Ricardo, a consultancy business specializing in powertrain and vehicle engineering, has licensed Qualcomm’s Halo wireless EV charging (WEVC) technology. Ricardo plans to develop, make and supply WEVC systems for automobile manufacturers.

Ricardo sees WEVC as an enabling technology that will drive mass adoption of plug-in vehicles by simplifying charging. Qualcomm subsidiaries will provide technical expertise and comprehensive engineering support for Ricardo to develop commercially viable WEVC systems.

“Wireless charging is a potentially very promising enabler for more widespread adoption of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles,” said Ricardo CEO Dave Shemmans. “Through the agreement announced today, Ricardo is now able to engineer solutions based on Qualcomm Halo technology, as an integral part of our own portfolio of low- and zero-emission vehicle technologies.”

“Ricardo brings a wealth of automotive engineering expertise and a real focus on performance, advanced engineering solutions, and a deep understanding of the direction the automobile industry is headed,” said Steve Pazol, Qualcomm VP and General Manager, Wireless Charging. “This collaboration further strengthens the Qualcomm Halo automotive supply chain, providing options for WEVC both to the traditional automakers and the burgeoning EV entrants.”

Source: Qualcomm, Ricardo