The automotive industry is on the cusp of a revolution, with technologies like personalized autonomous driving reshaping our travel experiences, and offering tailored, driverless journeys. Augmented Reality (AR) is enhancing safety and navigation through advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), providing real-time, interactive guidance. The emergence of vertically integrated EV Platforms signifies a streamlined approach to EV production, promising efficiency and sustainability. AI-powered remote car inspection is another groundbreaking development, enabling detailed vehicle checks from afar, and revolutionizing maintenance and diagnostics.
Additionally, EV range extension technology is addressing one of the biggest challenges in electric vehicles, significantly increasing travel distances. Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are also making headway, offering eco-friendly alternatives with their innovative energy use. Lastly, customized car designing allows for unprecedented personalization in vehicle aesthetics and functionality. Join us as we explore these dynamic automotive startups taking these technologies forward in 2024 and beyond!
20 Automotive Startups to Watch in 2024
- Social Self Driving – Personalized Autonomous Driving
- HMDrive – AR-based Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
- Harbinger – Vertically Integrated EV Platform
- DriveX – AI-powered Remote Car Inspection
- TERA Technologies – EV Range Extension
- Gaadin – EV Charging Station Management
- Metre 360 – Vehicle Maintenance Platform
- Mxpert – Garage Management System (GMS)
- AiDEN – Bidirectional Vehicle Service Hub
- Volteras – EV Ecosystem API
- Haze Automotive – Carbon Fiber Vehicle Frames
- H2X Global – Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
- OxidOS – Secure Automotive Operating System (OS)
- U Power – Customized Car Designing
- Pitcraft – AI-driven Vehicle Maintenance
- Speedsignal – Automotive Electronics
- AIO Motors – Smart EVs
- Attron Automotive – Efficient EV Components
- Bibst Automotive Electronics – Electronically Controlled Chassis
- MotionSilicon – Automotive Semiconductor Chips
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 20 Automotive Startups to Watch
Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally, we identified 2041 automotive startups. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 20 automotive startups you should watch in 2024 as well as the geo-distribution of all automotive startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.
Based on the heat map, we see high startup activity in the USA and India, followed by Western Europe. These energy startups work on solutions ranging from AR-based driver assistance to vertically integrated EV platforms and remote car inspection to smart EV charging solutions.
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As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively. Based on the data from the platform, the Top 5 Automotive Startup Hubs are in London, New York, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Berlin. The 20 hand-picked startups highlighted in this report are chosen from all over the world and develop solutions for vertically integrated EV platforms, AI-powered remote car inspection, EV range extension, AR-based ADAS, and much more.
Explore 20 Innovative Energy Startups to Watch (2024)
Social Self Driving enables Personalized Autonomous Driving
Italian startup Social Self Driving allows autonomous vehicles to learn and replicate a user’s driving style. This enables a self-driving car to adapt to the owner’s driving habits, ensuring a more personalized journey. It also offers a platform for sharing and downloading driving styles, allowing users to experience different driving techniques.
This technology is compatible with existing self-driving hardware and software systems, making it accessible for widespread use. The startup creates opportunities for car manufacturers to offer additional services and for drivers to customize their vehicles. The company’s marketplace allows professional drivers and influencers to sell their driving styles. Social Self Driving thus makes autonomous vehicles more humanized and enjoyable through customization options.
HMDrive offers an AR-based Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
HMDrive is an Italian startup that enhances driver vision through AR technology. The company leverages transparent AR glasses to create immersive driving experiences, particularly for industrial and sports vehicles. HMDrive’s technology processes vehicle and AR glasses’ inertial and position sensors, enabling hologram placement. This solution offers a plug-and-play experience that is vehicle and context-independent.
