Samvardhana Motherson forms JV with Ossia for Cota ecosystem

Motherson Sumi Systems Limited (MSSL), part of the Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG), through its subsidiary Samvardhana Motherson Automotive Systems Group B.V. (SMRP BV) has announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) with Ossia Inc., innovator of the Cota Real Wireless Power technology.

Motherson Innovations Company Limited (MI), a subsidiary of SMRP BV, will hold majority share in the JV and will aim at bringing Ossia’s Cota power system into the interiors of some of the world’s most popular vehicles. The newly-formed entity will be based in the US and will be supported by SMG’s global organisation. Apart from the JV, MI will also invest $14 million for a 4.5% equity stake in Ossia Inc.

Globally, the JV will focus on the integration of Cota technology into a wide range of non-military passenger, commercial and public transportation vehicles. The JV aims to have its systems deployed in both private and public vehicles by 2021 not only to deliver continuous wireless power to occupants’ personal devices, but also to power various sensors in and on the vehicle, including brake sensors, tyre pressure gauges and key fobs. The JV will also be the distributor of all Cota wireless power products across multiple verticals such as IoT and consumer devices in India.

“Our customers want access to the most advanced technologies available today. After extensive evaluation of multiple wireless power companies, we have chosen Ossia as our preferred partner and are investing to be a part of the broader Cota ecosystem. Wirelessly powering the in-cabin experience and various other sensors is a tremendous technological advancement for both vehicle manufacturers and consumers,” Vaaman Sehgal, Vice Chairman of SMG, said.”

SMG is one of the leading manufacturers of components and solutions for top vehicle OEMs. MI is tasked with developing new technologies and creating platforms for new ideas to be launched. MI’s latest offering, the breakthrough ‘Empathic Cockpit’ demonstrator, was displayed at the CES 2018 in Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to be working closely with a global leader like Samvardhana Motherson Group. This JV is a validation of Cota Real Wireless Power, which will be commercialized worldwide for the automotive industry,” Ossia Chief Executive Officer, Mario Obeidat, said.

Ossia is the developer of the patented Cota technology, which redefines wireless power by safely delivering targeted energy to devices at a distance. Cota technology uses radio frequency to power a range of devices like wearables, smartphones, automotive sensors, IoT devices and batteries.

Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, Ossia’s flagship technology, Cota, redefines wireless power by safely delivering remote, targeted energy to devices at a distance. Ossia’s Cota technology automatically keeps multiple devices charged without any user intervention, enabling an efficient and truly wire-free, powered-up world, that is always on and always connected.

SMRPBV, a Samvardhana Motherson Group company, is a joint venture between Motherson Sumi Systems Limited (MSSL), the flagship company of SMG and Samvardhana Motherson International Limited (SMIL), the principal holding company of SMG through their subsidiaries. SMRPBV is present in all major global automotive production regions, with 48 production facilities spread in 18 countries. Its operations include supplies to global automotive industry through its subsidiaries Samvardhana Motherson Reflectec (SMR) and Samvardhana Motherson Peguform (SMP).

The Samvardhana Motherson Group’s automotive product portfolio comprises electrical distribution systems (wiring harnesses), automotive rearview mirrors, moulded plastic parts and assemblies, injection moulding tools, moulded and extruded rubber components, modules and systems including cockpits /IPs, door trims, bumpers, lighting systems, air intake manifolds, pedal assemblies, HVAC systems, vehicle air conditioning systems, roof hatches, cabins for offhighway vehicles, machined metal products, cutting tools, thin film coating metals, IT services, design engineering and CAE services.

The Group has also invested in technologies that provide manufacturing support, including compressors, paint coating equipment, auxiliary equipment for injection moulding machines and automotive manufacturing engineering services.