Molex invests in Excelfore, expanding scope of in-vehicle connected platforms
Created January 5, 2017
News and BusinessMolex, a global manufacturer of interconnect solutions, has announced a strategic global collaboration and investment in Excelfore, an innovative Silicon Valley-based provider of cloud platform and connectivity applications for intelligent transportation. Molex’s investment in a “Series A” round of funding secured a 20% minority ownership of Excelfore.
Headquartered in Fremont, CA with offices in China, Germany, India, and Japan, Excelfore specializes in middleware solutions for smart mobility networks that support next-generation smart, autonomous and learning vehicles and associated infrastructure. Its automotive software enables communication between automotive components and cloud-based servers, automotive fleet monitoring, and provision of Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) and Software Over the Air (SOTA) updates.
“Smart mobility starts with innovative people and solutions to make intelligent vehicle designs a reality,” according to Bill Fitzer, vice president and general manager of the Molex Connected Mobility Solutions Business Unit. “Together, Molex and Excelfore will provide complete intelligent vehicle systems integrating the hardware, software, and technical services needed to advance adoption of next-generation connected platforms in today’s vehicles.”
In-vehicle network technologies are a leading priority for leading automotive manufacturers and consumers who value a connected driving experience. Currently, only about one in five vehicles shipped is equipped with connectivity features. By 2020, 75% of cars will be connected to the Internet, according to TrendForce market research.
Automotive OEMs need a total systems approach to connectivity as they integrate new features and capabilities into vehicles. In order to meet this demand, Molex and Excelfore have developed a complete vehicle end-to-end connectivity solution with FOTA/SOTA, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, OTA and edge-sensor eCAM capabilities. The new integrated software and hardware solutions will be showcased at an invitation-only demonstration event hosted by Excelfore and Molex during the Consumer Electronics Show, January 5 – 8, 2017.
“By empowering seamless end-to-end solutions—taking into account digital and power interconnects, in-vehicle and cloud networking, and the mechanisms for rolling out updates to vehicles—the collaboration with Molex strengthens the value we can bring to automotive suppliers,” said Shrikant Acharya, chief technology officer at Excelfore.
For more information about the companies, visit www.excelfore.com and www.molex.com.
For more information about activities at CES 2017, visit www.excelfore.com/ces2017/.
