CalAmp, a provider of wireless products, services and solutions, is offering two new high-end telematics devices designed for connected vehicle applications anywhere in the world.
The new devices address growing global market demand in Europe and Latin America for more connected vehicle technology options and enable a broad range of applications such as fleet management, usage-based insurance, crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery, vehicle finance and auto rental.
New products include:
LMU-2640 – Designed for sophisticated fleet management applications, the LMU-2640 incorporates the flexibility of GSM/GPRS wireless communication along with highly sensitive GPS, a powerful processing engine and a triple-axis accelerometer that detects and communicates driver behavior. The LMU-2640 supports CalAmp’s Instant Crash Notification (ICN) services suite, delivered via email, SMS (text) or through an Application Programming Interface (API).
LMU-200 – Ideal for track-and-trace applications, the LMU-200 provides reliable, economical connectivity through GPRS wireless communication. The LMU-200 features highly sensitive GPS, motion detection, remote starter disable and built-in antennas that lower overall deployment cost and simplify installation. Built on CalAmp’s scalable hardware and device management platform suite, each product employs the company’s PEG on-board alert engine and processing environment as well as PULS over-the-air device management and maintenance application. These pioneering systems allow customers to leverage one platform to manage their entire portfolio including remote firmware updates regardless of the vehicle type or use case.
“The introduction of these two new devices represents our ongoing, strategic investment in solutions that enable the connected vehicle ecosystem in key markets such as Europe and Latin America,” said Justin Schmid, senior vice president and general manager of the Telematics Systems business at CalAmp. “With CalAmp as a leading IoT enablement solutions provider with new technology and a growing product portfolio, customers in these regions now have more options to choose from whether they’re looking for a simple vehicle tracking option or a full solution to support complex mixed fleet applications.”
CalAmp’s newest products are on display at booth #8.1B71 (Hall 8.1/Upper Level) at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 27–March 2.
Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, is working with TomTom on using the Qualcomm Drive Data Platform for high-definition (HD) map crowdsourcing for autonomous driving.
Qualcomm Drive Data Platform collects and analyzes data from different vehicle sensors, supporting smarter vehicles to determine their location, monitor and learn driving patterns, perceive their surroundings, and share this perception with the rest of the world reliably and accurately.
TomTom’s HD Map, including RoadDNA, is a highly accurate, digital map-based product that assists automated vehicles to precisely locate themselves on the road and help determine which way to maneuver, even when traveling at high speeds.
Traditional development of maps requires deploying dedicated fleets of vehicles equipped with professional-grade sensors to collect location, raw imagery, lidar and other data, which is then transferred, stored and processed in data centers. Now that cars are increasingly connected and equipped with a range of sensors, new and complimentary approaches become possible.
Using the precise positioning, on-device machine learning, heterogeneous compute and connectivity capabilities of the Qualcomm Drive Data Platform, which features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820Am automotive processor, TomTom and Qualcomm Technologies aim to facilitate adding an improved, scalable and cost-efficient crowdsourcing approach to the mix of sources for HD mapmaking.
The new concept is designed to allow massive numbers of connected cars to see and understand their environment, traffic and road conditions, and support real-time input for map and road condition updates.
“Feature-rich, highly accurate and frequently updated HD maps are critical to support some of the most advanced applications envisioned in the automotive industry, especially for autonomous driving,” said Willem Strijbosch, head of autonomous driving, TomTom. “We are building the cloud-based platform to make and maintain HD maps using a range of input sources, including crowdsourced data from swarms of intelligent connected vehicles. We’re excited to explore the connectivity and compute capabilities of the Qualcomm Drive Data Platform to help map the world for the future of driving.”
“Qualcomm Technologies is demonstrating today that an affordable and easy-to-integrate mapping solution for autonomous vehicles is realizable,” said Nakul Duggal, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “The Qualcomm Drive Data Platform is designed to integrate key technologies into a cost-effective edge compute solution required to support safer, highly connected and smarter transportation, and we are pleased to offer this technology for HD Map providers such as TomTom as well as automakers, shared mobility service providers and automotive industry at large.”
For more information about the Qualcomm Drive Data Platform, visit the Qualcomm booth at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Feb. 27–March 2, Hall 3, Stand 3E10, or go to www.qualcomm.com/automotive.
Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest gathering for the mobile industry, will be held Feb. 27 to March 2 in Barcelona, Spain. Zack Weisfeld, Microsoft Ventures; Harper Reed, Paypal; and Reed Hastings, CEO and founder, Netflix, are delivering keynote addresses at the event, which last year had record attendance with visitors from 204 countries.
Organized by the GSM Association (GSMA), Mobile World Congress brings together mobile operators, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organizations in adjacent industry sectors.
Virtual reality was huge at MWC, such as this demonstration at the ST Telecom booth. (Photo: Kevin Dennehy)
When more than 50 companies ask for interviews during the Mobile World Congress, which has grown to more than 100,000 attendees, you have to jot down what the product, service or strategy is — and then move on. So, here’s a wrap up of my four days in Barcelona.
BARCELONA, Spain — Location technologies are playing a prominent role in the development of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled products and services, particularly for connected vehicles, at Mobile World Congress here, held Feb. 28-March 2.
One location company, Glympse, partnered with two major companies, Google and Samsung, for their location sharing products. With Google, Glympse is part of the company’s Project Tango, which provides a mobile device with 3-D motion tracking and depth sensing.
Samsung launched its Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge phones to a packed auditorium of guests and press members. While the phone has an improved camera and battery life, the S7 and S7 Edge also have Glympse’s location-sharing capability for both an installed Car Mode and an app called My Place. “The Google Tango [product] allows a mobile device to know where it is, and our location-aware product allows people to see where their friends are. It’s been a great partnership,” said Bryan Trussell, Glympse founder and CEO.
Indoor location and mobile advertising
The number of mobile advertising and indoor positioning companies at MWC seems to be increasing each year. Most companies involved say the market, which has such big players as Google, Intel and ST Telecom involved, is finally arriving.
Polestar’s Jean Chenebault, COO, said the company has its Bluetooth beacons in hospitals, airports and shopping centers. “We are at Schiphol Airport, Yale Hospital and many others. We have 600 beacons installed at the Mobile World Congress,” he said. “The market for indoor location has really grown.”
At MWC, indoor positioning vendor Indoor Atlas signed a deal with Yahoo! Japan, which is the leading Internet portal in the country with 63 billion page views a month. The company, founded in 2012 with seven employees, uses geomagnetic positions based on the magnetic sensor in a smartphone. The company’s biggest customer, Baidu, is using the magnetic positioning in its maps product, said Indoor Atlas CEO Janne Haverinen.
Another company says its system is complimentary to GPS to deliver latitude, longitude and floor-level altitude in areas the satellite-based system doesn’t work, or works poorly. “We determine positioning, again, where GPS doesn’t work well,” said Christian Gates, NextNav vice president, strategy and development. A bonus point for NextNav is that it doesn’t burn up wireless spectrum, which is expensive, unlike cellular positioning, said Tom Wrappe, NextNav vice president, ecosystem development.
Industry veteran Wrappe was with SnapTrack and went to Qualcomm when that company purchased the assisted-GPS company that helped spur location in cell phones. Gary Parsons, former XM Satellite Radio CEO, heads the company’s board of directors.
A mobile advertising company, xAd, rolled out its MarketPlace Campaign builder that allows companies to control location campaigns. Using real-time location data, MarketPlace shows marketers available visitors and brand location. “Instead of showing an advertiser just impressions and clicks to a website, with the location capability we can show them that a customer went to the store to buy Kentucky Fried Chicken,” said Dipanshu Sharma, xAd co-founder and CEO.
Kevin Dennehy in VR goggles at Samsung press conference.
TCS has new name, showcases products and services at MWC
The acquisition of TeleCommunications Systems by Comtech Telecommunications for an estimated $431 million was completed during MWC. The company will not see personnel reductions, and its operations in Annapolis, Maryland, will continue, said Jay Whitehurst, Comtech president of commercial software group.
The company had several location services at MWC, including its Trusted Location application that provides such organizations as online gaming companies and financial entities a system to identify and prevent fraud using location algorithms. The company, which launched its VirtuMedix product at the 2015 MWC, said it has signed up several doctors for the patient monitoring system.
European fleet market growing
After a slow initial period, the European market for fleet tracking products has seen phenomenal growth, said Edward Kulperger, Geotab vice president, Europe. “We have nearly 500,000 units worldwide, and sell our products through an authorized reseller network,” he said. Geotab, which has a European partnership with Telefonica, offers MyGeotab software for in-vehicle driver coaching, engine diagnostics, real-time GPS vehicle tracing and other functions for the continent’s trucking companies.
