PowerTools Designing for mobility with web based diagnostics for Volvo Cars

Abstract

This is a report for a Master Thesis project in Mobile Informatics carried out at Volvo Cars Costumer Service in Gothenburg, Sweden. This master thesis project explore the use of Internet technologies within the research areas Mobile Informatics and Telematics. The project was carried out as a part of an ongoing project, Volvo Aftersales and Diagnostics Information System Next Generation (VADIS NG) at Volvo Cars Costumer Service (VCCS).

The project and the research within were defined by Volvo Cars as follows: Develop a vehicle communication system using existing vehicle communication interface. The system shall be based on such architectural principals so that it can be deployed in various infrastructure scenarios predefined for the new version of VADIS/VADIS2004. The outline of this master thesis project was set by VADIS NG, which is an ongoing project at Volvo for developing a new version of the existing workshop tool system, VADIS.

To meet the requirements defined, a layered, system architecture was presented. The system introduced the use of. NET based web services and rich applications, PowerTools, developed in Macromedia FLASH and new XML-based Scripts, PowerScript for definition and control of the PowerTools applications. This layered architecture allows the system to be configured differently based on user mobility, user preferences and user task.

A functional prototype was developed for demonstration of the system. The application was developed in Macromedia FLASH using .NET web services developed in C#. The prototype demonstrated simple diagnostic s sessions using PowerTools for monitoring and controlling various features and functions in the vehicle, for example monitoring the vehicle engine speed and running condition or turning on the headlights.

The technical and architectural principals presented within the project would be the same as principals used for a Telematics system. Hence a future implementation of such services for third party service suppliers can be based on the same ideas.

The system and the prototype were evaluated at a reference group meeting. The mobile aspects of the system architecture were demonstrated by remotely controlling the vehicle. The results reached by this Master Thesis Project will hopefully help the development of the Vehicle Communication parts of VADIS2004 and function as a technical reference base for future implementation and deployment of the system in various infrastructure scenarios