Harman International, a US-based automotive electronics brand under Samsung Electronics since 2017, will supply a digital cockpit based on the Korean electronics giant’s 5G technology to Japanese carmaker Toyota. According to the automobile industry on Monday, Harman signed a final supply contract on a 5G digital dashboard with Toyota, a similar cockpit it has been supplying to BMW iX all-electric SUV since last year. Specific details on what model and contract value have not been disclosed, but the industry estimates the supply to be worth around 100 billion won ($76.27 million).
Telematics works as a communication hub in a vehicle connected with wireless communication and global positioning systems. It provides different functions, including traffic information, emergency rescue for a car accident, and location tracking for a stolen car. It is used to update or download different car operating software and multimedia content. It plays an essential role in automated and connected vehicles. Harman moved beyond telematics components to develop a digital cockpit crucial in EVs based on Samsung’s 5G technology. The solution was mounted on BMW iX all-electric SUV for the first time.
The feat expands the company’s client base beyond U.S. and Europe. Harman International posted 600 billion won in operating profit last year, the highest performance since Samsung’s acquisition in 2017, despite the chip shortage issue. It raised 100 billion won in operating profit in the first quarter.
Recently, Harman broke through the Japanese Toyota barrier, which is famous for its strict quality control standards. It has succeeded in supplying telematics equipment, which is the core of electronics and its components, beyond the current car audio solutions delivery. Harman developed telematics equipment by applying Samsung electronics’ latest 5G technology. According to industry reports, this order successfully won in a way that minimises the overall cost that Toyota has to pay for the patents held by Samsung Electronics.
