JV to Market New Type of In-Vehicle Wireless Charger

India’s Motherson Innovations Co. is launching a joint venture with Bellevue, Wash.-based Ossia Inc. to market the U.S. company’s radio frequency-based wireless charging system for in-vehicle applications.

Motherson Innovations, which is part of Samvardhana Motherson Automotive (SMA) Systems Group, will own an unspecified majority stake in the new venture. As part of the deal, Motherson also is investing $14 million to acquire a 4.5% stake in Ossia.

Ossia, which was launched in 2008, likens its technology to wi-fi. But instead of transferring data, Cota transmits power. Watch a video about the technology here.

Using a wireless transmitter operating over the 2.4-GHz spectrum, the system can send continuous power to a Cota-enabled smartphone and other mobile devices anywhere in the vehicle. The signal can bounce off solid objects (other than people and pets) to reach non-line-of-sight receivers.

Unlike wireless induction, Cota’s system doesn’t use a charging pad, which eliminates safety concerns about overheating. The system also can charge multiple devices at the same time. Cota acknowledges that charging time is slow compared with connected charging cables.

Ossia and Motherson envision Coda eventually being used to power various vehicle sensors and keyless entry systems. But they say those applications aren’t likely anytime soon.

SMA supplies a wide range of exterior and interior parts to global carmakers. The company hopes to leverage its relationships with current customers as an entry point for Cota.

San Jose, Calif.-based Energous Corp. also is developing an RF-based wireless charging technology. The company’s WattUp transmitter/receiver operates at 900 MHz.