Another company, Aeris, has had ups and downs in the past eight years, but has been seeing steady growth recently, said Dan McBride, Aeris senior director of marketing. “We have 7 million connected users through a MVNO-style service provider strategy,” he said. McBride said the company’s IoT products aren’t cookie-cutter in that they are tailored for each project. Currently, the company is pursuing most IoT markets in Europe: fleet, payment, healthcare and network security, to name a few.
Skyhook offers wearables location context
Unlike the Consumer Electronics show (CES), outside of a few new products from Garmin and Mio there wasn’t a big splash at MWC for wearables. However, companies are incorporating location technology on fitness child safety and personal security wearables, said David Bairstow, vice president of product at Skyhook Wireless, which uses GPS, Wi-Fi and cell towers for hybrid positioning.
“Without location you are blind to the user’s surroundings and will be reliant on a paired smartphone to complete your solution,” he said. “The use cases are endless when you pair these devices with location, varying from the ability to save a life, to keeping tabs on your kids, to capturing and adding context to photographic memories in real time. When accuracy is of the utmost importance, precise location can fill the void. The need for location on wearable devices is obvious and opens up a new world of capabilities for the wearable industry that they haven’t had historically.”
Waze finding success in Europe
Another company with a sluggish European start, Waze, is seeing big growth in central Europe, particularly in Italy and France, said Carlos Gomez of Waze. “We are improving the product to tailor it to European driving in city centers,” he said. Part of Google, Waze doesn’t sell any data it collects from users of the crowd-sourced map product. “We don’t sell it and are concerned with companies who sell data to third parties,” Gomez said.
Saying it is the only pure-play navigation company now that HERE is owned by a German automaker consortium, Navmii says its app has been downloaded more than 26 million times in 187 countries. “Many people do not know that Navmii builds its own maps, which it sells to companies around the world,” said Peter Atalla, Navmii founder and CEO. Navmii is also very much in the connected car and autonomous driving space. We are releasing a new version of the app called Navmii AI, which uses computer vision systems to provide ADAS features to drivers.”
Like Waze, Navmii enlists its users, and the data they provide, to contribute to the map to warn the community of upcoming disruptions. “This intelligence enables Navmii to generate high-quality traffic and map data,” Atalla said. “We believe that navigation should be free to users. We make money from the data collected (traffic and mapping) and white-labeling our technologies to power other devices and apps.”
Location critical for connected car payments
Accenture, Intel and Visa collaborated on a product to demonstrate the potential for next-generation connected vehicles. The demonstration showed how it can be securely and temporarily connected to personalized profiles for car sharing services, take advantage of biometric identification technologies and use location-based services (LBS) ecosystems, said Marcello Tamietti, Accenture Mobility Connected Transport lead.
“The proof of concept is integrated with easy-to-use, safe and secure contextual commerce services to transform the car-sharing and driving experience through IoT technologies, whether the vehicle is owned by the driver or not,” he said.
Contextual commerce relies on a payments system being situationally aware, and removing friction from the payments process, Tamietti said. “In this scenario, by applying analytics to data collected from a car on the behavior of a particular driver, services can then be offered through an LBS ecosystem that match a driver’s preference, and then make paying for it [seamless],” he said.
Security issues not going away
As companies roll out products, and differentiation is important, security and data privacy will become a top priority. “Even consumers with little interest or understanding of technology will see news stories about hacked devices and companies, and as a result will look to be reassured about how secure their personal data is, but also how far that data will be ‘legally’ shared with other companies,” Tamietti said. “Recent [Accenture] research found that for nearly half of respondents, security concerns and privacy risks rank among the top three barriers to buying an IoT device or service.”
Creating a secure connected vehicle will involve cooperation among all members of the ecosystem, at every step of the manufacturing process, and throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle, Tamietti said.
Every device connected to a network is a potential source of weakness in a targeted hacking attack, said Kevin Curran, senior member of IEEE and senior lecturer at the University of Ulster. “We might also find, however, that some of the features we are adding to cars, which use a connection such as dialing 911 when a car crashes and an airbag is deployed, with the GPS coordinates leads to lives being saved. We really have to consider the benefits that come from more connected features versus the dangers that may arise to a car vulnerable to remote attacks — which will, of course, happen,” he said.
