STMicroelectronics partners with indie Semiconductor to strengthen security for in-car wireless charging

STMicroelectronics has introduced the STSAFE-V100-Qi secure element to strengthen privacy and security when charging car occupants’ portable devices. ST also revealed its collaboration with indie Semiconductor (Nasdaq: INDI), a pure-play automotive semiconductor company, to integrate the new secure element in indie’s Qi wireless in-car charging reference design.

ST’s new IC enables in-car charging to meet the latest Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) specifications, which call for protection by a secure element. It is also certified to the highest level of security applicable for Qi chargers, common criteria (CC) EAL4+, ensuring heightened cybersecurity protection.

ST’s secure element families are proven to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of information and devices in security-conscious applications such as banking, ticketing, and identity protection, and in this Qi wireless-charging reference design, contribute to optimized charging and safety in an automotive application.

Customized for Qi charging at ST’s factory, the STSAFE-V100-Qi also supports secure boot, secure storage, and secure software update. This extra safeguarding strengthens protection against risks such as remote tampering, counterfeiting, and copying. Designed with secure software updates, the IC ensures a high level of security for the life of the vehicle.

“indie’s advanced Qi standards-based wireless charging silicon solutions enhance the overall in-cabin user experience, bringing convenient portable device charging to vehicles across all segment classes,” commented Fred Jarrar, Vice President and General Manager of indie Semiconductor’s Power and USB product lines. “ST’s secure element brings the highest level of cybersecurity protection to our reference design, enabling brand protection for our automotive customers and safety, security and reassurance for vehicle occupants.”

“By integrating our STSAFE-V100-Qi, the reference design meets the latest WPC specification and Common Criteria EAL4+ to assure protection of charging devices at up to 15W,” said Laurent Degauque, Marketing Director, Connected Security, STMicroelectronics. “As a result, indie’s customers benefit from a powerful combination of a high-quality charging system with the highest level of security.”