The Endless Changing Technology – Michigan Automotive Recruiters

What is M2M, C2X, Bluetooth, and HMI?           

The benefit of working as an automotive electronics recruiter is the endless changing technology we get introduced to.  But we have to admit that we often find ourselves saying to the employer “what is that” M2M, C2X, HMI?  The technology is very exciting and challenging as we search for the Design, Software, Hardware Engineers and Managers in these industries, they are a very small niche and in high demand.

C2X

Technology cars can communicate with the road side infrastructure and with each other, even if the cars can’t ‘see’ each other in case a truck is driving in between them. It actually sees around corners or ‘through’ trucks in order to recognize traffic blocks or risks before they are visible to the human eye. Drivers therefore receive early warnings of cars hidden from sight behind trucks (when they suddenly brake) or approaching from around (hidden/dangerous) corners/intersections. Other use cases are warnings about emergency vehicles and traffic jams, or traffic light signals allowing drivers to adjust their speed and optimize driving.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth has actually been around since 1994! The technology and role it has in the infotainment’s of our automobiles is endlessly changing. Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology that allows people to conveniently connect their devices with other devices” and “the role of the technology is evolving to not only allow devices to talk with one another, but actually allow the seamless communication between devices, local applications and the cloud.”  Bluetooth can also be used to wirelessly control devices. For example by using Bluetooth to pair a Smartphone to some speakers not only can you send music from the phone to be played out of the speakers, but you can also then use the phone to adjust the volume, pause the music or skip track.

Bluetooth is the key part of the growing Internet of Things (IoT) – smart, connected devices covering everything from phones and watches to cars, washing machines and lights, which can all communicate with one another, or at least with any other devices that it could conceivably be useful to communicate with.

Bluetooth isn’t going away any time soon. In fact the recent update to version 4.1 has prepared it for a whole new generation of smart devices and could lead to it becoming a vital piece of infrastructure for the Internet of Things, but it’s not the only wireless technology around.

M2M

Machine to Machine refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices of the same type.

The connected car becomes a mobile hot spot complete with mobile apps with capabilities that range from diagnosing a problem with the car or closing the garage door and locking the doors when we leave home.  GPS systems have been optional in cars for over decade, but we can also talk to our automobiles to find the nearest restaurant or place a phone call. “There’s an app for that” is beginning to apply to our cars as much as to our smart phones.

The big trend on everyone’s agenda at the moment is big data, but in the world of machine-to-machine communications (M2M) it’s the small data that matters. M2M communications is helping automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) better understand their vehicles’ performance and driving behavior. This enables OEMs to develop and evolve relationships by having informed conversations with their customers (dealers, suppliers and consumers) and deliver new, innovative value added services.

In terms of the machine-to-machine industry as a whole, the automotive sector is by far the biggest, eclipsing its use in utilities, consumer goods and manufacturing. Some analysts predict that the sector will generate up to $199 billion in revenue in 2020. Adoption is being driven largely by EU regulations supporting the implementation of eCall. By 2015, all new cars will be required to have M2M technology that allows their car to automatically notify the nearest emergency center when the driver has been in a crash.

HMI

Human Machine Interface is an interface which permits interaction between a human being and a machine. Designing such interfaces is a challenge, and requires a great deal of work to make the interface functional, accessible, pleasant to use, and logical. HMIs, allows drivers to interact with their vehicle. In today’s automotive designs, the HMI also displays any feedback from the vehicle to the driver.

The interaction begins the instant one unlocks the car door, continues while driving, and ends the moment the driver gets out and locks the car. It involves the optimal balance of the driver’s sensory inputs to make the driving experience both safe and enjoyable.

Some of the more commonly recognized HMI system modules for enhancing the driver’s experience are keyless entry, power seats control, side mirror control, occupant detection, and most importantly, the vehicle’s center stack where the majority of human-machine interactions take place that allow drivers to control and access personal electronics devices, from cell phones to mp3 players, through the car’s infotainment system.

On the Mark Recruiting Specialists, Inc., the leading Michigan Automotive Recruiters specializes in automotive electronics and advanced electronic technologies that includes, wireless, telematics, hybrid, electric vehicle, solar and alternative energy markets.