really fast android

Really fast Android: AMG Performance Media

Jörg PleumannProject Manager Mobile Solutions AndroidMEDION AG

DroidConBerlin, March 14th, 2012

Me● Until October

● Head of Android Development● Noser Engineering, Winterthur, CH● Lots of cool Android projects!

● Since November● Android SW Project Manager● MEDION AG, Essen, DE● Lots of cool Android projects! :)

Need help?Contact them!

Need help?Contact them!

Want to join?Contact me!

Want to join?Contact me!

Android so far...● Phones● Tablets● Media Players● Set-Top Boxes● Connected Home● Watches

What could be the next big thing?What could be the next big thing?

Project Setting● Mercedes-AMG GmbH

● German maker of high-end sports cars● SLS-AMG (571 PS V8 @ 317 km/h)● Approached Noser in 2009

● Goal: Supplementary on-board system● Telemetry● Racing● Internet / Apps

● Should be based on Android

?

Hardware (I)

Hardware (II)

Hardware (III)● Minimally invasive approach

● Modification of the head unit impossible● System had to co-exist with head unit● Shared WVGA display and controls

● Additional ARM-based board● Freescale i.MX 35 with 256 KB RAM● Already used within Daimler● Linux drivers existed

● UMTS / WLAN router

Software● Feasibility & stepwise refinement● Modified Android 2.x● Challenges

● Porting and modifying Android● Extensive, attractive application on top● Special automotive requirements● From evaluation to mass production

Some interesting points to followSome interesting points to follow

Screen & Controls● Display & controls shared with Head Unit

● User switches explicitly using a button● System can also switch on-demand● Head unit messages appear in popup

● Not a touchscreen● Controls serve as cursor pad / trackball● Standard Android keys exist● Virtual mouse mode

Telemetry● System needs to access CAN data● Additional CAN board acts as firewall● Events come in via SPI● Delivery to application layer via service● Loosely modeled after Android sensor

interface● Class CanManager● Class CanListener Not public, sorry! :)Not public, sorry! :)

Security● Theme is distraction-free driving

● Minimum font sizes● Maximum response times

● Special challenge: Apps● Imagine Angry Birds at 300 km/h● System enters „DriveMode“ when in motion● Only specially signed apps allowed to run● Others have limited access to display

Testing● Automated JUnit

tests● Manual click-

through tests● Software CAN

simulator● Tests with the real

hardware

Results● It works!● Officially unveiled at IAA 2011● Available for AMG-SLS Coupe and Roadster

Impressions (I)

Impressions (II)

Impressions (III)

Impressions (IV)

Impressions (V)

Impressions (VI)

Impressions (VII)

Impressions (VIII)

Impressions (IX)

Impressions (X)

Video

Action!Action!

What are the others doing?● Automotive Android

● SAIC: Roewe 350● Continental: AutoLinQ● SAAB: Iqcon● Renault: R-Link● Google & General Motors: Electro mobility

● Connected Android / iPhone● Harmann: Android Accessory Development Kit● BMW Mini Connect

Summary● Android suitable for automotive● Some modifications needed

● Telemetry data● Security requirements

● You get a lot of things for free● Complete, extensible software stack● Modern, touch-based user interface● Good time-to-market (thanks to Java)

● My guess is: It will happen

NOSER ENGINEERING AGTalackerstrasse 99CH-8400 Winterthur

+41 52 23456 11 (phone)

thomas.chassaing@noser.comwww.noser.com

joerg.pleumann@medion.comwww.medion.com

Thankyou!

Thankyou!