Timing important for IoT netwoks
LBS and timing information are key enablers for IoT networks and applications. The time, location and velocity accuracy provided by multi-constellation systems provides the fundamental building blocks for numerous IoT applications, said Stephen Douglas, Spirent Communications Solutions and Technical Strategy, IoT. These applications range from simple consumer monitoring devices such as pet trackers through smart-city transportation management solutions to the future of connected cars with autonomous driving controls, he said.
Because of the time-consuming and resource-intensive testing process, sometimes test conditions are unreliable, Douglas said. “With a GNSS signal simulator, you can test your device in any combination of conditions, and repeat the same test conditions over and over again to assess the impact of your modifications,” he said. “Then, when you are confident your device works well in simulated test conditions, you can significantly speed up and lower the cost of field testing by recording the RF signal environment at a test site, and playing it back to the device in the lab.”
In other Mobile World Congress news:
This year’s MWC topped 100,000 attendees for the first time. A show getting that big loses its ability to have people network, which was always the big draw for me over CES. The show had 2,200 exhibits/booths.
The big deal this year at both CES and MWC was virtual reality. Having VR goggles on most of the time at Samsung, and seeing Mark Zuckerberg walk up to announce a partnership with the Korean giant and his giant Facebook social media platform, was surreal. One company, AirPush, is leaning forward to start its own advertising on VR platforms called VirtualSky, said Cameron Peeples, Airpush CMO.
Join Lyft, BMW Group, HERE and 25 other speakers at Driverless, The Business of Autonomous Vehicles, which is March 22-23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Francisco Airport. Panels feature new technology, executive insights on the future, investments, legal and cyber security and mapping. For more information, go to www.driverlessmarket.com or [email protected].
Mercedes autonomous car on display at Mobile World Congress 2016. (Photo: Kevin Dennehy)
BARCELONA, Spain — Most attendees at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) wouldn’t mistake the huge mobile phone show to be a gathering of auto manufacturers and their suppliers. However, the show, which broke 100,000 participants this year, has seen a rise in auto companies who are outlining connected and autonomous vehicle strategies.
MWC was held Feb. 27 to March 2 in Barcelona.
At MWC, Ford CEO Mark Fields said the company is tripling its investment in new technologies over the next five years with the ultimate goal of fully autonomous vehicles.
Ford also rolled out the new Kuga SUV, which features the company’s new SYNC 3, which Fields says should be in 43 million vehicles by 2023 (SYNC 3 is upgraded to include improved voice commands and easier to get to applications on a driver’s smartphone).
Fields said Ford, which attended its fourth straight Mobile World Congress, was transitioning from an auto company to one that is a dual auto-mobility entity. In addition, just as with GM’s decision to invest $500 million in Lyft, Ford is getting into the sharing economy with its own car-sharing, ride-sharing and other mobility services.
This new mobility strategy includes GoPark, an app that directs drivers to parking spaces; FordPass, a platform that connects services and partners; and FordGuides, a problem-solving app. According to published reports, another Ford app is MyBoxMan, which allows drivers in Europe to make money delivering boxes.
At least one industry expert believes that car sharing and autonomy is the future for auto companies. “Full autonomy is coming. We will see fleets of driverless public transport vehicles on the roads due to their low overheads,” said Kevin Curran, senior member of IEEE and senior lecturer at the University of Ulster. “Regarding non-autonomy, we will see that cars ownership will change in a number of ways. We will start to see more ride sharing. Uber and other ride sharing models will rise to supersede existing traditional models. That is quite obvious even now, and a proper ride sharing model should also emerge, too.”
Ford displayed the Kuga in its main booth, and also had a booth featuring its Developer Program. One of its development partners, Magellan, showed off its SmartGPS in-vehicle technology.
The Magellan unit delivers local information to the car that is equipped with SmartGPS, including speed trap alerts, weather, traffic and lowest gas prices, said Matt Erstling, Magellan product manager, connected platform.
Magellan’s connected auto strategy was outlined, in part, by its new CEO, Pierre Parent, at CES in January. Parent said that the company will continue to put location capability in connected devices.
Large industry players make MWC auto announcements
At its press conference, Hans Vestberg, Ericsson president and CEO, said 5G will provide the latency needed for autonomous cars. The company is jointly developing a connected car with Geeley Automobile Holdings, the Chinese owners of Volvo. Besides Ericsson, Nokia, SK Telecom and others believe that 5G, which is expected to rollout in 2020, will be critical for mobile Internet applications — and, therefore, for better safety in connected vehicles.
