Nordic Bluetooth low energy-powered safe driving device deters dangerous driving practices and provides incident reports to company fleet operators
About Symmetry Electronics
Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies.
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Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.
Nordic Semiconductor today announces that Shiga, Japan-based, Optex Co., Ltd., has launched SAFE METER, a safe driving support device designed to deter dangerous driving in company and fleet cars which uses Nordic’s Bluetooth® low energy technology. SAFE METER is based on Braveridge’s BVMCN5103 Bluetooth low energy module which employs Nordic’s multiple award-winning nRF51822 System-on-Chip (SoC).
In operation, SAFE METER adheres to the dashboard of a vehicle and records sudden acceleration and braking, as well as irregular steering via the device’s built-in three-axis accelerometer. Optex explains that the device provides the driver with immediate feedback via alarms and icons in the event of potential accidents so they can take corrective action. SAFE METER also provides the driver with an easy to understand careful driving ‘count’ display, designed to promote safe driving awareness. The fewer logged ‘incidents’ during a trip, the higher the count, displayed numerically on the device’s display.
The device is paired to the user’s Bluetooth 4.0 (and later) smartphone or tablet―using the Nordic-powered Braveridge module’s Bluetooth low energy wireless connectivity―allowing the driver’s performance metrics to be downloaded to the iOS- and Android-compatible SAFE METER app. From the app, the driver’s travel summary logs can be uploaded to the company’s Cloud platform, from where, for example, fleet managers can review the driving performance of their staff.
Powered by a single lithium battery, the device provides up to 12 months operation in standard operation between replacement, thanks in part to the ultra low power consumption of the Nordic SoC.
Nordic’s nRF51822 is a powerful and flexible multiprotocol SoC ideally suited for Bluetooth low energy and 2.4GHz ultra low-power wireless applications. The nRF51822 is built around a 32-bit ARM® Cortex™ M0 CPU with 256kB/128kB flash and 32kB/16kB RAM. The embedded 2.4GHz transceiver is fully compliant with Bluetooth 4.2.
“We selected the Braveridge module because it is based on Nordic’s nRF51822 SoC which provided us with a simple and easy way to upload logged data to the Cloud via a smartphone,” says Toru Ukai, Manager, Marketing & Planning, Corporate Strategy Division at Optex Co. Ltd.
“The other key factor was the ability to minimize battery power consumption, thanks to the fast wake-up, short RF active time, and minimal standby power consumption of the nRF51822 SoC. The Nordic SoC’s low power consumption also allowed us to divert the remaining battery capacity to enriching the device’s user interface.”
About Symmetry Electronics
Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies.
Exponential Technology Group Member
Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.