TatraApp is dead, here comes QCar - Page 10

defender90 · 04-19-2007, 05:59 AM

Hi Jirka,

If I have my MM connected with UTMS or GPRS to the internet. How many data (MB's) are the weather and rss module using aproximitly? And the google maps?

Jirka Jirout · 04-19-2007, 06:19 AM

The weather update is approximately 2-5 kBytes (images are stored locally, so we only download and upload XML data/requests).

I am not really sure about Google Maps, as it would depend very much on how often you zoom in/out and how far you travel. But one tile (256x256 pixels) is usually 20-30kBytes and two to three are displayed in the workarea and about 6 in the fullscreen mode. But I will check on some trips today and tomorrow and let you know.

The tracking beacon, if configured to broadcast the position every 10 seconds, generates about 80-90kBytes/hour of traffic (and this will be reduced to about half in the next release).

rdrr · 05-02-2007, 10:47 AM

Is there a sign up for the beta?

Jirka Jirout · 05-03-2007, 09:18 AM

We have finished the fully configurable support for Phidgets (this means both digital input and output lines which were previously not supported) and integrated it with the steering wheel controls in our Range Rover. The Space Navigator controller module is also fully configurable now. The first version of voice memo recorder is done. Several bugs causing high CPU load were also fixed.

We should release a beta build for testing during the weekend and perhaps update the open demo version next week.

And last but not least, here goes some overview about perhaps the most expected function of QCar - the navigation.

First - we are working together with Routebuddy and we will be therefore using TeleAtlas as source of map data. There will be two or three versions of the navigation:

1. Basic offline navigation - you will plan your route externally, either on a web site, thru a call center or using desktop version of Routebuddy. This route gets exported into a gpx file and loaded by the plug-in in the vehicle - either thru online sync service or you can bring it on an iPod, flash drive etc. The plug-in in the car will load the file and guide you thru the route. This version will only show the route itself (including turns), but will not be directly linked to a map (perhaps it could be projected onto a Google Maps view). This basic version will not require any map engine or maps to be installed in the car. In case of re-routing, a completely new route will have to be re-created externally.

2. Mapping navigation - this will be very similar to TomTom etc. including map display, destination entry directly in vehicle etc. It will require the mapping engine and the appropriate maps to be installed in the car computer.

3. We may also have a non-mapping version, where basic data will be installed in the car and the user will be able to enter destination internally on the car computer instead of having to download it from an external source.

Both versions will be able to record a track and use it later as route. Both will also be able to do off-road navigation.

rdrr · 05-03-2007, 02:27 PM

Thats great! But will it parallel park by itself?

Just kidding, it sounds like this is a great application.

www.workingcars · 05-03-2007, 04:49 PM

Jirke, just to let you know, i have the GPS unit in the smart now, only have access in the car to the net until next week, but will be back into the site next week to sort the config for the tracking if that is cool with you.

Also while i'm here, i have spoken to a few potential clients, and they all keep asking the same question. For busines use. Is ti possible to write an app that will allow 2 USB cameras (front/rear) to record through quicktime and be burnable to disc in the event of an accident....?

The reason for this, is in the uk, the cost of insurance is greatly reduced to business if a recordable system is fitted to a business use vehicle.

Cheers.

Jirka Jirout · 05-04-2007, 07:55 AM

The cameras are doable. However, there are (as usually) few issues:

1. The current QuickTime API is a mess, while the Leopard API will be much better. So we are pretty reluctant to dive into the current stuff knowing it will be replaced by something better rather soon. Of course the delay of Leopard may make us to rethink this.

2. If we implemented this functionality, it would have to be supported by appropriate hardware. The recording is useless if it is destroyed in the accident, isn't it? And that can happen relatively easily with a normal hard drive. So at the very least, we would have to have a sufficiently sized solid state and well-protected storage for the recording, perhaps even two independent storages at different places in the car...

Jirka Jirout · 05-07-2007, 01:52 PM

A quick question regarding navigation. I have a first working version of turn-by-turn navigation that reads kml files created using Google Earth.

However, I am not really impressed by the quality of GE. The route itself is OK, but there are problems with address lookups and street names. It appears that although GE does know the names of the streets, uses them in instructions and can find businesses at these streets, it very often can NOT use them as either departure or destination points, which makes this rather problematic for navigation use.

Is this just a local problem here and does GE work better elsewhere?

joesan · 05-07-2007, 03:28 PM

Jirka,

Here in the UK postcode lookup works well and one can easily use that for door to door navigation. Street number lookup is not as good but GE is, I would say, eminently usable.

I like GE but the routing algorithms do not seem as efficient as the TomTom ones. TomTom to me is the gold standard for usability here.

Jirka Jirout · 05-07-2007, 03:54 PM

I tried the navigation yesterday on my trip from Prague to Holland and it did find the best route, same as TomTom. Routing in Czech republic was not as good, but still comparable to TomTom, with main problem being ignoring smaller roads. But I will play with it a bit more for shorter trips in the towns and see.

N6BER · 05-09-2007, 08:41 AM

Quick question, is the application Universal so I can check it out on my iMac G5 or do I have to wait till I get my new iMac? Pardon is this has been answered and I just missed it.

N6BER · 05-09-2007, 08:49 AM

You might want to talk to this group to see if some Mac drivers could be written. I think it would work great with the Mini.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/hard...en-making.html

Then maybe you already have

Jirka Jirout · 05-09-2007, 03:13 PM

The app is universal binary. I develop on a MacBook Pro, my colleague OC uses a PowerMac G4. In the cars it is the other way around - I have a PPC Mini, while OC uses an Intel one.

hammer32 · 05-09-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by N6BER

You might want to talk to this group to see if some Mac drivers could be written. I think it would work great with the Mini.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/hard...en-making.html

Then maybe you already have

Giddy up! I've had my car-destined Mac Mini for a while, this is what I'm waiting on to install it!

metalac · 05-24-2007, 05:29 PM

Just waking up the post, to see if there is any new info

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