In industrial settings, HMDrive’s AR technology improves productivity and safety by creating an effective AR-driven ADAS. For sports cars, the technology offers an innovative AR experience, allowing drivers to follow a Ghost Car driven by a professional. This AR experience extends to motorsport TV events, where viewers can compare different trajectories or dynamics of drivers. This way, HMDrive reduces accidents caused by distractions, low visibility, and occlusion in heavy-duty vehicles.
Harbinger makes a Vertically Integrated EV Platform
Harbinger is a startup from the USA that manufactures a vertically integrated EX platform for commercial fleets. The double-wishbone front suspension module reduces vehicle overhanging, improving ride comfort and handling while also enhancing driver visibility and vehicle maneuverability. The proprietary drivetrain, eAXLE, combines the motor, inverter, and gearbox into an integrated unit with enough torque to support Class 6 applications.
The drive-by-wire system enables ease of operation for the driver by reducing steering workload. The rear axle architecture reduces mass and frees up critical packaging space for battery packs. Lastly, the tight integration of the battery powertrain between 80 ks steel frame rails allows for floor height below 28 inches and durability to support a 20-year, 450,000-mile standard operating file. Harbinger’s EV platform thus offers a sustainable alternative in the commercial transport sector.
DriveX facilitates AI-powered Remote Car Inspection
Estonian startup DriveX develops AI-powered car inspection software, streamlining vehicle verification processes and reducing fraud risks for businesses and consumers. DriveX’s AI guides customers through capturing high-quality images of the vehicle, ensuring detailed and accurate inspections. The platform’s SmartScan feature automatically sends out links for car inspections via email or text message.
After completing the inspection, DriveX generates a comprehensive visual assessment and damage report. This technology is beneficial for rental companies, insurance firms, and car dealerships. It aids in fraud prevention, and smart claim management, and provides a clear overview of a car’s visual condition. DriveX Core, the central hub of the platform, aggregates all car inspection results, offering a streamlined review process.
TERA Technologies enables EV Range Extension
Swiss startup TERA Technologies enables sustainable personal mobility. Its EV, MiracleONE, is built on an upcycled EV platform, promoting sustainability. MiracleONE features a range extension system with up to four small-sized batteries located in the trunk, offering an additional 80km range. These range extenders are portable, weighing about 9kg each, and can be charged anywhere, similar to charging a phone.
The vehicle’s architecture includes two independent systems, providing flexibility in charging options, either through conventional chargers or portable range extenders. MiracleONE offers an estimated WLTC range of 290km with long-range batteries, a top speed of 120 km/h, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.8 seconds. It also includes an advanced infotainment system for seamless connectivity and personalized driving experiences.
Gaadin streamlines EV Charging Station Management
Indian startup Gaadin builds EV charging station management solutions. The EV Roaming software ensures maximum accessibility for EV drivers at charge points through third-party eMSP apps, simplifying billing and increasing traffic to charging stations. Gaadin’s advanced Remote Monitoring system allows users to manage their setup remotely, providing real-time charger status, alarm notifications, and security threat analysis. The Smart EV Charging software enables efficient energy management and customization, considering electricity cost, availability, and driver preferences.
It also ensures that EVs and power grids collaborate efficiently, preventing grid overloading. The EVSE Management solution ensures the unavailable status is accurately reported, preventing drivers from attempting to use the occupied outlet. It also allows two EVs to charge simultaneously by intelligently dividing and allocating the available energy between outlets based on operator settings and energy constraints. This ensures both EVs receive an efficient and fair charging experience while respecting the site’s energy limitations.
Metre 360 designs a Vehicle Maintenance Platform
UAE-based startup Metre360 builds a vehicle maintenance platform that provides AI diagnostics and vehicle health reports, enhancing the accuracy of assessments. Metre360’s GMS facilitates routine check-ups and major repairs, ensuring effective vehicle care. The system includes real-time diagnostics and inspection reports, offering detailed insights into vehicle conditions. Certified local mechanics are part of Metre360’s network, ensuring professional service delivery.
