Recent Entries
Weblog
Cool Projects using JSR82 [2] : BlueKey? AutoBlue?
May 17, 2007
The Automotive industry is one of the key growth markets for Bluetooth, and Java/Bluetooth, over the next few years. Bluetooth followed the typical trend for new technology in cars. The auto industry tends to "refresh" at a much slower rate than (say) the more fashion-oriented and almost disposable phone industry, so initially, Bluetooth appeared as an optional extra on high end cars (BMWs and Mercedes I think), and then gradually trickled down to mid-range and now compact cars. Initially the key application was of course handsfree access to the phone (often driven by regulatory requirements in various countries).
Now though, we're seeing initial demand for Java/Bluetooth and JSR82 to be built-in to cars for applications other than hands-free. For example, to download new diagnostic applications to Engine management Systems (EMS) that can then "report back" wirelessly to auto-technicians, or (my favourite), to enable a user to select some information from their in-vehicle navigation system (local map, places to eat, directions to hotel) and to send that over Bluetooth to their phone/PDA/laptop, thereby extending the useful range of your GPS system when you leave the car.
Anyway, enough of my ravings. Today's project has no official name as yet. If you have a good suggestion, then maybe you'd send it in. It's the brainchild of Yoshua Victor, from Indonesia. Over to him:
Give us a brief description of the project. How did it come about - what was the inspiration?
My project is to enable remote control from mobile phone to a car. The usual analog car remote typically has some functions, but the basic function is to start the engine, to lock the door and unlock the door. I’m inspired from the many times that the analog remote is out of battery and then you're stuck, because the car can’t be opened! So I came up with this idea, when your normal car remote doesn’t work, your mobile phone may always be to hand. If you could use it as a replacement remote, that would be very useful.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves. What's your background? What are you working on in general?
I’m 21 years old and studied Information Technology in Maranatha Christian University Bandung, Indonesia. Major in java programming, and I’m working on this project for my final exam to get my bachelor degree.
How long have you been working on the project
About 3 month since this February until now.
What stage is it at now?
Early days. I’m still learning and reading tutorials about JSR-82, and I’m also getting up to speed with J2ME programming, as this is my first project with J2ME, JSR-82 and other stuff. So now I’m just working on how I use Bluetooth to send data (Strings in this case) to another device. And after I can send data, I’ll start programming in JavelinStamp (which is the micro controller). I get lot of information from parallax.com (micro controller stuff), Nokia developer web site and Java forum that discusses JSR-82 (JAWBT newsgroup on Yahoo Groups).
What was the biggest problem or roadblock you had to deal with in the project?
The major block in this project is programming in mobile phones. Despite the promise of Java, if I write a program for Nokia, maybe I can’t use it for Motorola. It makes it difficult to test my project in a real device, so it's hard to make real tests for what I’m trying to do. The other problem is to connect the PC and the mobile phone with Bluetooth because often the PC doesn’t support JSR-82. Finally, I'm on quite a "learning curve" with the MicroController and figuring out how to write a program on javelinstamp that uses Bluetooth. Plenty of issues! :-)
How do you see the results of the project being used?
I see if this project is a success, it could have a big impact, because I can control certain aspects of my car, which could be very interesting and useful. Also, and if I can develop it further maybe I can use this remote for my house system, or control something else with my mobile phone and Bluetooth.
What's next? What do you hope to work on over the next 12 months?
I hope I can finish this project before 12 month from now, maybe 6 month from now I hope I can 100% finish, and if I have finish this project maybe I want to try to have some little experiment to develop this project for home system (control home, ex: light, door, alarm, etc).
Anything else I should have asked you? Anything else you'd like to say?
If anyone out there has tutorials, guides, suggestions for where I should start, I'd very much appreciate it, as I'm trying to learn a lot of stuff in a short time! Thanks! :-)
Post a comment