The partnership is also expected to unlock additional applications such as fleet management and insurance telematics.
Q-Free has partnered with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation to develop next-generation tolling and mobility solutions powered by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
The collaboration brings together Q-Free’s expertise in intelligent transportation systems and road user charging with Sony’s advanced precision positioning technology. The joint effort aims to deliver scalable, high-accuracy solutions to support the evolution of road user charging (RUC) and fleet management.
As governments and transport authorities grapple with rising traffic congestion, sustainability targets, and shrinking fuel tax revenues due to increasing electric vehicle adoption, traditional tolling systems are being supplemented by distance-based charging models. GNSS-enabled tolling allows charges to be calculated based on when, where, and how far vehicles travel, enabling fair pricing, better congestion management, and emissions-based policies.
Q-Free, known for pioneering Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling systems, will integrate Sony’s GNSS technology into its battery-powered on-board units. This will enable highly accurate, low-power, and interference-resistant positioning without requiring vehicle wiring, making installation simpler and enabling faster large-scale deployment.
The companies emphasised that the solution is designed with privacy at its core. Road usage data is processed on the on-board unit, ensuring that only billing-related information is transmitted, rather than continuous raw location data. This approach supports regulatory compliance and strengthens user trust.
Already deployed in heavy-vehicle tolling programs across Europe and other regions, GNSS-based charging solutions are now expanding into passenger-vehicle segments. The partnership is also expected to unlock additional applications such as fleet management and insurance telematics.
