Carputer

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A carputer, or car-puter, is a computer with specializations to run in a car, such as compact size, low power requirement, and some customized components. The computing hardware is typically based on standard PCs or mobile devices. They normally have standard interfaces such as Bluetooth, USB, and WiFi. [1] The first carputer was introduced by Clarion on December 4, 1998, [2] although on-board diagnostics have been employed since the 1980s to precisely measure the amount of fuel entering the engine as the carburetors got too complex. [3]

A challenge to installing a computer in a car is the power supply. Energy is supplied as a nominal 12 VDC in cars or 24 VDC in some trucks. The voltage varies according to whether the engine is on or off since the battery generally delivers 12V, while the generator supplies more. There can be peaks, and at ignition time the supply current drops. External DC/DC converters can help to regulate voltages. [1]

Police cars often have Mobile data terminals in the form of a laptop swivel mounted where the driver's armrest would be. This can be used to log data and to query networked databases. [4]

Microsoft developed Windows Embedded Automotive and used it with the AutoPC, a brand of carputer jointly developed with Clarion. [5] The system was released in 1998, and referred to the operating system itself as "Auto PC". [6] It was based on Windows CE 2.0. [7] It evolved into "Windows CE for Automotive". [8] The platform was used for the first two generations of MyFord Touch while the third generation runs QNX from BlackBerry Limited. [9] [10]

Tablet computers such as the Nexus 7 [11] can be installed either permanently (in-dash) or removably (a dock). [12]  It can be used for watching movies or listening to music, as well as for GPS navigation. It also has Bluetooth for hands-free calls. [13]

Typical simple USB KKL Diagnostic Interface without protocol logic for signal level adjustment Obd usb kkl interface.jpg
Typical simple USB KKL Diagnostic Interface without protocol logic for signal level adjustment

Computers can be used to decode on-board diagnostics (OBD) data to a visual display. Many interfaces are based on the ELM327 OBD Interpreter ICs.[ citation needed ] STN1110 is also known to be used. [14]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">QNX</span> Real-time operating system (RTOS) software

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">On-board diagnostics</span> Automotive engineering terminology

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">In-car entertainment</span> Automotive entertainment system

In-car entertainment (ICE), or in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), is a collection of hardware and software in automobiles that provides audio or video entertainment. In car entertainment originated with car audio systems that consisted of radios and cassette or CD players, and now includes automotive navigation systems, video players, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, carputers, in-car internet, and WiFi. Once controlled by simple dashboards knobs and dials, ICE systems can include steering wheel audio controls, handsfree voice control, touch-sensitive preset buttons, and even touch screens on higher-end units. Latest models of In-car entertainment systems are coming equipped with rear-view cameras along with side cameras for better safety.

Ford Sync is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands. The system consists of applications and user interfaces developed by Ford and other third-party developers. The first two generations run on the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system designed by Microsoft, while the third and fourth generations runs on the QNX operating system from BlackBerry Limited. Future versions will run on the Android operating system from Google.

Windows Embedded Automotive is a discontinued operating system subfamily of Windows Embedded based on Windows CE for use on computer systems in automobiles. The operating system is developed by Microsoft through the Microsoft Automotive Business Unit that formed in August 1995. The first automotive product built by Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit debuted on December 4, 1998 as the AutoPC, and also includes Ford Sync, Kia Uvo, and Blue&Me. Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit has built both the software platforms used for automotive devices as well as the devices themselves. The current focus is on the software platforms and includes two products, Microsoft Auto and Windows Automotive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MyFord Touch</span> Vehicular entertainment system

MyFord Touch is an in-car communications and entertainment system developed by the Ford Motor Company, based on Microsoft technologies. The technology was factory installed with Ford product offerings and was based on the Microsoft Auto 4.0 software platform. It was regarded as the next-generation of Ford Sync. Announced in January 2010, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the technology launched with the 2011 Ford Edge. Reviews of MyFord Touch were overwhelmingly negative. A USB drive, self-installed software upgrade became available in March, 2012; this update was mailed out free-of-charge to all Ford customers, and Ford also offered free installation of the update by any Ford dealer. The update did not address continuing problems with light-touch capacitor switches that control many functions. Several updates have since been released which allowed for more natural speech recognition, simpler Bluetooth pairing, and refinement of the on-screen interface and menus.

The history of tablet computers and the associated special operating software is an example of pen computing technology, and thus the development of tablets has deep historical roots. The first patent for a system that recognized handwritten characters by analyzing the handwriting motion was granted in 1914. The first publicly demonstrated system using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard for working with a modern digital computer dates to 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Tablet PC</span> Microsoft

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Link Motion</span>

Link Motion is an automotive software and hardware company developing embedded automotive systems that have been used in the Lamborghini Huracán. Their main product is the Motion T carputer which can implement a connected vehicle gateway as a separate unit or as a part of the cockpit solution (eCockpit). The Motion T carputer runs on NXP's i.MX8 multi-OS platform, supports four in-car HD displays and hosts connectivity features on Microsoft’s connected vehicle platform, a set of services built on the Microsoft Azure cloud, such as over-the-air software and firmware updates, telemetry and diagnostics data and secure remote access.

References

  1. 1 2 "Introduction to CarPuters | CARPUTER WORLD | Carputer Products and Accessories". CARPUTER WORLD. Archived from the original on 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  2. "Automation History – The First Embedded Car PC was introduced on Dec. 4, 1998".
  3. Laurens, Eli. "Car Computer History". It Still Runs. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. "How Police Cars Work". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  5. "Microsoft Announces Auto PC, PC Companion Powered by Windows CE 2.0". Microsoft. 1998-01-08. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  6. "Drivers Keep Hands on Wheel, Eyes on Road, as Auto PC Provides Easy Access to Information and Entertainment". Microsoft. 1998-12-04. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  7. "Microsoft Pioneers Interactive Speech Technology". Microsoft. 1998-01-08. Archived from the original on 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  8. "Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive 3.5 Advances In-Car Computing" (Press release). Microsoft. 5 December 2001. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  9. Ford dumps Microsoft for Blackberry for Sync 3 USA Today (12/11/2014)
  10. Burns, Matt (11 December 2014). "Ford Ditches Microsoft For QNX In Latest In-Vehicle Tech Platform". TechCrunch . Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  11. "Nexus 7 makes the best in-car entertainment system ever". Android Central. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  12. "Optimise a tablet for the car - APC". APC. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  13. "How to : Using Android tablet ( or iPad ) as Car PC - multimedia ,internet and calling in car - theGadgetPill". theGadgetPill. Archived from the original on 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  14. STN1110 specifications