LoRaWAN-Based Assets Tracking System For Honda Cars India Limited

Introduction

Honda Cars India Limited, a renowned automotive manufacturer, is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency. To enhance the management of vehicles in its CQA, Honda opted for a LoRaWAN-based asset tracking system. This overview explains the rationale behind this choice, emphasizing the specific benefits and improvements achieved through the implementation of LoRaWAN technology in managing defective vehicles.

Challenges with Previous Management Systems

1. Limited Visibility:

   Traditional tracking methods offered inadequate visibility into the precise location and status of defective vehicles within the department, leading to inefficiencies in tracking and managing these assets.

2. High Operational Costs:

   The existing systems were costly to maintain and operate, with significant expenses related to infrastructure, power consumption, and manual labor.

3. Inefficient Data Collection:

   Manual data collection processes were prone to errors and delays, impacting the accuracy and timeliness of information crucial for decision-making.

4. Complex Environments:

   The diverse and dynamic environment of the defective car department required a robust solution capable of handling various obstacles and interferences.

BLE Beacons on Walls

Function:

• BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacons are small devices placed on walls within the parking area. They emit signals at regular intervals.
• These signals contain unique identifiers that help in marking specific locations within the parking area.

Operation:

• When a vehicle equipped with a GPS tracker enters the vicinity, it can detect these BLE signals.
• The GPS tracker uses these signals to determine its position relative to the fixed beacons, which can enhance the accuracy of the vehicle's location data.

GPS Trackers with LoRaWAN in Vehicles

Function:

• Each vehicle has a GPS tracker with LoRaWAN connectivity. The GPS tracker determines the vehicle's location using GPS satellites.
• The LoRaWAN module in the tracker allows it to send the location data to a remote server over long distances.

Operation:

• The GPS tracker continuously receives signals from GPS satellites to calculate the vehicle’s location.
• Using LoRaWAN ensures low power consumption and long-range communication, making it ideal for extensive parking areas.

LoRaWAN Gateway

Function:

• The LoRaWAN gateway acts as a bridge between the GPS trackers in the vehicles and the network server.
• It receives data from multiple GPS trackers and forwards it to the network server.

Operation:

• The gateway collects data packets sent by the GPS trackers.
• It then uses Ethernet connectivity to transmit this data to the LoRaWAN network server for further processing.
• The gateway ensures efficient and reliable communication between the trackers and the server.

LoRaWAN Network Server with Panel PC

Function:

• The network server is the central hub that processes and manages data received from the LoRaWAN gateway.
• The panel PC serves as an interface for administrators to monitor and interact with the system.

Operation:

• The server receives data from the LoRaWAN gateway via Ethernet.
• It processes this data to determine the precise locations of the vehicles within the parking area.
• The processed data is then available to various connected devices for real-time monitoring and management.

Terminals and Handheld Devices

Function:

• Terminals and handheld devices provide users with access to the processed data from the network server.
• They allow for real-time monitoring and management of the parking area.

Operation:

• Terminals:

  • Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected to the network server via Ethernet.
  • They display real-time data about the location and status of vehicles, allowing for efficient management of the parking area.

• Handheld Devices:

  • These devices connect to the network server wirelessly via Wi-Fi.
  • They enable mobile access to the system, allowing users to monitor and manage the parking area from anywhere within the Wi-Fi range.

Products Used In Honda Project

UniConverge Technologies Responsibilities in Honda’s Asset Tracking Project

• Mapping of Floor Plan in the Software with GPS Coordinates

  UniConverge Technologies initiated the project by accurately mapping the floor plan of Honda's defective car department within the software. This involved integrating GPS coordinates to create a precise and detailed representation of the facility in the digital map.

• Creation of Custom Map Layer for Honda Car Factory

  A custom map layer was developed specifically for the Honda Car Factory. This layer included all relevant features and landmarks of the facility, allowing for an intuitive and user-friendly interface for tracking and managing vehicles.

• Design and Development of Software for Vehicle Management

  UniConverge Technologies designed and developed specialized software to facilitate the addition and removal of vehicles in the tracking system. This software ensures seamless integration of new vehicles and efficient management of existing ones within the tracking system.

• Design of Tracking System with History Feature

  A comprehensive tracking system was designed with a history feature that allows for the timeline tracking of each vehicle. This feature provides a detailed log of vehicle movements and statuses, enhancing traceability and accountability.

• Installation of Local Ethernet-Based Network

  To ensure robust and reliable communication, a local Ethernet-based network was installed. This network connects the gateway, server, and terminals, facilitating efficient data transmission and system integration.

• Installation of Terminals for Vehicle Tagging

  Terminals were installed for tagging vehicles with defects and tested OK reports. These terminals enable quick and accurate identification of vehicle statuses, streamlining the management process within the defective car department.

• Installation of BLE Beacons for Indoor Positioning

  BLE beacons were strategically installed throughout the facility to enhance indoor positioning accuracy. These beacons work in conjunction with the GPS trackers in the vehicles to provide precise location data, improving the overall efficiency of the tracking system.

Honda's Responsibilities in Asset Tracking Project

• Vehicle Identification

  Honda will provide a system for vehicle identification, allowing for the pairing of vehicles with trackers either through barcode scanning or manual entry of the vehicle ID.

• Zone Identification and Navigation

  Honda will assign ID/name tags to different zones within the facility and install appropriate signage and navigation aids, such as stickers or boards, to facilitate easy navigation.

• Secure Server and Monitoring Location

  Honda will designate a secure location with a reliable power supply for the server and monitor, enabling access to the cars' location data.

• Networking and Gateway Installation

  Honda will identify suitable installation points for networking cables, including Ethernet cables connecting the network server to the gateway, and provide a designated spot for mounting the gateway.

Application Features

1. Alarms and Alarms History

Our software provides comprehensive alarm features, including:

• Low Battery Alerts:

  Receive notifications when a tracker's battery is low.

• Geofencing Alarms:

  Get alerts if an asset moves outside the designated area.

• Inactivity Alarms:

  Identify cars that have not sent their location to the system for an extended period.

• Alarm Management:

  Inactivity alarms can only be cleared by an admin, while all other alarms will be automatically removed from the frontend but retained in the admin section, showing the creation and clearance times.

2. Real-Time Asset Tracking

Track the real-time location of assets through the LoRaWAN network using beacons and trackers. This ensures accurate and up-to-date location data for efficient asset management.

3. Beacon Management

• Add Beacons:

  Easily add new beacons to the system.

• Show Beacons:

  View a list of all active beacons.

• Beacon Location Map:

  Display the locations of all beacons on a map for better spatial awareness.

4. Tracker Management

• Register Tracker:

  Register new trackers into the system.

• Show Tracker:

  View details of all registered trackers.

5. Car Tracking History

• Car Tracker History:

  Access detailed history logs of car movements tracked by the system.

• Car Linked History:

  View historical data on car and tracker linkages.

6. Car Link Status

Monitor the current status of cars linked to trackers, ensuring that all assets are correctly paired and accounted for.