Just two days after that transaction, Qualcomm has announced it will hold a Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial in London in a collaborative effort with various UK governmental authorities. The plan is to install a number of chargers and invite companies to enroll vehicles into the scheme and see how wireless charging can meet their individual needs. The UK's largest taxi company, Addison Lee, has already declared itself a participant and as many as 50 vehicles can take part. Companies interested in giving it a go can hit them up on the WEVC website.
As usual, you can get all the details in a pair of official press releases after the break.
Qualcomm Acquires HaloIPT Team and its Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Technology
– November 08, 2011 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that it has acquired substantially all of the technology and other assets of HaloIPT, a leading provider of wireless charging technology for electric road vehicles. All members of the HaloIPT team have joined Qualcomm's European Innovation Development group based in the UK.
"Qualcomm has been investing in wireless power for a number of years and the HaloIPT acquisition will further strengthen our technology and patent portfolio," said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president of European Innovation Development for Qualcomm. "Building on 20 years of development and innovation in wireless power at The University of Auckland and its commercialization company Auckland UniServices Ltd, the HaloIPT team, in a relatively short period of the time, had established itself as a leading developer in wireless electric road vehicle charging – with HaloIPT winning industry acclamation and awards."
"We are immensely proud of what has been achieved by our team at HaloIPT over the past 18 months" said John Miles, executive chairman of HaloIPT and a director at Arup. "In that short space of time, we have brought world-class university research to theattention of the global automotive industry and, through really innovative design, demonstrated the potential for wireless charging in front of several of the world's leading OEMs. That has been a terrific achievement".
In addition to the HaloIPT transaction, Qualcomm and Auckland UniServices, the commercialisation company of the University of Auckland, have committed to a long-term research and development arrangement to promote continued innovation in the field of wireless charging for electric road vehicles by way of inductive power transfer.
"UniServices is proud to see the development of technology for the wireless charging of electric vehicles become an important area for Qualcomm," said Peter Lee, chief executive officer, UniServices. "We believe Qualcomm is well positioned to make available this technology to third parties for the wireless charging of electric road vehicles, and the relationship will provide opportunities for continued research and development of this technology."
More information on UniServices and The University of Auckland can be found at. http://www.uniservices.co.nz/ or http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of the Company could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including the expected benefits and costs of the transaction; management plans relating to the transaction; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including the Company's ability to successfully utilize or otherwise make available electric vehicle battery charging technology to third parties on commercially satisfactory terms and conditions; any statements of expectation or belief, including the Company's expectations with respect to the commitment for a long-term research and development arrangement with Auckland UniServices; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the expected benefits may not materialize as expected; assumptions concerning the strength and utility of the intellectual property acquired in the transaction; the possibility that the Company is unable to successfully integrate the HaloIPT team with the Company's other wireless power efforts; the possibility that the Company is unable to successfully utilize or otherwise make available electric vehicle battery charging technology to third parties on commercially satisfactory terms and conditions; whether the commitment between the Company and Auckland UniServices with respect to a long-term research and development arrangement to promote continued innovation in the field of wireless charging for electric road vehicles by way of inductive power transfer provides commercially beneficial results in a timely manner on satisfactory terms and conditions; as well as the other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 25, 2011. The Company undertakes no obligation to update, or continue to provide information with respect to, any forward-looking statement or risk factor, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PRESS RELEASE
First Electric Vehicle Wireless Charging Trial Announced for London
LONDON – November 10, 2011 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced the first Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial for London in what is a UK and industry-leading initiative. Qualcomm is collaborating with the UK Government, as well as the Mayor of London's office and Transport for London (TfL) to deliver the trial.
The pre-commercial trial is expected to start in early 2012 and will involve as many as 50 electric vehicles (EVs). The trial will use Qualcomm wireless inductive power transfer technology that enables high-efficiency power transfer across a large air gap. It is very easy to use: the driver simply parks the vehicle in the usual way and the system automatically aligns for power transfer, making parking easier and charging hassle free.
The trial, which will be based partially in Tech City, the East London cluster receiving the strong support of the Prime Minister, is planned to leverage the Tech City entrepreneurial community and encourage companies to innovate around services and applications, in order to enhance the smart EV experience.
Prime Minister David Cameron said, "This wireless charging technology is a giant leap forward for the electric car industry and I am delighted that London businesses will be among the first to benefit from the trial. Creative, high-tech advances such as this are extremely important as we work to rebalance our economy, and the decision to trial this at Tech City shows confidence in the UK as an ideal place for innovation and investment."
"This trial is a great example of how vehicle recharging could work in the future. This private sector investment shows how innovative solutions will help ensure electric cars are a real option for motorists," said Justine Greening, secretary of state for transport. "This project supplements the £30 million Government fund to kick-start installation of recharging points in eight areas across the country."
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said, "In my quest to deliver cleaner air for the capital, I want London to be the electric car epicenter of Europe. Encouraging a massive uptake in electric driving is key to this vision of becoming a zero-emission city. We are already on this path with Transport for London delivering a citywide charging network, but we need to go further. This trial is an innovative new facet of my plans, with the promise to help drivers go electric with even greater confidence."
"Qualcomm is very pleased to be participating in the London WEVC pre-commercial trial, which builds on the existing trials of electric vehicles sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles in the UK," said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president of European Innovation Development at Qualcomm. "Wireless charging eradicates the EV plug-in cable and makes charging of electric vehicles simple and easy for drivers."
Addison Lee, the UK's largest minicab company, and Chargemaster plc, the leading European operator of advanced EV charging infrastructure, have also agreed to participate in the WEVC London trial.
"As a company with a keen eye on the future, we believe that the WEVC London trial will provide unique insights into how wirelessly charged electric vehicles could be used in our business," said John Griffin, chairman, Addison Lee.
"We are delighted to be part of this exciting wireless EV/PHEV charging program," said David Martell, chief executive of Chargemaster plc. "The London trial will complement our existing electric vehicle infrastructure programs and keep London and the UK at the forefront of electric vehicle charging technology."
A Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging steering committee with representatives from TfL, the Mayor's office, and central Government will be set up to oversee the trial. The trial is open to any company, such as vehicle manufacturers, that wishes to participate. Companies should register their interest at www.wevc.com
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