Qualcomm announced its partnership with Audi to integrate the Snapdragon 602A into the automaker’s 2017 vehicles. The company showed off connected car technologies with Formula One Team Mercedes AMG Petronias.
One of the cooler pieces of equipment at MWC was the folding steering wheel developed by Harman and Rinspeed. The companies are also co-developing an autonomous car.
Harman showcased its new folding steering wheel at Mobile World Congress 2016. (Photo: Kevin Dennehy)
Besides rolling out Galaxy S7 phones, Samsung announced its Connect Auto dongle that adds LTE connectivity for older vehicles. The dongle plugs into a diagnostic port to let drivers monitor a vehicle’s performance. It also makes the vehicle a Wi-Fi hotspot. It should be available in the second quarter, with AT&T as the U.S. wireless partner.
Saying the partnership is a giant step toward driverless vehicles, Panasonic and Ficosa announced at MWC that they were developing a Smart Connectivity Module that enables passengers to be securely connected through a vehicle’s own internal connection. The system provides both inside and outside connections and works in V2V and V2X environments.
“A lot of people don’t know that 33 percent of our business is in auto and industrial systems. Consumer is only 14 percent,” said Tony O’Brien, deputy managing director, Panasonic Systems Solutions, Europe.
Inside the Mercedes autonomous vehicle. (Photo: Kevin Dennehy)
In other MWC news:
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which automakers and their suppliers are heading to in droves, now has 115 exhibiting companies. While far fewer in numbers, and with so many large wireless and device manufacturers involved, auto execs realize that MWC is an important stop before the Geneva Auto Show.
At MWC, I could actually talk to people, even see folks again at events and sometimes passing by in the huge exhibit halls at the Fira Grand Via. You can’t say that about CES. Unfortunately, MWC is getting huge…more than 100,000 people with the requisite traffic congestion, public transit strikes, expensive housing and airfares.
Join Lyft, BMW Group, HERE and 25 other speakers at Driverless, The Business of Autonomous Vehicles, which is March 22-23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Francisco Airport. Panels feature new technology, executive insights on the future, investments, legal and cyber security and mapping. For more information, go to www.driverlessmarket.com or [email protected].
Ford took center stage at the Mobile World Congress (MCW) for a series of announcements. CEO Mark Fields unveiled the new Kuga SUV and confirmed that Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity technology is coming to Europe. SYNC 3 allows drivers to control audio, navigation, and climate functions plus connected smartphones using simple, conversational voice commands. MCW is being held Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain.
Fields also said Ford commits to tripling its engineering investment in semi-autonomous vehicle technologies as the company continues to expand its Ford Smart Mobility plan.
Fields discussed Ford’s transition from an automotive company to an auto and a mobility company through Ford Smart Mobility — the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, customer experience, and data and analytics.
“As we look to the future, it is clear we are on the cusp of a revolution in mobility – from car sharing to autonomous driving to the customer experience,” Fields said. “Technology and innovation provide us with the opportunity to address these trends and to make people’s lives better by changing the way the world moves.”
The Kuga will offer several new technologies and updates, including Ford’s new SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system and innovative driver assistance technologies. The Kuga has hands-free perpendicular parking; an enhanced version of the Active City Stop collision avoidance system; an adaptive front lighting system; and intelligent all-wheel drive.
Ford’s drive toward a fully autonomous consumer car includes rolling out traffic jam assist and fully active park assist in the next three years.
Ford CEO Mark Fields discusses the company’s move to fully autonomous vehicles at MWC.
Traffic Jam Assist helps the driver with steering, braking and acceleration in heavily congested traffic situations on motorways. Fully Active Park Assist helps drivers by steering and controlling the transmission, throttle and brake to seamlessly pull into a parking spot at the touch of a button.
Further semi-autonomous technologies already introduced by Ford include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, a camera- and radar-based system that detects vehicles and people in the road ahead; and Intelligent Speed Limiter, which could help prevent drivers from exceeding speed limits, and potentially from incurring costly speeding penalties.
Ford is seeking to deliver autonomous capability that does not require driver input described by the SAE International as Level 4 of automation. At this level of capability, autonomous vehicles will likely be offered first in climates that support optimal sensor performance and in areas that have been mapped in high-resolution 3D. Ford has tested fully autonomous vehicles in winter weather, including snow.
