In the bustling city streets of Europe, public transportation plays a vital role in keeping urban life moving smoothly. With millions of passengers relying on city buses daily for their commute, ensuring efficient, reliable, and safe transportation services is paramount for public transportation authorities across the continent. According to recent studies, the public transport sector in Europe has been experiencing significant growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% projected over the next decade. For one such authority, a leading system integrator specialized in customized embedded and IoT solutions based in Europe, who recently won a government bid to upgrade local city buses, modernizing their fleet to meet the growing demands of passengers and regulatory requirements was a top priority. When they sought to upgrade their buses with advanced in-vehicle industrial touch screen computing solutions, they turned to DFI for expertise and innovation.
The Challenge
Our customer faced several challenges in their quest to modernize their fleet of city buses. Their existing in-vehicle panel PC systems were outdated, lacking the processing power and features required to meet the evolving needs of modern transportation networks. Additionally, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards, such as E-Mark certification and ISO 7637/ISO 16750 standards, posed a significant hurdle. Moreover, navigating the complex landscape of government bids and procurement processes was a time-consuming and challenging task.
The Solution
Enter DFI's In-Vehicle System – a cutting-edge solution designed to address the specific requirements of commercial vehicle applications. Featuring a 10.1" fanless touch screen PC, robust processing power, and a range of connectivity options, the In-Vehicle Computer DFI developed for the customer was the perfect fit for their city buses.
1. Enhanced Driver Behavior Monitoring
The In-Vehicle System incorporates an IMU sensor: 6-axis IMU Sensor (3 accelerometers + 3 gyroscopes), pivotal for monitoring driver behavior, motion sensing, harsh braking, and impact detection. Utilizing a sophisticated three-core, six-axis structure, it accurately detects 6 DoF (Six Degrees of Freedom) data, including acceleration and gyroscope data along three axes: forward, backward, left, right, up, and down. Leveraging advanced sensing technology, the In-Vehicle industrial touchscreen PC precisely identifies driver behavior, amplifying driving safety and delivering drivers a more assured driving experience.
2. Advanced Power Protection Management
The In-Vehicle touchscreen system features Power Ignition control function which shields the vehicle battery from voltage instability while monitoring battery voltage to prevent anomalies. Its broad voltage design significantly enhances the vehicle battery's longevity and mitigates damage from voltage fluctuations. By furnishing a stable power supply, it guarantees seamless operation of vehicle systems, effectively forestalling vehicle malfunctions stemming from irregular battery voltages and markedly enhancing driving safety.
3. Perfect Balance - Energy Efficiency Vs Value
Boasting the NXP i.MX8M platform, the In-Vehicle touch panel PC achieves an ideal fusion of high performance and energy efficiency. Pairing the NXP Cortex-A53 1.3GHz architecture with superior computing prowess and efficient power management capabilities, the all-in-one industrial panel PC adeptly strikes a balance between efficiency and cost.
4. Industry-Leading Brightness Levels
The In-Vehicle touchscreen PC showcases an impressive screen brightness of up to 1,200 nits, eclipsing the industry-standard 1,000 nits. This elevation in screen luminosity enhances visibility, ensuring drivers can operate the device with clarity and safety across varied lighting conditions even under direct sunlight environments.
5. Unmatched Certification Proficiency
Beyond common industry certifications like CE/FCC/RoHS/UL94V0, DFI extends support in securing E-Mark and ISO7637/16750 certifications. Notably, DFI's In-vehicle system also adhere to ITxPT design specifications, simplifying customers' pursuit of membership in the European Public Transport Information Technology Standard (ITxPT) and successfully streamlined government bidding process for our customer.
The Results
By integrating DFI's In-Vehicle touchscreen PC into their city buses, our customer experienced a transformative shift in their transportation operations. Bus drivers were equipped with advanced information and communication tools, enabling them to provide a higher level of service to passengers. Moreover, our customer achieved full regulatory compliance, thanks to our assistance in obtaining essential certifications and standards. With DFI as their trusted partner, our customer could confidently navigate government bids and procurement processes, securing contracts and bids with ease.
In conclusion, DFI's In-Vehicle system proved to be the perfect solution for our customer's city bus fleet, offering enhanced functionality, regulatory compliance, and seamless integration into existing systems. With DFI's expertise and innovation, our customer was able to modernize their transportation operations, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and safety for passengers across Europe's bustling city streets.
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