e-SUV Updates 1: More details about the project

So, people have been asking us for more information about the e-SUV. Yes, I know we don't yet have a project webpage, but we'll get there. There's too much to do and not enough time. We've chosen the SUV, it'll be a 1999-200x Opel Frontera (aka Vauxhaull Frontera, Honda Passport, Holden Frontera, Chevrolet Frontera, Isuzu Cameo, Isuzu Vega, Isuzu Frontier and Chevrolet Rodeo...). Why? Because it's the cheapest around here with good looks, post 1997 (for the OBDII-compliant ECU), airbag and ABS equipped and the engine is not so bad. We've already received the OBDII cable and we've tested a few. One of them was in so bad shape the OBDII cable couldn't even detect it and the engine sounded like it was crying for a coffin.

So, what are we planning on doing?

• Removing the transmission, the clutch and everything directly attached to the belt;
• Attaching a better alternator to the engine to provide sufficient power;
• Replacing the wheels with hub electric wheels that can act both as motors and brakes (regenerative braking);
• Adding batteries for a resonable duration of city driving between recharges to reduce the need to resort to the fuel-engine, but not too much that it completely offsets the weight reduction from the removal of the other parts;
• Figuring out a mechanism so that the hydraulic brakes are used automatically as backup in case of failure of regenerative braking;
• Making sure the power-steering is electric instead of pneumatic;
• Adding a secondary ECU to regulate diesel engine acceleration based on several parameters to optimize fuel consumption (including slope, terrain type, proximity to curves - using data from navigation - etc.);
• Replacing the instrument panel with a screen with information more appropriately displayed and additional information that helps the driver enjoying a more economic and safe driving experience (including detection of traffic signs, speed limits, etc.)
• Adding a navigation/communication/multimedia console that fully integrates with the vehicle and controls everything else;
• Adding a windshield-projected HUD - this one we still have to investigate further as we suspect the glass will need some special coating or treatment;
• Adding more security features to prevent theft and safety features for emergencies (alarm, electronic engine locking, an Onstar-like emergency system, all sides parking sensors, camera based parking assistance, collision avoidance, road-radar, parking collison detection - so you know who and when someone ruined your car while you had it parked - etc).

This is what we intend to build... If we'll succeed, we don't know, it depends on the amount of funding we get.

Any more questions? Feel free to post them or send them by e-mail.

Cheers.

New Project: The e-SUV

We have a new project! We do not have a page for it yet, and we'll wait for the new website until we give it one. But we have already created an IndieGogo campaign for it. We plan to convert an SUV into an hybrid electric vehicle. It will be an electric range-extended SUV. Check the campaign page for more details.

Goodies

Thank you Intel for the lovely gift which will help us move forward with our R&D efforts on your platforms.

(On the picture: Two of the four Intel Xeon E5-26xx processors that arrived for us today.)

Package Doctor Search

Package Doctor now allows for searching packages on the package repository and displays the various alternatives. It was easy enough to create and it came as a pleasant birthday gift for me.

root@workstation:~$ pkd -f binutils
[ Package Doctor ] package management system
Copyright 2010-2012 Onda Technology Institute
* sys-devel/binutils ( 2.20.1, 2.22 )

Package Doctor First Success

Success! Package Doctor has now created its first binary package! This package management system is now able to fully create binary packages ready to install from the source and the corresponding ".pkd" file. This makes it closer to be ready for download for world-wide testing. The system is entirely built on BASH scripts and works quite well, making use of UnionFS-FUSE to keep everything isolated. The next step is to check the performance of the system while compiling over a FUSE-based mount, to determine if the performance loss over building directly over the real filesystem is significant. Stay tuned.

# pkd -b binutils01
[ Package Doctor ] package management system
Copyright 2010-2012 Onda Technology Institute
[ OK ] Downloading binutils-2.20.1.tar.bz2
[ OK ] Preparing build environment for package "binutils" (binutils)
[ OK ] Unpacking binutils 2.20.1
[ OK ] Preparing to compile binutils
[ OK ] Compiling binutils
[ OK ] Installing binutils
[ OK ] Building binary package /System/Data/L0/default.profile/packages/binutils-2.20.1.pkb.tar.bz2
[ OK ] Cleaning up.

Monthly Updates: August 2011

It is time for an update on our activities. I think we'll be doing this every month, from now on, so you know we're alive and as well as possible. So, let's start:

1. We're still figthing local bureaucracy. We had a tough time trying to make everything official as even official documentation is either wrong or seriously outdated.
2. We now have a bank account for donations and to manage our funds without relying solely on our Paypal account.
3. There has been progress regarding the agreements we are trying to establish. We are looking for alliances with several entities so we can provide better conditions for our associates and contributors. However, unfortunately, all of the ongoing agreements have been arranjed with local businesses, which means that, for now, only our fellow countrymen are elligible. But we didn't forget everyone else and we are going to attempt to reach international agreements also.
4. We've been updating regularly our website, adding new details, new information, correcting every mistake we find.
5. We are going to attempt to get recognition as a technical training institution which will allow us to go much further than we've been able so far.
6. Our first book has already seen some sales, but still very shy so far. It could become a very important source of funding for our projects.

On other news, the debate on patents is heating up again. With a strong war going on between Apple and Samsung, and patent trolling stories emerging like mushrooms everyday, it seems that our IP Protection Fund initiative came right on time but its success depends on how it is received and perceived.

We wish you well and you're always welcome here.

Cheers.

Launched new initiative, the IP Protection Fund

Today we launched our new initiative, the IP Protection Fund, that we like to call the Anti-Patent-Troll. We hope that, with this new activity we may be able to fight that plague that has been preventing significant advances and casting a shadow over several open projects that have merit. It is made to protect both the owners of IP and the users of that IP, presenting a fair model for everyone. Please take a look at the site for more details.

Looking for a new home

Our current home is, at best, temporary. Onda Technology Institute needs a new headquarters. We are currently in the process of selecting potential sites (we don't need much more than a small office space in a location with good road access and appropriate telecommunications infrastructure). We need to take into account the cost, since we, as a non-profit, have severe limitations on our budget. We would also like to hear from all of you about suggestions of features and things to implement on the new headquarters, as well as specific characteristics we should look for or potential location sites.

Best regards

Officially a non-profit NGO

Today, Onda Technology has been finally registered as a non profit, non governmental organization, a process that took a long time due to some unforeseen circumstances which included personal loss and poorly written, incomplete and outdated information from the official state-run websites.

What does this mean? It means that we are finally able to proceed with our goals and to seek the necessary funding to support our projects. It means we are now a recognized entity and we'll be able to write you a receipt for tax purposes for deduction of your donations. And it also means we'll finally have access to a whole lot of very important benefits that will greatly improve productivity by adding to our available tools and resources. So, stay tuned as we do our best to make this institution grow and provide the world with innovative solutions and technologies.

Welcome

Welcome to Onda Technology Report. Here you'll be able to find a lot of information regarding technology in general such as articles, editorials, news, reviews and much more. It will also be one of the primary means to know more about the evolution of Onda Technology Institute. We'll do our best to provide you with up to date and accurate news and to make this an important tool to stay informed. You are welcome to visit us anytime you want.

We hope you enjoy.

Best regards