Connecting transit providers to the future with Formula 1-derived antenna technology

Many experienced companies already operate in the mass transit connectivity industry, what does McLaren Applied bring to the field?

With more than 30 years at the cutting edge of motorsport, including NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar, McLaren Applied brings a unique perspective to vehicle connectivity.

As a result of the uniquely demanding environment in which our customers compete, we haven’t simply been required to develop a vehicle connectivity solution. Rather, using the enviable R&D budgets of top tier motorsport, we have created the highest bandwidth, most reliable, most energy efficient and lowest maintenance solution possible.

Until recently, this technology would arguably have been overkill for public transit or commercial applications, but that’s rapidly changing. Passengers and customers already have far higher connectivity expectations and, standing as we are on the cusp of a connectivity revolution, with the Internet of Things, autonomous cars and software-defined vehicles all on the horizon, there is now a clear need for McLaren Applied’s advanced technology.

What sets McLaren Applied’s hardware apart from existing antenna solutions?

Our 5G intelligent edge antenna hardware is not only smaller, lighter and more durable than many existing solutions, but offers built-in functionality that the vast majority cannot.

The Halo 300 doesn’t just provide significantly better performance than a traditional 5G solution, but the built-in edge computing capability, eSIM technology, dual modems and WiFi allow it to simultaneously connect to any data network providers at a given time. This allows our Fleet Connect software to provide true multi-network, multi-signal aggregation by using multiple cellular data networks, all base stations and optional WiFi networks within range to provide zero or near zero disruption in service. In this way McLaren Applied has, to all intents and purposes, solved the hand-over disconnect problem.

A CANBUS interface and the ability to support additional applications offer futureproof expandability, while the single wiring harness ensures unrivalled ease of installation, greatly reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance.

How does software play a role in giving the Halo 300 an edge over the competition?

The remarkable performance and reliability of our 5G intelligent edge antenna hardware provides the foundation on which our state-of-the-art Fleet Connect software can perform.

Fleet Connect uses the patented process of aggregation to rapidly switch between the strongest network signal providers at any given moment, splitting transmitted data across these networks in real time and reassembling it in the cloud en route to its destination. By operating in this way, Fleet Connect delivers far better performance than conventional alternatives, reducing blackspots and providing a consistent high-bandwidth connectivity stream.

What are the benefits of this combination to operators and passengers?

Any moving vehicle application, and mass transit operators in particular, could find remarkable time and cost savings in the provision of a reliable uplink for real-time remote monitoring, vehicle diagnostics, fleet optimization, tracking and management.

A dependable high-bandwidth Wi-Fi connection, meanwhile, enables passengers to enjoy more comfortable, productive journeys. Recent studies have shown that this sort of connectivity plays an increasing role in trip satisfaction, not only attracting new passengers but retaining current ones too. With both regular commuters and the occasional traveler expecting to be able to work, stream and communicate whether travelling by bus, car, train or plane, it’s a trend we only expect to continue.

You mentioned being on the cusp of a connectivity revolution, what kind of opportunities will this technology enable going forward?

The key thing to understand about the coming connectivity revolution is that none of us currently knows the full extent of the opportunities it provides. What we do know, however, is that they will be data driven. McLaren Applied has therefore not only sought to solve today’s problem, connectivity, to allow for future expansion to address both anticipated and as-yet-unknown problems, as well.

For example, some Halo 300 versions feature built in micro location technology, enabling vehicle tracking down to the centimeter. This not only offers incredible fleet monitoring benefits today, but will be vital for the accuracy of autonomous applications in future, allowing vehicles to safely manoeuvre in any environment. This is just one example of the opportunities that 5G intelligent edge antenna technology opens and of the necessity for fleet managers to consider how to futureproof their vehicles.

----------------

Jimmy Morgan IV serves as business development, Connected Intelligence - Americas, for McLaren Applied Inc.