Ford OpenXC Platform is Now Open for Vehicle Data, Customizable Hardware

[ST2Focus]

LAS VEGAS , Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
•Open-source hardware and software toolkits are now available at OpenXC for developers and researchers who want to explore what can be done with vehicle data
•Ford is encouraging developers, researchers and hackers to focus on using big data and open-source innovations using OpenXC
•The launch of OpenXC marks the second developer platform to be offered by Ford

On the heels of launching its first software developer program, Ford is now turning its attention to the growing trend in hardware hacking by transforming vehicles into an experimental development environment. The OpenXC research platform from Ford is now out of beta and available to all "makers" and do-it-yourselfers at OpenXC.

Earlier this week at the 2013 International CES the Ford Developer Program was launched making the SYNC® AppLinkTM application programming interface (API) available for the creation of smartphone apps that can be controlled inside the car using your voice.

While AppLink is available in Ford vehicles now, OpenXC is focused on the future as an open-source hardware and software platform developed by Ford Research and Innovation to unleash the power of the open-source hacker community to explore what can be done with vehicle data.

"Ford is committed to innovating with the help of software and now hardware developers," said Paul Mascarenas , Ford vice president and chief technical officer. "By connecting cars and trucks to wireless networks, and giving unheard-of access to vehicle data, entirely new application categories and hardware modules can be explored - safety, energy efficiency, sharing, health; the list goes on. OpenXC gives developers and researchers the tools they need to get involved."

The OpenXC kit includes a vehicle interface module based on the popular Arduino platform developers can use to read data from the vehicle's internal communications network. The hardware module provides real-time access to parameters like the vehicle sensors, GPS receiver and vehicle speed. The hardware module is connected to a smartphone or tablet on which apps can be written to consume and use these data.

The read-only system is designed to keep everything isolated from the vehicle control systems. The OpenXC website also provides schematics, documentation and code for open-source hardware modules, including the wireless solar-powered heads-up display developed by OpenXC co-founder Bug Labs .

"Through the OpenXC platform, we are paving the way for new opportunities that will help us prepare for the future of transportation where the automobile, mobile networks and the Internet cloud come together in ways never before imagined," said Venkatesh Prasad , senior technical leader of Open Innovation for Ford Research and Innovation.

"OpenXC is an extension of the work being done at the Ford Silicon Valley Lab focusing on big data, open-source innovation and user experience," added Mascarenas. "We are enabling independent developers to flesh out their ideas using affordable and accessible hardware and software tools."

Some of the areas developers can target with OpenXC include:
•Big data - Ford is increasingly a data-driven company fusing both internal and external sources to guide product and marketing offerings and support strategic decision making. In addition, vehicle data from the growing list of sensing technologies built into the car can be used locally to provide for the creation of a more personalized, convenient and productive driving experience, and aggregated to help address congestion and improve efficiency
•Open-source innovation - Viewing the car as a platform and providing access to real-time data allows for the rapid development of custom hardware and software applications. Ford has extensive experience in development of on-board and off-board applications for production cars using the SYNC in-car connectivity system, and now the Silicon Valley Lab is looking at open-source research using the OpenXC platform
•User experience - Connectivity is an increasingly important part of the total user experience while driving. Finding new ways to reduce stress and keep the driver informed can make driving a more pleasant experience

Early in 2012 Ford shipped the first OpenXC beta toolkits to universities such as the University of Michigan , MIT , Stanford University and HCL Technologies in India . Since that time, OSIsoft has sponsored a hackathon to create an application using vehicle data from OpenXC in combination with its enterprise data analytics platform.

At Michigan State University , a team of undergraduate students has built an Android app that uses OpenXC to collect data from the Ford MyKey® system into a centralized database and present it in visual report card format.

[rrstkmi]

Interesting. I want a modular infotainment system so I can easily replace MFT. Some day this may allow such a thing (on future cars).

[Frankenbike]

I want to see a Cyanogen MFT mod on XDA Developers.

[armadaskier]

I just want to be able to understand everything I just read...

[rrstkmi]

I just want to be able to understand everything I just read...

The OpenXC project is just a first step, but there are two big ideas here.

First is to open up the vehicle's internal network by creating an easy and sanctioned way to allow third party software developers access to all the connected sensors and components in the car so they can make apps that do cool or useful things with the data coming from them. Anyone who has used something like the Torque app with an ODB II adapter might think this has already been done, but the OpenXC FAQ addresses this point: FAQ - OpenXC Basically there is much more data available in the car than what can be accessed via ODB II and this is a framework for easily creating new apps to use that data in more interesting ways than just a diagnostic interface. A fuel-economy challenge type app that would access mpg data directly from the car and tie into social networks is one example that's been given. There has also been mention of a theoretical future Car-App store where you could get such apps.

The second and closely related part is to invite third parties to produce pluggable hardware modules which could augment the instrumentation or capabilities of the car and infotainment system (e.g. a heads-up-display, additional gauges and dials, Internet access modules, etc), or to simply deliver custom applications developed via OpenXC. My comment about them making the whole infotainment system a replaceable module is probably unlikely, but hey I can dream

[RyGuy]

I want an app that saves my latest configuration:

(ESC-off/fog lights-on/...previous MFT screen/audio screen on center screen...etc.)

Then reapplies it the next time the car is started.

Also, customizable digital Gage's (G's measurement) for the main screen and similar info for the MFT screen (current MPG, current speed limit).

[Now534]

I want an app that saves my latest configuration:

(ESC-off/fog lights-on/...previous MFT screen/audio screen on center screen...etc.)

Then reapplies it the next time the car is started.

Also, customizable digital Gage's (G's measurement) for the main screen and similar info for the MFT screen (current MPG, current speed limit).

A/F ratio, boost, and a few more would be nice!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Now534]

If the right people get ahold of this it could be great though! Anyone follow Ben Heck on YouTube?

[davloose]

The data on the car is read-only, so while it could save settings, there is no way to reapply them. Also, the software runs on Android platforms, so far I didn't see anything where MFT would be opened as a software platform to run new applications on.

[rrstkmi]

The data on the car is read-only, so while it could save settings, there is no way to reapply them. Also, the software runs on Android platforms, so far I didn't see anything where MFT would be opened as a software platform to run new applications on.

Yup, read-only interface. Otherwise a buggy app could crash your car!

The reference hardware uses Android but OpenXC is not tied to it. Other platforms could be used as well, though probably not MFT.