Android-based Automotive Assistance

There are so many Vehicle assistance systems or in other words, devices that communicate with the vehicle giving information, plus providing multimedia support. So many features are said to be embedded in these, But its a matter of fact how well these features cater the purpose, and how reliable they are. If taken a closer look at the universal car multimedia systems today, Aftermarket products which are fixed in most of the new vehicles like Toyota premio, allion, axio, prius and Honda vezel etc, unless the factory fitted ones are little bit better, it seems that they are less user friendly and less reliable. Navigation menus are different to each and its less supportive for a first time user. Touch sensitivity is like a first generation touch phone. 

With the emerging of smart mobile phones, there came a need of android based technology for car as well, but no one seems to be concerned about this until the recent past google came up with a solution. Namely "Android Auto" which is designed with safety in mind. With a simple and intuitive interface, integrated steering wheel controls, and powerful new voice actions, it's designed to minimize distraction so you can stay focused on the road.

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"Android Auto" is more part of the Open Automotive Alliance, which was announced on January 6, 2014, and is a joint effort with 28 automobile manufacturers including Audi, Fiat, Ford, Mitsubishi, Honda and mobile tech supplier Nvidia. In May 2015

The standard offers drivers control over GPS mapping/navigation, music playback, SMS, telephony, and web search; both touchscreen and button-controlled head unit displays will be supported, although hands-free operation through voice commands is emphasized to ensure safe driving. Compatible apps include Google maps, Google Play music, MLB at Bat,Spotify, etc.

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Hyundai claimed to be the first manufacturer to offer Android Auto, making it available in their product 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Moreover they have enabled the customers to update their current 2015 Sonata at a dealership or via self-service starting June 16, 2015.

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But the most aspired part, car data gathering and evaluation module are still under development, It can be seen as a great leap of the automobile history.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology for cars

The fuel cell technology is currently an emerging trend of the automobile industry. Different manufacturers are using different technologies in catering the problem of loosing non renewable resources. Toyota, Honda was more concerned on hybrid technology while Nissan tried to make it purely with battery power. It doesn't mean that one overtakes another, thus all have drawbacks compared to other, With the introduction of Toyota's new fuel cell vehicle "Mirai" it seems that Toyota is taking a different leap in the automobile industry in search of resources to power up. 

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What is a fuel cell and how does it work?

A fuel cell in simple form can be called as a device that generates electricity by a reaction of chemicals. Every fuel cell consist with two electrodes, one positive and one negative, namely, the anode and cathode. The reactions that produce electricity take place at the electrodes. Every fuel cell also consist with an electrolyte, which carries electrically charged particles from one electrode to the other, and a catalyst, which is used to speed up the reactions at the electrodes.

Hydrogen is used as the basic fuel, but fuel cells also require oxygen. One main advantage of fuel cells is that they generate electricity with very little environmental pollution. While the reaction generates electric power, water is generated as another outcome of this reaction which is purely an environment friendly substance.

This clearly illustrates how a fuel cell works

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A fuel cell generates electricity from an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and air. Hydrogen atoms compressed and stored in high-pressure tanks the Mirai has two that together hold about 11 pounds of hydrogen at 10,000 psi are sent through a platinum-coated membrane that separates their electrons and protons. Those electrons produce an electrical current to power a drive motor, in this case a synchronous AC unit capable of 151 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The freed protons combine with oxygen on the other side of the membrane before exiting the tailpipe as water. How much water? About 100 cc per mile, according to Toyota, or a little less than half a cup.

How toyotas fuel cell system is organized

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In Japanese, “mirai” means “future,” and the Mirai is the future of motoring: It runs solely on hydrogen and its only emissions are water. Expected later in 2015, the Mirai initially will be sold or leased just in California, where the infrastructure for hydrogen fueling exists. Range is around 300 miles, refueling will take about five minutes, and fuel is included for the first three years of ownership. The powertrain has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty to allay early-adopter concerns.

In simple, its the same concept with the hybrid, where the torque is supplied by both the battery and the engine, and just the engine is replaced with a fuel cell. so nothing is burning under the hood. 

But not just toyota, Hyundai, one of the leading korean car manufacturer has also developing an SUV with the fuel cell technology. It seems like hyundai is well ahead of the competition with toyota. They have marketed the product already with head to head. 

image via http://www.greencarreports.com/