Automation networker picks Hong Kong

Seeking to enhance support for its partner network in the Asia-Pacific, Swedish automotive technology supplier Kvaser picked Hong Kong for its regional sales office, which opened last November.Kvaser President Lars-Berno Fredriksson said that with the benefit of warehousing facilities, Kvaser (Hong Kong) can import and export directly, providing faster shipping and logistics convenience.“This development enables us to provide closer and more effective support to Kvaser’s Asia-Pacific qualified sales representatives and technical associates, outside Mainland China,” he said.

Kvaser is a global provider of Controller Area Network (CAN) interfaces and data-loggers. CAN, which allows electronic devices to communicate with each other in a highly reliable manner, was developed for the automotive market and can be found in every modern-day car, including the latest electric and autonomous vehicles, according to Mr Fredriksson. However, he added, the technology is widely used in industrial automation, marine, medical and aerospace sectors – all industries where safety-critical operation is needed. For example, Kvaser's interfaces and partner, Accurate Technologies' Vision software, played a key role in development of Cimco Marine Diesel's marine outboard diesel engine (main picture).“Kvaser's CAN interfaces and data loggers provide a way to connect to a CAN network to monitor, record and analyse this communication,” he said.“CAN isn't new; it has been used in cars since 1991,” Mr Fredriksson continued. “However, it has evolved considerably and continues to see growing application in everything from autonomous vehicles, to drones to the latest robotic systems. CAN's dependability is the secret behind the engine and brake controls in your car, the flight-state sensors in an aeroplane, the control mechanism in an elevator, X-ray system and even, your coffee machine.”Asia is “extremely important” to the company, with the region accounting for one-quarter of its business, he said. The Hong Kong office complements Kvaser’s Shanghai sales office opened in 2014. “In November 2019, we opened a second sales office in Hong Kong and recruited additional Mandarin-speaking support staff,” Mr Fredriksson said. Several factors have contributed to the company’s growing opportunities within the region; among them, great staff and great partners, he said. “Also, through our university outreach, which supports the work of students and university teams working on CAN-related projects worldwide, we have witnessed and encouraged increased CAN design-in capabilities. It's capable, well-educated local electronics design engineers that are driving our business today.”