The platform guarantees the use of warranty OEM spare parts, maintaining high-quality standards. Metre360’s electronic warranty system automatically generates warranties for parts and services used, ensuring customer peace of mind. The app’s database includes authorized OEM spare parts suppliers, ensuring repair authenticity. The platform’s comprehensive vehicle inspection covers interior, exterior, engine, transmission, and more, ensuring thorough vehicle evaluations.
Mxpert develops a Garage Management System
Mxpert is a Canadian startup that provides a comprehensive garage management system (GMS) for independent auto repair garages. Its cloud-based system offers an intuitive interface for scheduling, rescheduling, and managing appointments. It also automates management operations, including customer updates, quote preparation, invoicing, and inventory management. The system features automatic service reminders, sending timely notifications to customers to optimize garage capacity.
For customer engagement, Mxpert includes a built-in chat functionality, enabling direct and instant communication. The platform also integrates with accounting software, facilitating efficient financial management. Additionally, Mxpert’s GMS assists in managing inventory, offering real-time display and low inventory alerts. The system enhances team workflow management, including job delegation, schedule updates, and performance tracking.
AiDEN builds a Bidirectional Vehicle Service Hub
USA-based startup AiDEN provides a bidirectional vehicle service hub. The AiDEN AAOS App offers digital services for connected cars along with real-time communication and privacy compliance. The AiDEN HUB allows OEMs to manage, monitor, and monetize services in real-time, offering complete control over service management and data.
Service partners benefit from AiDEN’s configurable real-time live data streaming, accessing over 160 personalized and standardized vehicle data sets. This capability enhances service quality and customization across OEM brands, improving customer satisfaction. AiDEN’s platform supports vehicle insurance management, advanced vehicle maintenance systems, and roadside assistance. The hub also facilitates EV charging by connecting drivers to charging stations and optimizing charging time and costs.
Volteras provides an EV Ecosystem API
UK-based startup Volteras provides an API Connect that gives routing companies access to real-time EV data. This allows routes to be dynamically optimized based on the vehicle’s current battery level and charging status, removing the need for manual driver inputs. It also offers fleet management solutions for EVs without the need for hardware dongles. This helps ride-sharing companies improve passenger safety and experience through dynamic routing and real-time vehicle tracking.
Also, the smart charging feature enables users to remotely control (start, stop, and schedule) their charge sessions. Additionally, Volteras enables usage-based insurance, It allows insurers to offer pay-per-mile and pay-how-you-drive insurance models using real-time data accessed directly from vehicles. This allows insurers to more accurately assess risk and tailor policies based on mileage, routes, driving behavior, speed, braking, and other metrics.
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Haze Automotive offers Carbon Fiber Vehicle Frames
Canadian startup Haze Automotive manufactures carbon fiber for automotive applications. The use of a carbon frame reduces the curb weight of the vehicle, thus extending the battery range and performance in EVs. It also provides auto manufacturers with vehicle frames equipped with an escape system that allows occupants to safely exit if filled with water. By integrating the submersion sensors into frames, the startup makes vehicles safer for drivers and passengers in case of floods. Adopting these technologies allows auto manufacturers to make safer and stronger products and attract more customers.
H2X Global manufactures Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
H2X Global is an Australian startup that makes zero-emission FCEVs. The startup leverages hydrogen fuel cell technology to ensure a longer range and faster refueling in comparison to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The startup’s product range includes Darling Van and Darling Taxi for business owners, professional taxi drivers, and extreme terrains. They help businesses decarbonize their operations without sacrificing efficiency. Additionally, Warrego is the startup’s all-terrain hydrogen-powered vehicle that supports use in extreme environments like construction sites and mining locations.
OxidOS Automotive develops a Secure Automotive Operating System (OS)
Romanian startup OxidOS Automotive offers a secure operating system and development tools for automotive software original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers. The startup’s open-source software is RISC-V ready with hardware memory protection solutions and modern development tools. Moreover, it supports both Rust-based and isolated legacy C and C++ codes for faster integration with electronic control units (ECUs). This allows automotive manufacturers to accelerate time to market, cut down development costs, and reduce security issues.