“We are committed to making autonomous vehicles available for millions of people,” Washington said. “Within well-defined areas and with favorable environmental conditions, we predict that fully autonomous driving will be possible within four years, and that autonomous vehicles will play a significant role in making travel safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible.”
Harman International Industries has announced 10 new workflow, content and data service providers for the company’s Open Service Delivery Platform for the connected car.
Harman made the announcement at the Mobile World Congress, taking place Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain.
The service providers can provide automakers and drivers with a wide range of accurate, context-based and relevant services including real-time traffic and location-based services, shopping, parking, streaming audio and live news.
Service providers include TomTom, Parkopedia, AccuWeather, Yelp, INRIX, CustomWeather, Deezer, AccuRadio, Wcities and NPR. The new services will be available to automakers for their connected car configurations.
The Service Provider Program is a worldwide initiative available to workflow, content, data and service providers who are looking to bring their services to automakers, vehicles, drivers and passengers faster, while focusing on near-term opportunities in the automotive industry.
By leveraging the industry’s leading enterprise cloud services platform, automakers can deploy a variety of services including infotainment and navigation, new software features after vehicle sale, vehicle data to predict part failures, forecasting for preventative maintenance, and analysis of warranty claims, Harman said.
The Harman Service Delivery Platform is a comprehensive foundation with a collection of core services, third-party services and management features, fully integrated with vehicle systems and updated seamlessly over the air.
CartoDB, a world leading company for location intelligence, data analysis, and visualization, has launched Deep Insights, a technology layer that enables the visualization, dynamic filtering, and exploration of large location datasets at unprecedented scale and scope.
With CartoDB’s Deep Insights technology, datasets can be enriched or augmented by existing geospatial data from various sources with a diverse number of fields, such as census information or administrative boundaries. Once data is processed by Deep Insights, users can further filter, pan, zoom and granularly narrow in on data to view trends and patterns that, in traditional reports, would otherwise go unnoticed.
Deep Insights is also equipped with a suite of interactive widgets and command controls so users can tailor the interface for the best experience. It can be implemented to stand-alone or configured and integrated with users’ own application workflow.
“The launch of Deep Insights involves a redefinition of the role of geospatial data visualization and analysis in maps, empowering the way people analyze and interact with massive amounts of existing data. For CartoDB it was the next logical step to follow,” said Sergio Álvarez Leiva, CPO, CartoDB. “The creation of a new visualization technology capable of identifying trends and patterns with big data, literally making the invisible visible.”
CartoDB is launching Deep Insights at Mobile World Congress, being held Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain. The company is demonstrating the technology in partnership with Mobile World Capital, an organization dedicated to bringing mobile transformation to the city of Barcelona. Deep Insights will be used to analyze the influx of tourism in Barcelona and identify opportunities for increased revenue through tourism per location. The collaborative project will leverage three sets of data, including data on key touristic spots, social media activity, and payments from BBVA bank.
Deep Insights is made available through a single, user-friendly interface that allows users to explore location-related insights visually on a map. It has a fixed pricing structure to allow for unlimited scale with no cap on usage, starting at $100 for 1GB in memory data.
ORBCOMM Inc., a global provider of machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, has added to its fleet management portfolio.
Announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) are the new cellular-only SkyWave IDP-782 device and the viaFleet web application for tracking, monitoring and managing trucks, railcars and other mobile assets. MWC is being held Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain.
By leveraging ORBCOMM’s fleet management solutions, fleet operators can reduce fuel costs, optimize travel routes, monitor driver behavior, minimize idle times and ensure cargo and driver security, the company said.
ORBCOMM’s cellular-only SkyWave IDP-782 device is designed for vehicle tracking and driver monitoring applications specifically for areas where cellular coverage is widely available. This device provides customers the same functionality and flexibility as the dual-mode version at a more economical cost for cellular-only applications.
ORBCOMM’s comprehensive viaFleet application enables fleet operators to see the location of mobile assets in real-time, monitor driver behavior, streamline vehicle maintenance schedules, communicate with drivers and much more. With an intuitive, easy-to-use graphical interface, the viaFleet application works with the IDP-782 to display the location of assets on a map in real time, tracks asset movements with breadcrumb reports, and supports advanced reporting capabilities on speeding events, dwelling times, geofence access and asset health, allowing customers to significantly improve operational efficiencies and productivity.
