Freematics' ONE+ Aims to Set Your ODB-II Port Free with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular Data Logging
Provided with an open source firmware dubbed "Telelogger," this handy gadget packs a GNSS receiver and IMU too.
Australian automotive data-logging specialist Freematics has launched a new Arduino-compatible dongle for vehicles' ODB-II ports, based on an Espressif ESP32 microcontroller: the Freematics ONE+.
"Freematics ONE+ is based on ESP32 and can be programmed as an Arduino platform. We provide Arduino library and reference code for the hardware on which developers can evolve their own products with least efforts," Freematics explains of its latest launch. "If you are a pro, we highly recommend to use PlatformIO IDE or ESP-IDF as the development environment. For beginners, we provide a dedicated tool for configuring, compiling and uploading the code for a quick start."
The compact Freematics ONE+ box uses a 16-pin ODB-II connector, enabling it to plug directly into the ODB-II socket available in most modern motor vehicles — connecting its internal microcontroller to the car's internal electronics. Elsewhere on the board is a four-pin general-purpose input/output (GPIO) socket, designed to accept a latching Molex connector, which exposes a ground pin, a 5V pin, and two of the Espressif ESP32's IO pins, and that allows for connectivity to external hardware including an optional external global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver — designed for use where the integrated u-blox UBX-M8030 fails to receive a signal lock.
A key feature of the ONE+ is its connectivity: while the base model is designed to log locally to microSD card and remotely via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, an optional cellular modem add-on provides truly remote connectivity — using a micro-SIM Card slot on the body of the module itself. Finally, a micro-USB port powers the device outside an ODB-II slot and allows for uploading new firmware.
The core firmware, meanwhile, is Telelogger — which, as the name implies, is designed for telematics logging using either Wi-Fi or the optional cellular modem. Data captured by the firmware — which includes ODB-II readings as well as data from an internal TDK InvenSense ICM-4262 inertial measurement unit (IMU) — is uploaded to the Freematics Hub or Traccar, the company explains, while the firmware's source code is available on GitHub under the permissive BSD license.
The Freematics ONE+ is available on the company's Tindie store now, priced at $109.90 including cellular modem; more information is available on the company website.