The acquisition of ALGOLiON Ltd., led by GM’s newly-formed Technology Acceleration and Commercialization (TAC) organization, will help the OEM bring new battery technologies to market faster, it said in a press release.
ALGOLiON, founded in 2014, has “developed sophisticated software that uses data streams from EV Battery management systems to help identify anomalies in cell performance,” GM said in a press release.
The OEM added: “[By doing so, it can] ensure proper vehicle health management and provide early detection of battery hazards including thermal runaway propagation events.”
The startup’s software uses algorithms to detect changes that could affect battery health weeks earlier than other methods currently on the market, GM said, adding it does not require additional hardware or sensors while the battery is functioning.
“ALGOLiON has developed cutting edge battery analytics and prediction software that will help General Motors deliver great performing EVs for our customers,” said Gil Golan, vice president, TAC.
GM added that its experience bringing products to market at scale, coupled with ALOGLiON’s software, can bring an early hazard detection system to customers at an accelerated rate.
The automaker did not share terms of the acquisition, including how much it paid for the Israel-based startup, but said all of ALOGLiON’s 850 employees will be transferred to the GM Technical Center in Herzliya, Israel.
Its technical center focuses on advanced technologies such as software and algorithms, machine learning, software-defined vehicles, cyber security, and connected vehicles.
GM is among a number of automakers ramping up efforts to both secure EV battery supplies and improve the quality or longevity of their batteries.
Stellanis is building EV battery plants in Kokomo, Indiana, and Ontario, Canada, and is expected to open another in France by the end of the year. Stellanis CEO Carlos Tavares told reporters in May that one or two additional plants would be needed in the U.S. to meet demand, according to a Reuters report.
Last month, Toyota announced that it would invest nearly $50 million to build a new facility at its U.S. headquarters to evaluate batteries for electric vehicles in North America.
It said the intent was to ensure its batteries meet performance, quality, and durability requirements. Operations at its lab are expected to begin in 2025.
Toyota said it would also work with other North American suppliers to incorporate locally-produced battery parts and materials in its vehicles.
“With increasing production for electrification coming to North America, it’s important to have local supporting infrastructure, but more importantly it enables us to invest in team members and technology development,” said Jordan Choby, group vice president of powertrain for Toyota North America’s research and development team.
“This new facility also enables us to experiment and pursue new opportunities as technology and business needs advance.”
Toyota executives also said last month that the OEM is working to develop a lithium-ion battery with more than 600 miles of range by 2026. It said it hopes to offer vehicles with a solid-state battery range of nearly 750 miles by 2028.
Also last month, Aston Martin announced it was partnering with Lucid to create the world’s “most thrilling and highly desirable electric performance cars.
The automakers said Lucid would give Aston Martin access to its powertrain technology, technical support, and supplies with the goal of strengthening the British automaker’s EV strategy and long-term growth.