In addition, ORBCOMM recently introduced several other innovative wireless solutions. These products and services enhance ORBCOMM’s M2M and IoT solutions portfolio, which span from device to dashboard, for system integrators, end user customers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across a wide variety of industries.
The ORBCOMM OGi modem, which has a footprint smaller than a credit card, is the smallest and lowest cost IDP modem built to date and is targeted for mission-critical applications that require low latency. The versatile modem’s design provides customers with unrivaled ease of use, flexibility and quality of service based on their unique application needs, including message size, delivery speed, geographic coverage and regulatory requirements. Both ORBCOMM’s OG2 and OGi modems use the same electrical and application interfaces, including the connectors, power input and programming environment. This interchangeable format enables OEM customers to plug-n-play satellite connectivity utilizing the ORBCOMM VHF network or the Inmarsat L-band network without the need to redesign their M2M solutions.
The ORBCOMMconnect subscriber management portal gives ORBCOMM customers complete comprehensive control over wireless services and connected devices, while reducing the complexity of managing and integrating multiple connectivity offerings. Customers can access three satellite and seven Tier One cellular networks in one comprehensive platform, optimizing M2M and IoT service delivery and subscriber management, enabling better business planning and helping to reduce and control costs.
ORBCOMMmobile is a mobile app that integrates with ORBCOMM’s M2M and IoT applications, including ORBCOMM’s cold chain monitoring solution and the ORBCOMMconnect portal. ORBCOMM’s mobile app runs on both iOS and Android devices to facilitate easy access to ORBCOMM solutions and technology in real-time and remotely outside of the traditional office environment.
ORBCOMM Enterprise Connect is an end-to-end 4G xLTE wireless failover solution for distributed enterprise, financial, hospitality and retail locations that need reliable, high-bandwidth WAN connectivity for M2M and IoT applications. The solution works with integrated routers from industry-leading hardware manufacturers as a back-up to existing broadband connections in the event of a primary network communications failure. The affordable turn-key solution combines world-class connectivity, hardware, management capabilities along with network and deployment support. ORBCOMM Enterprise Connect allows both large and small enterprises to conduct business efficiently and reduces risks of downtime, reduced productivity, lost revenue and customer experience issues.
To learn more about ORBCOMM’s latest innovations, visit Booth G11 in Hall 8.0 at Mobile World Congress.
InvenSense Inc., a provider of micro-electrico-mechanical (MEMS) sensor platform solutions, is showcasing the company’s latest innovations in its Internet of Sensors platforms and solutions for mobile, smart home, wearable, industrial, and automotive segments in Hall 2 — stand 2C16MR — at the 2016 Mobile World Congress (MWC). MWC is being held in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 22-25.
InvenSense brings innovative human-like interfaces, including motion, audio and software solutions in both consumer and industrial devices. This year, InvenSense is progressing the idea that the Internet of Sensors is the next wave of intelligent sensor system-on-chip (SoC) solutions and that they connect any conceivable consumer electronic and industrial device and allow them to behave, react and think autonomously.
InvenSense’s pioneering of Internet of Sensors motion, audio and software solutions are synergistic with consumer electronic devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) requisite to track behavior, enhance contextual awareness, and help sensor-driven decision analytics.
InvenSense will showcase:
SensorStudio and the InvenSense FireFly development kit, a sensor prototyping and development platform for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) solutions for drones, digital still cameras, smartphones and more.
Invensense’s TrustedSensor IoT Security Solution, showcased by Intrinsic-ID, a leader in the field of Cyber Physical Security Systems as a provider of “Physical Unclonable Functions” (PUF).
InvenSense’s continuous heart rate monitoring with vital sign monitoring system solution, delivering accurate Heart Rate Measurement (HRM) while walking, running, biking, and gym activities.
The new CoursaSports.com, a cloud-based sensor Software as a Service (SaaS) fitness tracking platform for smartphone and smartwatch health and fitness applications.
The new CoursaRetail.com, an infrastructure-free, indoor-location analytics for Bricks & Mortar, enabled from your mobile app on customers’ phones and capturing sales from missed conversions on previous visits.
Pole Star, with its end-to-end scalable indoor solution, and MOCA, with its location-based mobile engagement platform, are the official providers for the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2016, being held Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain.
