Introduction

Parelec’s iLocate™ active RFID solution has been designed with the automotive industry’s needs in mind. iLocate™ delivers a feature packed, low cost active RFID solution to answer the growing need for process automation, remote data collection and real time location in the car and truck rental, leasing and auction markets.

How does it work?

The core information gathering device is the SA (Smart Agent™) tag, which is attached to the vehicle. Each Smart Agent™ tag is equipped with a powerful processor, executing customizable embedded software to answer changing customer needs. Unlike many of the active RFID vendors in the market today, the iLocate Smart Agent tags are installed with an RF transiver, capable of two-way data communication, so tags do not have to periodically transmit their ID into the air. The two-way communication feature and the tag’s processing unit transforms the Smart Agent tag into an advanced network device, capable of responding to a system’s request as well as reporting events generated by an internal trigger in the tag (e.g. sensing a gate beacon’s RF signal). Interfaced to the vehicle’s ODB II API through the tag’s digital port, tags can interrogate the car’s computer and report odometer reading, fuel level, mechanical problems or any other data field available. An optional motion sensor could register shock events if desired.
The system supports three levels of location: <1foot high accuracy, zone location and gate directional (entry or exit) location. Further details on location methodology and features are available in the technology section of this paper below.

Unified Vehicle Identification and Tracking Solution – Key Deliverables:

A single technology provides for automated, location aware, identification and data communication with tagged vehicles throughout the vehicle’s life cycle.

Remote data capture enables

• Automated odometer reading – Mileage
• Automated fuel level reading – Directly from the car’s computer
• Reporting of mechanical problems registered in the car’s computer
• Shock sensor reporting – a road-accident indicator.
• Optional remote engine shut off – in the event of a movement that has not been authorized the tags will shut the car’s engine off.

Location-aware services:

• Vehicle identification at the gate provides for
  • Automated stock: check-in / checkout /real time in-yard inventory
  • Non-revenue movement control
  • Performance statistics
• High-accuracy down to a parking spot location removes the hassle of searching for cars in a large lot.
• Post-rental process monitoring:
  • Automated status: re-fueling and washing.
  • Ready for service pickup status

A unified data collection solution for

• Reduced IT costs through consolidation of many IT solutions into a single platform
• No data entry errors, no data entry costs
• Reduction in floor staff or the ability to relocate staff to other functions.
• Real-time data collection and reporting.

Low Cost System and infrastructure

• Our Smart Agent™ tags have minimized the need for high cost infrastructure. By using state of the art technology we have been able to reduce the price of the hardware, tags and installation.

Modular system

• The system’s modular architecture and location technology makes the installation process easy and painless. A site manager can actually add new location zones herself, just by plugging a new beacon device to the power system.
• A single technology supports high accuracy as well as zone location – based on the same tags, same basic infrastructure. New functionalities and features can be added to the system while maintaining the investment made on day-one.

Please visit the downloads area for further details on available solutions and automotive application white paper download.