GPS Tracking and Analysis Project Testers

adubb · 01-03-2007, 01:34 PM

UPDATE: *New client beta has been released, invitation code has been removed*

[INTRO/HISTORY]
Hi Everyone,

A friend and myself conducted a research project for college on GPS tracking and we came up with a pretty cool product that you CarPC enthusiasts might benifit from.

I know theres similar things already out there but we'd like to share ours and hopefully get some Beta testers to develop some - feedback on the software. We're also finishing up an API to welcome programmers to program trackers for other devices such as PocketPC's, SmartPhones, Blackberrys ect ect.. in the future..

[HOW IT WORKS?]
This is NOT a GPS navigation system. This service lets you track your car or trips and displays it on a website so it can be viewed from anywhere in the world at any point in time. As of now once you signup:

1) You will get to download a client developed in java that works with windows XP (tested).
2) You then install it on your carpc/laptop.
4) Client works both OFFLINE & ONLINE (internet connection)

- Automatically checks for internet connection and goes in online/offline mode.

ONLINE MODE: (client with internet connection)

- Reads data from the GPS reciever, and stores the data locally on carpc.
- It can use wifi (wireless routers) or GPRS or any means of mobile connection
- Uploads the data to the server using specified interval (5-60 sec)
- New data compression method has been implemented for live tracking (low bandwidth)
- LIVE tracking can be done e.g a family member can log into the website from any part of the world and be able to see exactly where your car is, what speed its going at, what direction and where its been. Can be used in case of auto theft etc.
- Incase the internet connection is lost, the client will still log data and upload it upon successful connection

OFFLINE MODE: (client with no present internet connection)
- incase of no internet connection, the client will log your GPS data locally on the carpc/laptop in a log file
- log file can later be uploaded on the website for temporary preview of the trip or can have it archived for.

[FEATURES]
- Offline/Online Tracking Client (Free)
- Web Interface for Tracking your GPS device/carpc etc
- LIVE tracking
- Archived Trip logs
- Group/Fleet Tracking
- and Many more to come....

[COST]
NewBend service is Absolutely FREE! Any comments / questions would be appreciated!

[REQUIREMENTS]
- CarPC (Windows 9x/XP(tested)/Vista)
- GPS Reciever
- Wifi / GRPS or any internet connection

Note: You must have a GPS receiver and download the client. You dont need an internet connection but if you would like to try live tracking on your CarPC its recommended you do

[LINKS]
http://NewBend.com
http://www.newbend.com/forum - Official Discussion Board

adubb · 01-03-2007, 04:52 PM

Heres some screenshots of a few of these features we've incorperated...

System Automatically archives all your trips nicely
screen_1.gif
Monitor current online gps devices and where they are (OFFLINE SCREENSHOT)
screen_2.gif
View Previously Recorded trips and stats.
- See SPEED patterns
screen_3.gif
Monitor current online gps devices and where they are (ONLINE SCREENSHOT)
- See SPEED patterns live.
screen_4.gif
Group Tracking (Track Friends or Fleets)
screen_6.gif

Nomader · 01-03-2007, 05:36 PM

1 question.. when uploading things back to the server, are things kept small to get low GPRS data transfer?? GPRS IS EXPENSIVE... can u explain more on ho it works..
i would be interested on testing it

thanatos106 · 01-03-2007, 05:45 PM

Now that I have an evdo card in my truck I wouild like to try something like this.

Thanatos.

adubb · 01-03-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Nomader

1 question.. when uploading things back to the server, are things kept small to get low GPRS data transfer?? GPRS IS EXPENSIVE... can u explain more on ho it works..
i would be interested on testing it

Good point, thats why we made this. We sort of geared our first client towards the CarPC just because of thoughs circumstances...

You download the .Net client to your carPC and install it. The client runs as a service. You need a standard GPS unit you would use on your carPC (around 50bucks for the one I have). Now in order to do live tracking currently with the current program you would need a Wifi connection (thats what we're gearing it towards) ....BUT.... The client works offline with no connection... and will constantly roam for a connection, once it acknowledges a connection to the server api... It dumps all the data and continues the tracking process..

