Automotive Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules and expertise target Vehicle-to-Vehicle communications.
Swiss based u-blox announces the acquisition of the automotive-grade Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module products and a team of key engineers from lesswire AG, a subsidiary of the PRETTL group. Founded in 1999, lesswire is a privately owned company that provides robust vehicle-ready short range wireless communication modules to Tier-1 automotive electronics suppliers in Europe and Asia.
The purchase includes off-the-shelf products, equipment and a team of experts in the area of connected car and short range connectivity modules.
Herbert Blaser, VP of short range products at u-blox, said:
“The addition of the automotive modules from lesswire positions u-blox as a strategic supplier of wireless technology to the fast growing market for in-car and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems.”
“Besides actual high demand for in-car connectivity, next generation smart cars will have advanced safety and collision avoidance systems that depend on robust, reliable communications. Building on u blox’ leadership in automotive positioning electronics, this acquisition adds a key enabling technology to our portfolio. We welcome our new colleagues in Berlin to build on the synergies between our companies.”
“The sale of our automotive short range modules to u-blox is advantageous for both companies,” said Dr. Ralph Meyfarth, lesswire CEO.
“lesswire will continue to focus on system-level products for car connectivity and industrial wireless solutions, and we will depend on u-blox as module-experts to deliver us the key wireless components we need to continue growing in this market.”
lesswire’s module operations in Berlin will become a u-blox product center for automotive-grade short range radio modules. For existing lesswire customers the current product offering will continue to be supported and further developed.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.