Dueling with the tangled cord of a phone's in-car charger could soon be a thing of the past for some 2013 Toyota Avalon drivers.
Toyota-affiliated supplier Denso has created an integrated in-vehicle wireless phone charger with Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions so drivers with compatible phones can forget about wired charging.
The technology debuts in the gasoline-powered and hybrid versions of the 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited sedan.
To use wireless charging, users place their phones on or near any Qi-enabled surface. Qi is the global standard for wireless and electronic charging. In the case of the Avalon Limited, this charging surface is located inside the center console.
Many smartphones that will go on sale in 2013 and beyond will include a Qi-compatible chip. So far 34 mobile phone models have Qi wireless integration.
"Considering the increasing usage of smartphones in vehicle connectivity, we wanted to bring a convenient charging solution to consumers that eliminates cords and connections," said Bill Foy, vice president of Toyota sales for Denso International America Inc.
Toyota controls 22.5 percent of Denso International's Japanese parent company, Denso Corp.
Toyota described the Avalon Limited's charging unit as a "high-friction" surface that keeps the phone from slipping off.
Randy Stephens, chief engineer of Toyota Avalon, said in a statement: "Pioneering the ability to charge with no wires or connectors by simply putting devices in the car console is an intuitive innovation."
