If My Car Had An API
A year ago, I bought a 6 year old used car - a Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi. It was surprisingly well maintained and I was satisfied with the
A year ago, I bought a 6 year old used car - a Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi. It was surprisingly well maintained and I was satisfied with the deal. Recently, when my cousin got a newer version of the same car, I was thrilled to see its improved visual appeal.
Once my initial impression faded, I realised that there were no improvements in the ownership experience, nothing to entice me into buy this new version. It had the same fuel gauges and speedometers. All indicators were still analog. I still couldn't figure out how much fuel exists in the car, just that level in the tank is about halfway. You only know the battery is dead when it is actually dead. The engine is still hot or cool or in between. Your laptop has better sensors than these.
And don't get me started on the car's stereo! A USB interface, that is the only new thing they can add in 7 years?.
It was like the automobile industry stopped innovating for the affordable segment. Maybe, they never realised that there are new low-hanging fruits to take care of.
As a car owner, there are 3 things that I am usually worried about. (apart from it getting damaged or stolen!)
- Did I lock my car?
- What if my car gets towed? How will I know where to look for it?
- What is the amount of fuel remaining in the tank?
I think these problems could be solved using digital sensors, a standardised API and a tablet. Feed the sensor data into a tablet with internet access and let software take care of the rest.
You could check if your car is locked using your smartphone (something like lockitron). You could be warned if your car is towed or stolen. You could get accurate mileage, diagnostics, maintenance alerts and consequently lower the cost of ownership. Given the API, the open source hardware community will make things that will shock the world.
I could make this blog too long to read, if I enumerate all the possibilities I can think of.
In sum, just put some digital sensors, provide a standardised API and the rest will follow. In their fast lives, a lot of people will have some peace of mind.
Edit:
Thanks Arun for pointing it out. Ford has created an API - http://openxcplatform.com/
I wish it comes installed by default for all cars

Anand Doshi
Anand is the Chief Technology Officer at ERPNext. He reads fiction, dabbles in photography and is always on the watch for the best ToDo app.
What i donât understood is in fact how you are no longer really much more well-appreciated than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus considerably in terms of this matter, produced me in my view consider it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men arenât involved until it is one thing to do with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. Always take care of it up!
excellent.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
I found that site very usefull and this survey is very cirious, I ' ve never seen a blog that demand a survey for this actions, very curious...
i really like this article please keep it up.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
I was reading some of your content on this website and I conceive this internet site is really informative ! Keep on putting up.
Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work.
Im no expert, but I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can truly get behind that.
Thanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for.
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!
Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for.
Most of the cars(Indian) has OBD(on board diagnostics). You can use an interface(bluetooth/USB) t
Ford has its API.