Now this is the easy and cheap method of doing it.. We have an API in the making that we want to allow other services for this to work on.. ie Cellphones,PDA, smartphone,GRPS, BB's, Other GPS units but thats all in the works..

The v.1 client we've developed lets anyone with a carPC and GPS receiver track for free and easy with minimal hardware for now. But the online interface/system is expandable to many different future options.

For now the client upload's data to the server every minute (if connected to the net). Approx size of data is about 4kb/min max when constantly logging.

WaterLift · 01-03-2007, 06:57 PM

Hi Guys,

This is looking pretty damn sweet.

If I can offer some suggestions:
- Can you make it automatically dial & redial the connection if it is dropped? (happens a lot on GPRS

)
- auto search GPS device with baud rate for high speed gps devices @ 38400 baud (manual setting too of course)
- make 2 little taskbar icons, 1 for the connection status, 1 for successfull upload (maybe red/green indicators) so we can minimize the screen
- upload speed can be increased with increments of 5 seconds starting at every 5 seconds then 10s, 15s, 20s, etc... (1 minute is kinda long)
- Traffic counter (so we can track the usage of the GRPS)

If you need a guinea pig to test, I'm ready & willing. Got 2 GPS devices in my car, 1 regular & 1 with TMC @ 38400 baud.

Greetz,

WaterLift

Cheekz185 · 01-03-2007, 08:42 PM

how long does it take to get the email confirmation after registering>

adubb · 01-03-2007, 09:07 PM

Hi, Just PM'd you. Its probably just going into your SPAM or JUNK box.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cheekz185

how long does it take to get the email confirmation after registering>

GizmoQ · 01-03-2007, 11:53 PM

Pardon me for being blunt, but how long is this beta planned for? I'd hate to get involved and after 2 or 3 months after we get all your bugs out and getting addicted to the functionality have to pay a monthly subscription or worse yet you guys disappear completely off the net.

Is the server hosted on your university network? I ask this cause prime travel times usually occur when those systems are down.

What are you offering your beta testors? I am/have been a beta tester for several commercial as well as open source software/hardware products. Many offer released versions for free to beta testers or free usage from 1 year to forever.

I'm not trying to be rude, just wanna know where you're coming from and where you're going?

sama · 01-04-2007, 05:19 AM

Quote:

[COST]
NewBend service is Absolutely FREE! If you are intrested in receiving an invitation code for beta testing send me a message, dont worry no costs its all free. Any comments / questions would be appreciated!

I think that explains it

adubb · 01-04-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by GizmoQ

Pardon me for being blunt, but how long is this beta planned for? I'd hate to get involved and after 2 or 3 months after we get all your bugs out and getting addicted to the functionality have to pay a monthly subscription or worse yet you guys disappear completely off the net.

Is the server hosted on your university network? I ask this cause prime travel times usually occur when those systems are down.

What are you offering your beta testors? I am/have been a beta tester for several commercial as well as open source software/hardware products. Many offer released versions for free to beta testers or free usage from 1 year to forever.

I'm not trying to be rude, just wanna know where you're coming from and where you're going?

hello, i appreciate you asked this question, it is and will remain free as it will be an open source, this is a research project not commercial. The servers for beta are dedicated servers which can later be upgraded depending on how beta goes etc.

GizmoQ · 01-04-2007, 09:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by adubb

hello, i appreciate you asked this question, it is and will remain free as it will be an open source, this is a research project not commercial. The servers for beta are dedicated servers which can later be upgraded depending on how beta goes etc.

O.K. sign me up.

adubb · 01-04-2007, 11:22 PM

check ur pm's for invitation code.

Jahntassa · 01-04-2007, 11:41 PM

Hm..I'd like to give this a shot now that I have an EVDO connection in the car. Now I just need to find a serial splitter that actually works (software)..hm..

max-o · 01-04-2007, 11:43 PM

I too would like to try it.