HighTec EDV-Systeme, Elektrobit and Infineon Technologies have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating automotive software innovation by enabling the integration of Rust applications with AUTOSAR Classic basic software.

As ecosystem partners within Infineon Technologies’ Drive Core for its AURIX™ microcontrollers, HighTec and Elektrobit are jointly launching a development bundle designed to simplify and accelerate software development for the automotive industry. The bundle includes Elektrobit’s EB tresos AutoCore and HighTec’s automotive-grade LLVM-based Rust and C/C++ compiler, specifically tailored for the AURIX TC4x families of microcontrollers.

Through this close integration, embedded software developers will gain seamless access to all necessary tools and software in a single package. The solution is geared towards enabling the use of Rust for functional safety applications, even in the most complex automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs).

Rust is increasingly being recognised as a critical programming language in automotive environments due to its performance, reliability and memory safety. Its strong safety attributes are especially relevant as the industry shifts toward software-defined vehicles and prepares for evolving cybersecurity and functional safety regulations such as UN R155 and the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

By combining HighTec’s ISO 26262 ASIL D-certified Rust compiler with Elektrobit’s AUTOSAR Classic basic software, the collaboration enables a hybrid development model. This allows new software components developed in Rust to operate alongside existing C/C++ code, reducing risk while maintaining compliance with stringent safety standards.

The Drive Core software bundle for Infineon’s AURIX TC4x includes the complete toolchain to start development: EB tresos configuration tool, Infineon MCALs and an extensive set of examples and tutorials for building AUTOSAR components in Rust.

Additionally, Elektrobit’s EB tresos has been enhanced to support clean and efficient Rust development, aiming to minimise or eliminate the need for "unsafe" code. The integration offers a robust toolchain capable of generating system-access code while also supporting advanced static analysis tools like Rust’s Clippy and automatic code formatting. This strengthens safety assurance and improves development productivity.

HighTec’s Rust and C/C++ compiler, based on the well-established LLVM open-source framework, is the first Rust compiler developed specifically for Infineon’s AURIX TC3x and TC4x microcontrollers. It includes advanced architecture-specific optimisations and a rapid build system designed to facilitate the development and certification of safety-critical software.

Infineon, which boasts the industry’s largest Microcontroller Abstraction Layer portfolio, continues to embrace an ecosystem approach to foster innovation and scalability. Its Drive Core software bundles are designed to provide foundational support for modern automotive software development, combining microcontrollers, basic software and extensive tool support into a cohesive development platform.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in the integration of modern programming languages like Rust into traditional automotive software frameworks, aligning with the industry's growing focus on safety, security and performance.

Patrick Will, Senior Director of Automotive Software, Infineon, said, "We believe that Drive Core is a game-changer for the automotive industry, and we are excited to see companies such as HighTec and Elektrobit leveraging it to drive innovation."

Florian Bartels, Senior Expert and System Architect at Elektrobit, said, “By taking Rust to the AUTOSAR Classic environment, Elektrobit continues to drive innovation in the automotive software industry. Rust’s inherent safety features and its seamless integration into existing AUTOSAR Classic environments make it a perfect fit for modern ECU development, enabling developers to create reliable, secure and high-performance automotive software.”

Mario Cupelli, CTO, HighTec, said, “Our partnership with Elektrobit empowers automotive customers to build safer and more efficient software solutions. By offering our proven Rust compiler along with Elektrobit’s tools in a comprehensive bundle, we give automotive suppliers and OEMs a competitive edge.”

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TIP Group has announced the appointment of Maurice Meijer to the newly established position of Chief Digital and Information Officer. This strategic role underscores the increasing significance of digital innovation, data management and technology in advancing the company’s long-term Strategy 2030 objectives. As TIP expands its footprint as a comprehensive transportation services provider across 17 European nations, the integration of digital solutions is viewed as essential to fostering operational efficiency, business growth and superior customer engagement.

In his capacity as CDIO, Meijer will lead the formulation and execution of the group’s digital and technological roadmap. His responsibilities encompass overseeing digital platforms, enhancing data analytics capabilities, managing IT infrastructure and strengthening cybersecurity protocols. The goal is to build resilient, scalable systems that align with TIP’s future ambitions.

Meijer joins with a robust background in board-level technology leadership. He previously served as Chief Technology and Information Officer at Nederlandse Loterij, where he spearheaded major digital transformations across various brands and platforms. Prior to that, he held key roles in digital strategy, product development and operations within both the technology sector and public institutions. Additionally, he is involved in supporting early-stage tech startups as an investor and founding partner.

His educational credentials include executive programmes at Nyenrode University and INSEAD, along with a degree in international business management. Meijer is recognised for blending strategic commercial insight with practical technological expertise.

Arjen Kraaij, President & CEO, TIP Group, said, “Digitalisation is central to TIP’s future success. With Maurice, we are bringing in a strong business and technology leader who will help us simplify complexity, strengthen our digital foundations and accelerate execution across the Group. His leadership will be instrumental as we translate our Strategy 2030 ambitions into practical, value-creating solutions for our customers and our teams.”

Meijer said, “I’m really looking forward to joining TIP at this important stage in its journey. With strong foundations, great people and clear ambitions under Strategy 2030, there’s a lot to build on. At the same time, we’re ready to take the next step by accelerating our shift towards more digital solutions. By embracing digital, data and AI in a focused and practical way, we’ll turn opportunities into solutions that truly improve the customer experience and make day-to-day work simpler, smarter and more effective for both our customers and our teams.”

