SAE International has selected the MAHLE positioning system as a global standard solution for wireless vehicle charging. The positioning system is designed to align the vehicle precisely over the charging coil on the ground.
SAE International, which is a non-profit, internationally recognized association, selects MAHLE’s solution as a global standard, filling the gap that was opened over the past 10 years. The MAHLE Differential Inductive Positioning System (DIPS) is based on a magnetic field and automatically establishes a connection with the charging point.
The system is accompanied by a special navigation system, which comes incorporated within the electric vehicle, helping the driver to locate and precisely park the vehicle over the charging point. Once parked, the charging starts automatically, without the need to plug in any cable. It is worth mentioning that the system also works in unfavourable conditions like the accumulation of snow or leaves on the base plate.
For the mass adoption of wireless vehicle charging technology, standardisation of components with respect to both infrastructure and vehicle technology is crucial. The standardisation of charging equipment across vehicle makes and brakes will ensure compatibility across the infrastructure.
In an effort to achieve mass compatibility, MAHLE will offer its solution to the entire industry via a license model under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) conditions. MAHLE also reveals that the broad acceptance of wireless vehicle charging will also enable dynamic applications in the future such as wireless charging on the go via induction coils.
“With Siemens and Witricity, we have two strong partners at our side with whom we can jointly advance the overall system of charging infrastructure and vehicle technology,” said Dr Harald Straky, Head of Central Corporate Research and Advanced Development at MAHLE.
The approval from SAE International solidifies the efforts made by MAHLE towards achieving the standardisation of wireless vehicle charging. Speaking more about SAE International, over 128,000 engineers and technology experts from the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries are organized in SAE International. The organisation is also responsible for global technology standards like vehicle identification numbers (VIN).