Panasonic Automotive Streamlines Vehicle Bluetooth Pairing with Patent Pending Friction Free Connectivity Solution

With over 69 million U.S. drivers using their smartphone at least once a day while operating their vehicle(1), Panasonic Automotive is enhancing hands-free adoption in automotive applications

News provided by

Panasonic Corporation of North America

May 02, 2019, 10:05 ET

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Automotive, the leading global supplier of automotive infotainment and connectivity systems solutions, presented its new Friction Free Connectivity solution, a more secure and convenient way to automatically pair your mobile device to your vehicle, to members of congress at the 2019 CES on the Hill event held in Washington D.C.

According to the 2018 JD Powers Initial Quality Study, Bluetooth Connectivity problems were ranked as the second most recurring issue in new vehicles. Panasonic Automotive has found that current connection issues include technical complexity during initial pairing, maintaining connection and overall security concerns.

Panasonic Automotive's Friction Free Connectivity is a Bluetooth pairing via Wi-Fi solution. It requires a smartphone app for a one-time secure setup. The new vehicle owner registers within the smartphone app via a streamlined log-in process and then establishes rights to their vehicle using a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This setup is expected to dramatically improve hands-free adoption rates seen today. The solution can be integrated into existing vehicle manufacturer applications and can even be integrated into ride-sharing and rental car apps for easy automatic Bluetooth pairing while traveling.

The Friction Free Connectivity pairing solution offers enhanced security with its ability to cryptographically trust both the user and the vehicle, making it very difficult for "drive-by-pairing" or accidentally connecting to the wrong vehicle.

U.S. municipalities ticket drivers for operating a mobile phone while driving. Sixteen states have passed laws requiring the use of hands-free technology while driving, and seven others impose some level of restriction. However, even with these restrictions, according to the 2019 Zendrive "Distracted Driving Snapshot" study, 60% of motorists use their mobile phone while driving.

"Bluetooth is nearly standard today with 86% of new vehicles coming equipped with the technology. However, the complexity of the pairing platform is a barrier to adoption, which perpetuates distracted drivers to the roadways," said Jeffrey Zellen, Senior Engineering Manager, Panasonic Automotive. "We have developed a solution that is not only secure, but that is a one-and-done pairing solution that makes it very easy for drivers to utilize."

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a division company of Panasonic Corporation of North America and is a leading global supplier of automotive infotainment and connectivity system solutions. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America acts as the North American affiliate of Panasonic Corp.'s Automotive Company, which coordinates global automotive and industrial systems and components operations. Panasonic Automotive is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, with sales, marketing and engineering operations in Farmington Hills, Mich. For more information on Panasonic Automotive, please visit: http://us.panasonic.com/automotive.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy, Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation. One of Interbrand's Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2018, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic's ideas and innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us and @PanasonicUSA on all social channels.

(1) Zendrive "Distracted Driving Snapshot", 2019

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America