Southfield Auto Supplier Denso Invests $5M in Seattle’s Airbiquity

Denso, a large automotive supplier in Southfield, Tuesday announced it has taken a $5-million stake in Seattle’s Airbiquity Inc., a global connected vehicle services company and developer of automotive telematics technology.
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Airbiquity Inc.
Southfield’s Denso has invested $5 million in Airbiquity Inc., a company specializing in connected vehicles and automotive technology. // Photo courtesy of Airbiquity Inc.

Denso, a large automotive supplier in Southfield, Tuesday announced it has taken a $5-million stake in Seattle’s Airbiquity Inc., a global connected vehicle services company and developer of automotive telematics technology.

The investment will accelerate the development of over-the-air systems for wirelessly and remotely updating automotive software. These systems have been increasingly commercialized to update the software of multimedia products such as car navigation systems. Remote updates will be critical as the automotive industry moves toward electrified and autonomous vehicles.

Airbiquity delivers software products for in-vehicle multimedia. Denso’s investment will accelerate the development of over-the-air systems in cooperation with Toyota Motor and Toyota Tsusho.

“Denso envisions a future where people everywhere enjoy the freedom and convenience of mobility,” says Tony Cannestra, director of corporate ventures at Denso. “That’s why we’ve been actively and aggressively investing in and teaming up with industry-leading partners like Airbiquity to deliver safe and reliable automated driving technology. Secure OTA systems that update and control vehicle functionality are a key component in tomorrow’s connected car.”

Denso is a global mobility supplier headquartered in Japan and has its North American headquarters in Southfield. It has 220 facilities in 35 countries and produces thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, and electronic systems.