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Swedish battery technology firm Holyvolt has finalised the acquisition of US-based materials specialist Wildcat Discovery Technologies in a deal valued at USD 73 million. The transaction consists of a combination of cash, equity and deferred milestone payments.

The merger integrates Wildcat’s High Throughput Platform (HTP) for material synthesis with Holyvolt’s water-based screen-printing production processes. The combined entity intends to operate as a technology development partner for the automotive, aerospace and energy storage sectors, offering licensing and pilot-scale production services.

Wildcat’s HTP system allows for the simultaneous screening of thousands of material combinations. This method is reported to be up to 10 times faster than standard research and development protocols, generating terabyte-scale datasets suitable for machine learning and AI applications.

Key capabilities of the integrated group include:

• Material Discovery: Use of combinatorial chemistry to identify optimal battery systems.
• Manufacturing Process: Holyvolt’s water-based processing serves as a replacement for conventional organic solvent-based slurries.
• Data-Driven Optimisation: Integration of structured datasets into AI models to accelerate development cycles.
• Sustainability: Focus on cobalt- and nickel-free materials to reduce capital requirements and supply chain dependencies.

The acquisition follows a EUR 20 million funding round for Holyvolt. The new group aims to address production costs and supply chain independence in Europe and North America by combining chemistry expertise with modular manufacturing technology.

Mathias Ingvarsson, Founder & CEO, Holyvolt, said, “The acquisition of Wildcat is a perfect complement to our intended strategy of developing new technologies for the battery industry. Holyvolt is focused on developing new processes to make batteries cleaner and more affordable, and Wildcat has been pursuing the same goals via materials development and better chemistry. Combined, we are building what we believe is the most compelling technology to deliver on these objectives.”

Mark Gresser, President and CEO, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, stated, “The Wildcat team is thrilled with this acquisition by Holyvolt. Mathias and team are very thoughtful with regard to their objectives in the battery industry, and recognise the value that Wildcat’s High Throughput Platform can deliver to our combined company and the industry at large. With Holyvolt’s vision and financial backing, Wildcat can finally unlock the true potential of high throughput combinatorial chemistry for battery materials.”

Prof. Peter Schultz, Founder, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, noted, “With Holyvolt, we can do for batteries what high throughput and AI have done for drug discovery.”

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Chinese automotive major BYD has revealed its second-generation Blade Battery alongside FLASH Charging technology, aimed at improving charging speeds and battery performance in low temperatures.

The system achieves a claimed charge from 10 percent to 70 percent state of charge (SOC) in five minutes, and reaches 97 percent in nine minutes. In temperatures of -30deg C, the charging time from 20 percent to 97 perrcent increases by three minutes compared to performance at room temperature.

The second-generation Blade Battery increases energy density by 5 percent over the previous version. To manage thermal loads during rapid charging, BYD integrated a ‘Lithium-Ion High-Speed Channel’ and a thermal management system.

Key technical specifications include:

• Range: The Denza Z9GT, equipped with this battery, achieves a range of 1,036 km.
• Thermal Management: Full-spectrum systems to regulate heat dissipation.
• Safety Standards: The battery has passed national safety tests regarding puncture and thermal runaway.
• Infrastructure: A world-leading single-connector output of 1500 kW.

BYD plans to build 20,000 FLASH Charging Stations in China by end-2026, with a global rollout scheduled to follow. These stations will feature a pulley-based charger design to improve user ergonomics and keep cables off the ground.

To manage the high-power requirements of 1500 kW charging, the stations use energy storage systems to buffer the demand, reducing the load on the local power grid.

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Horse Powertrain, a global leader in advanced and low-emission powertrain solutions, has unveiled its new Amorphous Motor technology, marking a significant step forward in hybrid transmission systems. The innovation was introduced to the public for the first time at the IAA Summit 2025.

Central to the motor’s design is the use of amorphous steel, a material known for its exceptional strength, durability and magnetic properties. This material allows the company to significantly reduce the thickness of the steel laminations used in the motor’s stator. While traditional motors use steel sheets of a standard thickness, the layers in the Amorphous Motor are only 0.025 mm thick, roughly one-tenth of the conventional standard.

This ultra-thin construction, combined with the material’s high conductivity, leads to a 50 percent reduction in stator iron losses compared to similar designs. Consequently, the motor achieves a record-setting efficiency of 98.2 percent, all while delivering a maximum output of 140 kW and 360 Nm of torque.

The practical impact for hybrid vehicles is a one percent improvement in overall fuel and energy efficiency. This reduction in consumption supports automotive manufacturers in their efforts to develop a new wave of lower-emission models. This breakthrough is part of a broader strategy by Horse Powertrain to advance hybrid and combustion technologies through a technologically neutral approach to decarbonisation. The company’s global capabilities, which include 17 manufacturing sites, five research and development centres and a workforce of 19,000, continue to drive this series of high-efficiency innovations.

Ingo Scholten, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Horse Powertrain, said, “This latest innovation demonstrates Horse Powertrain’s continued commitment to research and development, providing suppliers and OEMs with the tools to raise the bar on when it comes to fuel economy and emissions performance. The Amorphous Motor is an ideal tool to power a new generation of high-efficiency range extended EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids, ensuring these technologies continue to play a substantial role in automotive’s decarbonisation journey.”

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