New-Tech Europe | Oct 2016 | Special Edition For Electronica 2016

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Canatu, the leading manufacturer of 3D formable and flexible transparent conductive films and touch sensors, and Faurecia, a global automotive interior systemmanufacturer, have deepened ties. The two companies have signed a Joint Development Agreement. Faurecia was also the latest significant investor for Canatu in its recent funding round which totaled 22 million euros. The collaboration is being announced at The Paris Motor Show 2016 where Canatu is exhibiting alongside Faurecia at their Open Innovation Corner. By joining forces, Canatu and Faurecia aspire to enhance automotive interior systems by providing the industry with innovative automotive user interfaces and novel functional automotive interior parts with tactile functionality. Canatu’s enabler material along with Faurecia’s visionary modular systems provide automotive interior designers total design freedom to use free form shapes for tactile functions that are in strong demand for the center console and dashboard. The companies will develop, integrate, and verify the necessary technologies to be able to adapt them into automotive programs. Mobile Communications business, but continue to operate independently under its existing leadership. “Unlike other existing AI-based services, Viv has a sophisticated natural language understanding, machine learning capabilities and strategic partnerships that will enrich a broader service ecosystem,” said Injong Rhee, CTO of the Mobile Communications business at Samsung Electronics. “Viv was built with both consumers and developers in mind. This dual focus is also what attracted us to Viv as an ideal candidate to integrate with Samsung home appliances, wearables and more, as the paradigm of how we interact with technology shifts to intelligent interfaces and voice control.” With the rise of AI, consumers now desire an interaction with technology that is conversational, personalized and contextual—an experience that fits seamlessly within their everyday lives. To achieve this, Viv has developed a new and proprietary platform that allows this interaction to scale. Viv’s platform also allows developers to teach the system how to create new applications or to use existing applications, building an open ecosystem of intelligence that is greater

Canatu’s films and touch sensors are based on its enabler material CNB™ (Carbon NanoBud®) which offer unique stretch properties. CNB products provide designers total design freedom by providing a clear path to the replacement of mechanical controls with 3D shaped touch sensors and seamless touch displays. Faurecia is one of the world leaders in automotive interior systems including complete modules for car cockpits, instrument panels, door panels and center consoles. Faurecia works with all leading automotive manufacturers and is developing technologies for the cockpit of the future. “Touch is a very natural and intuitive way of interacting and will become ubiquitous in the car interior. Our products enable interactive solutions and finishes for automobiles never seen before. The design freedom now possible will without doubt thrill designers. The breadth and depth of experience Faurecia has acquired has impressed us, and we are proud to have our CNB Film to be a key enabler in bringing Faurecia’s visions of Smart Surfaces and Intuitive Connectivity into life”, says CEO Juha Kokkonen from Canatu. Samsung’s Global Innovation Center spearheaded the acquisition for Samsung’s Mobile Communications business. “At GIC we’re always looking for startups with a compelling vision and breakthrough experiences we can help build, grow and scale,” said Jacopo Lenzi, SVP of Business Development and Strategic Acquisitions. “We see great potential in the Viv AI software and platform, and we’re excited for Viv to reach our millions of users through Samsung’s global presence and distribution.” than the sum of its parts and gets smarter every day. Viv’s superior platform combined with Samsung’s leading devices, services and global resources will help drive the next generation of AI solutions. “At Viv, we’re building the simplest way for anyone to talk to devices and services everywhere. We see a future that is decidedly beyond apps—where you can get what you need quickly and easily no matter where you are, or what device you are near,” said Viv co-founder and CEO, Dag Kittlaus. “Samsung offers us a unique opportunity to deliver a single conversational interface to the world’s apps and services across a diverse range of products, at global scale.”

Faurecia Invests in Canatu and Deepens Ties by Choosing Canatu as Innovation Partner

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