GM’s ‘phone-cooling’ tech chills stowed smartphones

General Motors has developed a simple technology to help prevent smartphones from overheating while stowed in vehicles.
Engineers decided to figure out a phone cooling system after their mobile devices experienced trouble when charging in a hot prototype vehicle during extreme-condition tests. Smartphones experienced thermal-protection modes to prevent overheating, either suspending charging or turning off altogether.

GM points out that a phone’s thermal protection interventions can be particularly inconvenient for drivers who use their smartphones for navigation assistance or streaming music.

The company decided to solve the problem by routing the car’s air conditioning and ventilation system through the wireless charging bin. The simple solution automatically activates when drivers engage the HVAC system to cool down the interior.

Active Phone Cooling will make its debut on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala and Malibu outfitted with wireless-charging pads, before heading to the 2016 Volt and Cruze.

“Innovation doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel,” said Impala engineer Dan Lascu. “Sometimes simplicity offers the most elegant solution to a problem.”