Molex unveils cutting-edge virtual automotive showroom, an immersive experience in automotive connectivity innovation

Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, has unveiled its Virtual Automotive Showroom, an immersive online experience designed to showcase the company’s latest advancements in automotive connectivity.

This platform marks an expansion from Molex’s first Virtual Showroom launched in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021, to cater to English-speaking customers and partners across the Americas and European markets.

The Virtual Automotive Showroom is designed to facilitate swift and intuitive discovery of Molex’s extensive array of products and solutions that are driving major innovations in automated/autonomous driving, electric vehicles, and evolving electrical/electronic architectures.

Visitors can explore highly detailed environments to gain crucial insights into how Molex’s end-to-end data connectivity solutions can be implemented both inside and outside of vehicles.

It is also a one-stop destination for a series of current webinars tailored to offer in-depth information on a variety of relevant connectivity topics.

On-demand webinars currently available include “Rugged and Reliable: Optimizing Vehicle Design Through Miniaturization;” “The Enduring Edge of Copper Interconnects in the Age of 224G;” and “Connectivity Solutions for 2-Wheeler & Electric Vehicles.”

Visitors to the showroom can request product samples, download the latest datasheets and literature, and access the most relevant insights to streamline their exploration and procurement processes.

Molex plans to launch additional interactive Virtual Showrooms focused on consumer, datacom/telecom, and electrification sectors, with a Japanese-language launch slated for later this year.

Automotive Industries (AI) asked Ryan Price, Director of Marketing, Transportation Innovation Solutions, Molex, to provide an overview of the showroom.

Price: Molex’s 3D Virtual Automotive Showroom is designed to highlight our cutting-edge automotive connectivity solutions.

This state-of-the-art platform offers a comprehensive, interactive experience where

users can explore our extensive array of products and solutions.

Key features include detailed teardowns of common automotive applications, showcasing how Molex’s products are seamlessly integrated into the latest automotive technologies.

The showroom also provides access to on-demand webinars, downloadable datasheets, and product literature to streamline the exploration and procurement processes.

AI: What inspired Molex to develop the Virtual Showroom for automotive connectivity solutions?

Price: It stems from our commitment to innovation, as well as direct customer engagement and interaction.

Following the success of our initial showroom in the Asia-Pacific region, we saw an opportunity to expand this dynamic platform to better serve our English-speaking customers and partners across the Americas and European markets.

We aimed to create an immersive environment where customers and partners can easily discover and interact with our latest automotive connectivity solutions.

The goal is to enhance their overall experience and better understand how our offerings can meet unique design needs — especially given heightened demand for automated driving and EVs.

AI: How does the Virtual Showroom enhance the user experience compared to traditional product displays?

Price: The Virtual Showroom significantly enhances the user experience by offering an engaging environment that traditional product displays cannot match.

Interactive application teardowns provide a deeper understanding of product integrations, both inside and outside of vehicle devices.

The availability of additional resources serves as a one-stop destination for accessing on-demand webinars, requesting product samples, and downloading relevant datasheets and literature, making it easier for users to explore and procure our solutions.

AI: Please elaborate on the interactive teardowns and how they help illustrate common applications.

Price: The interactive teardowns in our Virtual Showroom are designed to provide a detailed look at how Molex products are integrated into common automotive applications.

These teardowns offer a step-by-step exploration of various components, giving users a clear visual and functional understanding of how our products enable connectivity in various applications.

For example, users who want to learn about automated driving applications can select applications such as Lidar or the Zonal Gateway, and instantly view the animated teardown and supporting documentation for the d products.

By illustrating the optionality and showcasing the seamless connectivity solutions we offer, these teardowns help refine the value and practicality of our products in real-world automotive scenarios.

AI: How does the Virtual Showroom facilitate access to Molex’s end-to-end data connectivity solutions for inside and outside vehicles?

Price: With the growth of data-rich features and functions that will only continue increasing.

OEMs, along with Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers, are facing new challenges in delivering ubiquitous connectivity to support a seamless driving experience.

We wanted to offer greater transparency into how Molex’s products fit in common automotive applications through a combination of granular and holistic information and visual examples.

As a result, the showroom empowers designers to easily locate solutions that support their specific design needs while learning more about specifics features, functions and benefits.

AI: What innovations in automated driving, electric vehicles, and electrical/electronic architectures are highlighted in the showroom?

Price: For automated driving, we showcase Molex’s advanced Percept sensor and communication technologies that enable autonomous vehicle functionalities.

In the realm of electric vehicles, the showroom features Molex’s electrical connectivity solutions that support efficient power management and distribution.

Our many contributions to evolving electrical/electronic architectures are highlighted, including products like MX-DaSH that extend vehicle intelligence and connectivity through high-speed signal integration.

AI: How has the Virtual Showroom been received by customers and partners?

Price: Since its launch, the Virtual Showroom has received positive feedback from customers and partners.

The original Asia-Pacific showroom attracted more than 5,000 new users, and we expect this number to grow with this new launch.

Users appreciate the immersive and interactive nature of the platform, which elevates their understanding of our products and solutions.

AI: In what ways does the Virtual Showroom connect visitors to webinars, distributors, and downloadable information?

Price: The showroom serves as a centralized hub where visitors can access a wealth of resources, including on-demand webinars that provide in-depth information on various connectivity topics.

The platform also allows users to request product samples and download datasheets and literature.

These features ensure seamless access to the information and resources visitors need to make informed decisions and connect with Molex distributors for further assistance.

AI: What future plans does Molex have for expanding the Virtual Showroom and its offerings?

Price: Molex has exciting plans for expanding the Virtual Showroom and its offerings.

We are actively working on launching additional interactive modules focused on other industries, such as consumer electronics, datacom/telecom, and electrification.

We also are working on a formal Japanese-language version.

These expansions will broaden our reach and provide tailored experiences for a wider audience, ensuring that more users can benefit from our innovative solutions and immersive virtual environments.

To see how this interactive platform works, readers are encouraged to visit How Molex is “Creating Connections for Life” as well and learn how to “turbo charge” their designs.

Ryan Price

Ryan Price is the Director of Strategic Marketing for Transportation at Molex, where he leverages over two decades of experience in the electronics industry.

Starting his career at Molex in 1997, Ryan has held various roles including sales engineer, distribution account manager, and product manager.

After gaining further experience at Dyson and Guardian Glass, he returned to Molex in 2016 and took on his current role in 2021.

A native of Palm Springs, California, and an alumnus of Arizona State University, Ryan is passionate about customer relationships and believes in the positive impact of embracing change.

When he’s not engaging with clients, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.