For this system, Panasonic develops electronic toll collection (ETC) 2.0 with wireless communication technology while Ficosa is in charge of the mirror technology
This vision solution will be developed and produced between Japan (Panasonic) and Spain (Ficosa)
25 March 2019.– Ficosa, a top-tier global provider devoted to the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of high-technology vision, safety, connectivity and efficiency systems for the automotive and mobility sectors, and Panasonic announced an agreement with BMW to provide their co-developed Interior rear-view mirror with electronic toll collection (ETC) 2.0 for the new X5 model in Japan.
The ETC 2.0 Interior rear-view mirror, which includes an improved built-in unit for motorway tolls automatic payment, has been selected by the German manufacturer as a standard in Japan for its new BMW X5, which was released there on February 27th of this year. This vision solution will be developed and produced between Japan (Panasonic) and Barcelona, Spain (Ficosa).
For this new product generation, which follows previous successful launch of co-developed electronic rear-view mirrors and telematics control units, Panasonic develops ETC wireless communication technology while Ficosa is in charge of the mirror technology.
In this regard, this solution, which integrates the ETC 2.0 module into the mirror, prevents the unit from obstructing the driver’s view and makes fully inserted card to be difficult to be seen from outside thanks to its card slot located at the side of the mirror.
A solution that integrates the know-how of Ficosa and Panasonic
Intended for the Japanese market, this rearview mirror allows to manage the payment of highway tolls due to the integration of an electronic toll system with credit card. In that sense, the mirror has a slot to insert the credit card and incorporates a small screen at the top that reports the amount to be paid. Mercedes Pujol, Director of the Rearview Mirror Systems Business Unit at Ficosa, explains “this additional functionality goes beyond the simple payment, as the mirror communicates with the toll station and is able to transmit this information to the navigation system of the vehicle, complementing the communication vehicle-infrastructure (V2I)”.
Ficosa and Panasonic will continue to move forward with their collaborations to expand their line-up and sales of jointly developed products for OEMs.
About Ficosa
Ficosa is a global company devoted to the creation of high-technology vision, safety, efficiency and connectivity solutions for the industry, with the desire to contribute to society through our commitment to technological innovation, human values and energy efficiency. Founded in 1949 and based in Barcelona, Ficosa currently has more than 10,500 employees in 19 countries worldwide in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa, with consolidated sales of €1.208 billion in 2017. The rear-view system (interior/side mirror) is Ficosa’s main business, known worldwide and recognised by top global OEMs. www.ficosa.com.
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018, has expanded globally and now operates 591 subsidiaries and 88 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of Euro 61.4 billion for the year ended March 31, 2018. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better
