American automaker General Motors revealed a groundbreaking development on Friday with the acquisition of Israeli battery software startup ALGOLiON Ltd. The strategic move aims to bolster electric vehicle battery health maintenance through the innovative technology ALGOLiON developed.
GM’s ALGOLiON acquisition signals its commitment to delivering an exceptional driving experience to its global customer base while embracing the electric vehicle revolution.
Pioneering technology for battery health
ALGOLiON, founded in 2014 by battery experts Niles Fleischer, Ph.D., and Alex Nimberger, Ph.D., has developed a breakthrough battery hazard detection and prevention software named AlgoShield.
This proprietary software employs quantitative algorithms, enabling the early detection of irregularities in EV battery cell performance.
What sets AlgoShield apart is its ability to determine minuscule changes in battery health, providing warnings weeks before other conventional methods without additional hardware and sensors.
GM’s pursuit of advanced battery technology has led to its latest acquisition of ALGOLiON’s assets.
By integrating AlgoShield into its EVs, GM seeks to deliver an early-warning battery hazard detection system to millions of customers worldwide.
This move aligns with the automaker’s mission to revolutionize the electric vehicle market and provide drivers with the peace of mind that their batteries are in optimal condition.
GM’s newly founded Technology Acceleration and Commercialization (TAC) organization orchestrated the acquisition deal.
For those unaware, this organization is responsible for identifying new technologies that can aid GM’s EV batteries.
“ALGOLiON has developed cutting edge battery analytics and prediction software that will help General Motors deliver great performing EVs for our customers.”
Gil Golan, TAC Vice President
Speaking on behalf of the ALGOLiON team, Dr. Niles Fleischer expressed excitement about the collaboration.
“The ALGOLiON team is excited to join GM on its track to an all-electric vehicle future. We found the right home for our technology to play an integral role in maintaining healthy batteries for exciting products and reach customers globally.”
Niles Fleischer, Ph.D., ALGOLiON Co-Founder
Global impact and collaborative efforts
GM’s dedication to advancing EV technology extends beyond this acquisition.
ALGOLiON’s employees will continue to reside in Israel. However, they will now join GM’s Technical Training Center in Herzliya, Israel.
Notably, the expertise of the ALGOLiON team encompasses a diverse array of crucial technological domains, perfectly aligning with GM’s forward-thinking objectives and commitment to driving innovation in the electric vehicle industry. These include the following:
- Machine Learning (ML): ALGOLiON’s team brings invaluable proficiency in machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence that empowers systems to learn and improve from experience without explicit programming. By harnessing ML algorithms, GM can unlock deeper insights from vast amounts of data collected from its EVs, further enhancing efficiency, range, and overall vehicle performance.
- Software-Defined Vehicles: The concept of software-defined vehicles represents a revolutionary shift in the automotive industry, transforming cars into dynamic platforms that can adapt and improve over time through software updates. ALGOLiON’s expertise in this area can help GM develop sophisticated over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities.
- Cybersecurity: ALGOLiON’s team possesses a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, enabling them to develop cutting-edge solutions to protect GM’s EVs from potential cyber threats.
- User-Facing Solutions for Autonomous and Electric Vehicles: ALGOLiON’s team brings valuable insights into creating intuitive and seamless user interfaces, enhancing the overall driving experience for GM’s customers. Whether developing user-friendly infotainment systems or integrating advanced driver-assistance features, their expertise will contribute to EVs’ continued adoption and acceptance among consumers.
However, these are just the possible benefit of ALGOLiON’s presence in GM’s Herzliya Technical Training Center. The automaker has not yet mentioned any additional plans apart from the AlgoShield.
Expansion of EV battery production
The acquisition coincides with GM’s recent announcement of a new EV battery plant, the fourth of its kind, in collaboration with Samsung SDI.
This $3 billion facility will significantly boost GM’s battery cell capacity, exceeding 130 GWh when all four plants operate at full capacity.
These battery cells will power GM’s lineup of electric vehicles based on the Ultium platform, cementing the automaker’s position as a key player in the electrification movement.
GM’s strides toward electrification are evident with the imminent launch of three new Ultium electric models by the end of the year. The Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV are poised to take the automotive market by storm, revolutionizing the driving experience and solidifying GM’s position at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation.
See Also:
- General Motors, Samsung SDI to invest over $3 billion in a US battery plant
- General Motors to halt Chevy Bolt EV/EUV production by the end of 2023
- General Motors leads $50 million funding round in EnergyX for lithium supply in the US
- General Motors launches its Dealer Community Charging Program
- General Motors installs the first of 40,000 new electric vehicle chargers
As the race to transform the automotive industry intensifies, GM’s acquisition of ALGOLiON highlights its commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver superior electric vehicles. With its vision for sustainable transportation and innovative solutions, GM is set to reshape the future of driving as we know it.
