About DataChassi AB

The idea that became DataChassi was born during a discussion regarding the fact that the value of theft from road transports is increasing. The current figure is over 8 billion euro per year in Europe, a number that is increasing, and there are surely also a large number of thefts which are not reported.

The idea in itself occurred during a bus trip to Hannover Fair when Torbjörn Birging and Werner Hilliges discussed if the newly established CombiQ had the technology that could prevent thefts. Soon the idea emerged of trying to use the technology of reverse sensors, but to use only echoes up to half a meter from the car. If a person is closer than that, he probably has no good intentions.
But how would it be possible to mount reverse sensors around lorries and trailers? That's when, during the bus trip on the Autobahn, the idea popped up, to use the electrically prepared space which exists on vehicles longer than 6 meters and which is, by law, placed every third meter - the side marking lights!

To avoid extra wiring, choice fell on wireless short range radio communication and the world spanning radio standard ZigBee, which helps radio nodes to communicate; the speciality of owner company CombiQ. This means the lamps can function as "relays", where not only radio signals concerning alarms can be transmitted but also many other functions, making it possible to communicate around the whole vehicle.
When the idea was formulated, and all possibilities thought of at the time were written down, a process of applying for a patent started. With this we received very good help from AWAPATENT. In due course, it became a very strong (PCT) Patent, i.e with the possibility to apply for patents in different parts of the world, which is now done in Volvo's main markets.

Since the first patent application was written, several more patents have been added. Among others, a revolutionary reverse support system which will help to compensate for many years of experience as a lorry driver and make this difficult manoeuvre simpler and faster.
AB Volvo was contacted early on and they have invested in DataChassi AB via their investment company VTT, Volvo Technology Transfer, which owns about one third of DataChassi AB.

After some time it was discovered that the patent would be able to provide a solution to prevent blind spot accidents, which annually cause 400 deaths in Europe alone. This, together with other advantages, made a technical choice for the benefit of radar instead of ultrasonic, and a contract was signed for it's development with the world's largest manufacturer of commercial radar, InnoSenT GmbH.

The applications where DataChassi can be used are:

• Security - i.e security against break-in, diesel theft and more.
  
• Safety - i.e safety during drive, blind spot, lane control and the ability to estimate if a lorry with trailer has overtaken for example a car or another lorry are the basic ideas. These functions are possible but are not a priority right now. However, when reversing, the lamps shine down, a safety feature that is appreciated by many drivers.
  
• Efficient logistics administration - a possibility that will partly be implemented via DC Safelog, i.e. a mini fleet management system. Since the side marking lights can send information and reach every part of the vehicle using wireless technology, the possibilities are unlimited. RFID reading is a big opportunity for registration and control that goods arrive correctly. However, this is not yet a priority in our development program.

The patent mainly covers heavy vehicles, but is also valid for buses, trains and boats. Who knows what applications the future can hold...