Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) continues to enhance comfort and user experience in its vehicles. As part of its latest upgrade, the company has integrated Google Places into its navigation systems. This new feature is available in all vehicles equipped with the ccNC infotainment system and the latest software update.
Hyundai and Google have steadily strengthened their partnership in recent years, working together to deliver cutting-edge navigation and infotainment solutions.
Backed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), eleven leading automotive companies have agreed to collaborate on open-source software development in a pre-competitive space. This agreement was formalized at the end of June with the signing of a memorandum of understanding during the Automotive Electronics Congress in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The signatories include BMW Group, Robert Bosch, Continental, ETAS, Forvia’s Hella, Mercedes-Benz Group, Qorix, Valeo, Vector Informatik, Volkswagen Group, and ZF Friedrichshafen.
Munich-based robotics startup Filics, a pioneer in autonomous load carrier handling solutions, has successfully closed a €13.5 million financing round. The round attracted new investors including Sandwater, Alven, F-LOG Ventures, and the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.
The funding will primarily support the further development of Filics’ robotics platform and the scaling of its product portfolio. Additionally, the company aims to expand internationally.
China’s carmaker Changan has confirmed its intention to build its own plant for electric passenger cars in Europe. They plan a European factory to support their future sales in the region and are searching possible locations for the plant.
Changan joins a number of other Chinese automakers that have already launched sales in Europe, including BYD and Chery.
ABB has launched Flexley Mover® P603 platform AMR, the most compact model in its class to handle payloads of up to 1500 kg. The AMR P603 represents a new generation in ABB’s Autonomous Versatile Robotics lineup, designed for effortless real-time task switching. Powered by AI-driven Visual SLAM navigation, it delivers enhanced speed, intelligence, and safety.
ROHM has introduced the BM6GD11BFJ-LB, an isolated gate driver IC specifically engineered to drive high-voltage GaN HEMTs. When paired with GaN devices, this driver ensures stable performance in high-frequency, high-speed switching environments—supporting enhanced miniaturization and efficiency in high-current applications like motors and server power supplies. Improving the efficiency of these systems increasingly relies on wide bandgap technologies like SiC and GaN, which enable more efficient control and conversion of electrical energy.
The energy price index rose 9.7% in June, driven by an 11.3% surge in crude oil.
Metal and precious metal prices increased by 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively.