Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Kymeta Links With Intelsat On Connected Cars

Redmond, Washignton-based satellite antenna technology provider Kymeta is expanding the application of its technology to the automotive market, saying this morning that it has inked a deal with satellite services provider Intelsat S.A., to use its technology in connected cars. Kymeta--which raised a big, $62M funding round Monday--will offer up its antenna technology to help drive advancements in connected cars, including autonomous driving, according to the companies. Kymeta's satellite antenna uses electronic steering to acquire and track Ku-band satellites, something which has been done in the past with expensive, problematic mechanical components; the deal is the first announced by Kymeta in the connected car space, and follows similar deals in the marine and aviation market. The two companies said they have already completed an 8,000 mile demonstration test using a Kymeta-enabled car, showing the tracking of Intelsat's Ku-band satellite signals while moving.