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A finger on the pulse of trucks

NIE students develop technology to help drivers understand vehicles better
Last Updated 24 May 2011, 17:23 IST
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Providing unique solution to this problem, five students of National Institute of Engineering (NIE) have taken the first step in reducing the burden on truck drivers by providing an audio and graphic interface that describes the problem to truckers in their local language.

As part of their eighth semester engineering project NIE students - Ajay P V, Ashwini K, Ganesh Hegde, Rakesh R and Richa K S under the guidance of Electronics and Communication Department lecturer M S Vijay Kumar, co-guides NECAT Assistant Manager Kishore Kumar N and NIE Principal Dr G L Shekar have developed the ‘Audio and Graphic Interface for Electronic Control Unit of Antilock Braking System (ABS) using ARM Processor’.

Describing the project to Deccan Herald, the students said that the project has been designed keeping in mind Eicher trucks and also restricting the interface to only the ABS.
At present a blinking bulb is provided in Eicher trucks that give an indication of the fault with the ABS. However, based on the number of times the bulb blinks, the driver has to look at a chart and identify the problem.

But as many drivers are illiterate, it would be difficult for them to decode the chart and identify the problem. In order to solve this problem, the young group thought of providing a graphic display through which the drivers can easily identify the problem.

The ABS system is controlled by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which also scans for the electrical health of the different subsystems and assemblies.

By using the interface developed by the students, once the ignition is switched on, the system scans for the faults in the ABS and displays it on a 3.5 inch touch screen LCD.
The students say that the display unit is economical and resides on dash board eliminating the need to connect any external devices.

As a value addition, the interface also gives an audio describes the fault to the driver in the local language.

The students say that the applications can be developed similarly for cars using ABS.
The project was taken up under the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre introduced by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

What is Anti-lock Braking System?

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is an electronic system, an add-on to the existing air brake system, which can prevent the vehicle from skidding.

The braking system of any vehicle must be capable of slowing and stopping the vehicle safely within the reasonable speed limits. During panic braking situation, even an experienced driver can apply more brake than necessary, causing wheel lock up especially on slippery roads.

This may cause skidding and the driver may also lose control, often causing accidents. In order to stop vehicles during hard-braking without losing stability, the system should apply the brakes quickly, at the same time it must release them quickly so that the driver can quickly regain control in the event of the wheel getting locked. 

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(Published 24 May 2011, 17:23 IST)

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