Pole Star’s technology integrated with the MOCA solution provides visitors, exhibitors and organizers with geolocation and context-aware marketing services. The joint solution is based on three service levels that combine users’ geolocation with other data to expand the value of contextualized messages.
The combination guides visitors through the 240,000 square meters of the Mobile World Congress, providing personalized notifications based on proximity along with an intelligent recommendation system aimed at enhancing networking efficiency.
Using geofencing, the exhibitors will be able to interact with attendees and attract them to theirs booths.
Finally, indoor location analytics brings a powerful analysis tool to the event organizer, providing the necessary knowledge to understand the behavior and preferences of attendees.
Pole Star is exhibiting in Hall 5, Stand 5B41, French Tech Pavillon. MOCA is exhibiting in Hall 8.1, stand B75.
Garmin will introduce a new GPS smartwatch at Mobile World Congress, being held Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain. The vívoactive HR includes Garmin Elevate wrist heart-rate technology.
The vívoactive HR helps keep track of active moments throughout the day, counting steps and floors climbed, intensity minutes, monitoring sleep and featuring built-in GPS-enabled sports apps for walking, running, biking, swimming, golfing, paddle boarding, rowing, skiing and snowboarding.
The smartwatch uses 24/7 wrist-based heart rate data to calculate calories burned information as well as the intensity of fitness activities, providing proper credit for users’ array of workouts. With the Connect IQ store, users can personalize their vívoactive HR with free apps, widgets, watch faces and data fields.
The smartwatch will be showcased at the Garmin booth #CS 90.
“The vívoactive HR builds on the incredible versatility and multi-functionality of its predecessor by adding wrist-based heart rate and a barometric altimeter — allowing it to track even more data essential to workouts and day-to-day activity,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “All your efforts to stay active are accounted for from taking the stairs at the office to going on a run or ride.”
Featuring Elevate wrist heart rate technology1, the vívoactive HR provides 24/7 heart rate monitoring and eliminates the need for a chest strap. Using the heart rate data the vívoactive HR quantifies the intensity of fitness activities and allows users to monitor their progress against aerobic activity goals recommended by leading health organizations like the American Heart Association.
The vívoactive HR’s always-on, touchscreen, sunlight-readable Garmin Chroma Display lets users track activity and stay connected anytime, anywhere. Its built-in GPS-enabled sports apps include:
Running – Using a built-in accelerometer and GPS users can track runs either indoors or out. Additional features include Auto Lap, Auto Pause, and vibration alerts for heart rate, pace, run/walk intervals, and more. Post-run summaries include stats such as total mileage, calories, average pace and overall time.
Cycling – The cycling app measures time, distance, speed and calories. It is compatible with speed and cadence sensors, and the Varia® lights and radar (sensors and radar are sold separately).
Pool Swimming – In addition to tracking total and interval time, distance, pace, stroke count and stroke type, the swimming app also features easy pausing for rests, complete with rest timers, and can calculate swolf, a measure of swimming efficiency.
Golfing – Users can view a simplified view of the green, measure shot distance and be pointed in the right direction with PinPointer while golfing on one of the 40,000 course maps worldwide available for download from the Garmin golf course database.
Stand Up Paddleboarding and Rowing – Users can easily track and view pace, time, distance, stroke count, stroke rate and distance per stroke. When using an indoor rowing machine, users can track time, stroke count and stroke rate.
Skiing and Snowboarding – The skiing and snowboarding app measures 3-D speed by calculating the speed and distance on an incline versus latitude and longitude. It also provides splits automatically and features Auto Pause, which freezes the timer automatically when users stop or ride the lift.
The vívoactive HR also includes Garmin Move IQ, a new feature that continuously monitors for periods of sustained activity. With Move IQ, the vívoactive HR automatically recognizes walking, running, biking, swimming and elliptical training. Users can easily track their exercise throughout the day without needing to start a timed activity. Once synced with Garmin Connect, users can review their full day of activity in a convenient Timeline view.
The vívoactive HR will begin shipping in Q2 for a suggested retail price of $249.99. It will be available in regular and extra-large fit black bands. Accessory bands will be available in black, white, force yellow and lava red for a suggested retail price of $29.99 each.
CalAmp, a provider of wireless products, services and solutions, is offering two new high-end telematics devices designed for connected vehicle applications anywhere in the world.