U Power facilitates Customized Car Designing
U Power is a Chinese startup that manufactures smart EVs. The startup’s chassis, UP Super Board, is a base equipped with all the EV components that enable the free arrangement of driving seats, driving styles, and AI-powered adaptive suspensions. It also integrates the core capabilities of smart EVs, including e-propulsion, braking, steering, intelligent driving, and thermal systems.
The startup uses technologies like chassis-by-wire for performance improvement. Also, ring-network-based electrical and electronic architecture (EEA) with a pluggable design enables a customized intelligent experience. Also, to improve the layout and range of the vehicle, the startup uses an integrated thermal management and cell-to-chassis (CTC) battery system.
Pitcraft advances AI-driven Vehicle Maintenance
Indian startup Pitcraft offers AI-driven solutions for vehicle maintenance. The startup’s prognostic system helps in reliable and real-time identification of vehicle health status and allows maintenance teams to fix issues before they break down. Additionally, Pitcraft provides personalized repair recommendations based on vehicle usage profiles. This enables dealerships to precisely anticipate and plan vehicle volume and spare parts requirements every week. Moreover, personalized value-added service (VAS) recommendations allow vehicle owners to mitigate breakdowns.
Speedsignal produces Automotive Electronics
Speedsignal is a German startup that manufactures electronics for the automotive industry. The startup’s retrofittable device, Car Hifi, includes steering wheel buttons, a parking aid, a hands-free kit, and a camera interface to enhance driver connectivity with vehicles. Additionally, the startup offers solutions, like taxi CAN and CAN2COM modules, which provide all the 25 BO Kraft functionalities and the signals for operating a taximeter. These solutions allow automakers to avoid in-house product development and accelerate time to market.
AIO Motors manufactures Smart EVs
AIO Motors is a US-based startup that makes AI-powered electric vehicles. The startup’s driver-only EV, AIO Ve1, finds use in various segments like cars, trucks, and vans for consumers as well as industrial applications. AIO Motors also manufactures sustainable space frames for vehicles and customizable advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to maximize driver safety and reliability. These technologies aid manufacturers by making safe and strong single-occupant mobility solutions.
Attron Automotive provides Efficient EV Components
Attron Automotive is an Indian startup that creates EV motors and components. The startup uses proprietary technology and lightweight components, like carbon fiber, to improve vehicle safety and security. Using this approach, the startup manufactures smart motors that deliver more efficiency and long-range touring. Also, a controller controls components with dual-mode communication and delivers optimal performance.
Bibst Automotive Electronics designs Electronically Controlled Chassis
Bebest is a Chinese startup focusing on chassis electronic control and serving intelligent travel. The startup offers core components of intelligent chassis, chassis domain controllers, and automatic driving-related technical services. It manufactures novel braking systems such as electronic power-assisted braking, anti-lock braking, integrated brake-by-wire system, and electromechanical brake system. This ensures optimal braking and safety while commuting. Also, systems like body stability control and steering-by-wire enhance driving experiences and provide better connectivity between drivers and vehicles.
MotionSilicon offers Automotive Semiconductor Chips
Chinese startup MotionSilicon creates automotive semiconductor chips. They include various domain controllers, regional controllers, and subsystems in automobiles. These chips provide high performance, low power consumption, and high safety. The startup offers two vehicle-level regional gateway controllers, MX200 and MX300, that support network protocol hardware acceleration. They find use under domain centralized EEA like power domain control, chassis and body control, and cockpit domain control chips. Additionally, they apply to various subsystem controllers, like engine control, fuel injection control, and airbags, improving their performance.
Discover All Emerging Automotive Startups
The automotive startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Automotive Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2024!
