium.

Please forward inquiries to:
Marina Wolf/Ruwanga Dassanayake
(972) 855-8026
sales(at)sparkconnected.com

About AutoX

AutoX is the leading provider of RoboTaxi in China, with the mission of ‘Democratizing Autonomy’ to accelerate the advent of fully driverless cars. The company’s self-driving platform is capable of handling the most challenging and dynamic traffic scenarios in urban cities around the world. AutoX operates the largest fleet of RoboTaxi in China, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, as well as in California. AutoX is the first and currently the only company in China operating a fully driverless RoboTaxi service on public roads without any safety driver. In addition, AutoX has obtained the World’s second driverless RoboTaxi permit from California. Headquartered in Shenzhen, AutoX has the largest autonomous driving engineering team in China, with five R&D centers globally.

Press Release – Spark Connected and TDK Launch New Automotive In-Cabin Wireless Charging Solution

TOKYO, Japan. October 4, 2021.

Spark Connected, a global leader in developing advanced and innovative wireless power technology, announced the launch of The Beast 2.0 – an automotive in-cabin wireless charging solution with TDK’s newest pattern coil technology.

The first-generation Beast 1.0, which was Qi certified and released to market in 2018, was the industry’s first solution to come pre-certified CISPR-25 Class 5, providing unparalleled EMC performance in the market. This technology is currently deployed in model year 2021 vehicles worldwide.

The new Beast 2.0, together with TDK’s pattern coil, is a 15W automotive in-cabin wireless charging solution that meets Qi v1.3 requirements. It provides class-leading EMC performance, a wide input supply range with continuous charging even during vehicle stop/start events, and superior user safety including Foreign Object Detection (FOD).

According to Ruwanga Dassanayake, COO at Spark Connected, “After the market success of The Beast 1.0, the Spark team did what they do best, and made a great solution even better. We are excited to introduce the next generation Beast 2.0 and pair it with TDK’s newest cutting-edge pattern coil technology, providing our customers with advanced features and a level of performance not available in the market today.”

TDK’s pattern coil technology leverages proven mature processes, materials and manufacturing techniques. The copper coil pattern is created by a plating process used in TDK’s power inductors for over 15 years and allows for thinner solutions over traditional wire wound coils. The ultra-thin magnetic shield utilizes manganese-zinc (Mn-Zn) ferrite that provides higher permeability (µ’) and saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) values. The ferrite shield construction makes use of a “wet” layering process resulting in thinner and non-rigid shields and eliminating the need for high tonnage pressing. These features, along with unique multi-layer coil construction, provide a uniform, automotive robust wireless charging coil.

“Wireless charging has become increasingly important for devices like smartphones, and we strive to create a world where you don’t need to carry around a charger or mobile battery, where you can charge devices by simply setting them down – inside cars, on tables in cafes or restaurants, waiting areas in stations and airports,” said Noritaka Chiyo, Subsection Head of the Communication Devices Business Group, TDK. “Thin coils will greatly contribute to this charging evolution because they can easily be installed almost anywhere – including to power automotive in-cabin charging, such as Spark Connected’s industry leading Beast 2.0 solution.”

Highlights of TDK coil technology:

  • Single coil pattern that replaces existing tri-coil solutions thus reducing part count and cost
  • Thinner, lighter weight – down to 0.75 mm thickness for 15W coil
  • Removal of charging efficiency “voids” and “valleys” over complete coil pattern
Ruwanga Dassanayake, Spark Connected COO
Ruwanga Dassanayake, COO

About Spark Connected

Spark Connected | powering the world, wirelessly

Spark connected is an industry leader specializing in multiple advanced and safe wireless power technologies that benefits a wide variety of applications in the Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, Medical, Telecom and Security, Robotics, Factory Automation, IOT, Smart Home, and Consumer markets.

Spark is transforming wireless power delivery and intelligent battery charging with innovative platforms, disruptive technology and breakthrough products enabling an enhanced user experience for all. The company specializes in Product Development and Engineering Solutions with a team of passionate innovators with decades of combined deep domain expertise.

Spark Connected is a Full Member of the Wireless Power Consortium.

Please forward inquiries to:
Marina Wolf/Ruwanga Dassanayake
(972) 855-8026
sales(at)sparkconnected.com

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution and deliberately “Attracting Tomorrow.” It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products.

TDK’s comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America.

In fiscal 2021, TDK posted total sales of USD 13.3 billion and employed about 129,000 people worldwide.

Press Release – Spark Connected Revolutionary New Technology Helps You Turn Your Furniture Into a Wireless Phone Charger

MALMO, Sweden. September 27, 2021.

Spark Connected, a global leader in developing advanced and innovative wireless power technology, announced The Kraken technology platform, the industry’s first Qi certified solution that helps you turn just about any desk, table or countertop that you already own into a wireless phone charger.

Unlike other standard charging pads that require you to make direct contact with the pad to charge, the Spark Connected Kraken is designed to easily attach under any non-metallic table, desk or countertop and charge your phone through the surface. In addition, installing the charging pad is incredibly easy. This technology can simply be attached to the underside of any existing furniture in restaurants, coffee shops, public mass transit lounges (airlines, trains and bus stations), office spaces and conference tables, bedside tables in hotel rooms and hotel business lounges.

According to Ken Moore, CEO at Spark Connected, “While there are a number of furniture products and devices with built-in wireless charging on the market, there are few options for people who want to add wireless charging to an existing piece of furniture. Spark Connected has solved this problem with the innovative and easy-to-use Kraken platform, which allows you to put a wireless charging spot almost anywhere.”

Highlights of the Kraken platform:

  • The charger will work with any non-metallic desk, table or countertop
  • Mounts below the surface (no drilling or milling required)
  • Qi certified to charge through a surface between 8 and 22 millimeters thick
  • High power transfer efficiency allows product to be built without fans
Ken Moore, Spark Connected CEO
Ken Moore, CEO

About Spark Connected

Spark Connected | powering the world, wirelessly

Spark connected is an industry leader specializing in multiple advanced and safe wireless power technologies that benefits a wide variety of applications in the Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, Medical, Telecom and Security, Robotics, Factory Automation, IOT, Smart Home, and Consumer markets.

Spark is transforming wireless power delivery and intelligent battery charging with innovative platforms, disruptive technology and breakthrough products enabling an enhanced user experience for all. The company specializes in Product Development and Engineering Solutions with a team of passionate innovators with decades of combined deep domain expertise.

Spark Connected is a Full Member of the Wireless Power Consortium.

Please forward inquiries to:
Marina Wolf/Ruwanga Dassanayake
(972) 855-8026
sales(at)sparkconnected.com