Software Update

[wizard of ahs]

Art,

Is there any "gain" to having the new software update if we are entirely happy with our units now???

Thanks,
Mike

[admin]

First, I want to be clear that the software update isn't ready yet. We decided to roll more changes into it since upgrading is rather tedious for customers (send it back, reprogram, send again) plus a LOT of testing should be done before upgrading (although Beta will be available and expected to be fairly rock solid)

But to answer your question, "no".  If you're perfectly happy with your unit as-is and the new features don't appeal to you then why bother?

Just an update on progress:  we're working very hard on this update. One thing we're trying to achieve is a better cruise algorithm for hills because I've never been 100% satisfied with its performance immediately after cresting a steep incline. Not one person has complained about this but I know it is there.  If I don't get it soon we will probably abandon that and release without it because, as I said, nobody seems to mind or notice.

Besides that, these are some of the changes:

 - Pedal mapping
 - Certain values programmable (rate of acceleration/resume for example) via a ScanGauge
 - World and US versions on the same board (selectable using an onboard switch)
 - An option (selectable by switch or ScanGauge) to retain the last set speed in memory after you've shut the car off
 - A near-complete rewrite of the basic code to make it more efficient so it fits with the pedal mapping code (which is quite large).

The last point is really what's taking the time.  The best way to implement the pedal mapping takes up a lot of room.  I'm refusing to do a simple linear only map like the other guys because... well... this is so much cooler!

[sheureka]

So I no longer have a ScanGauge - I realized after having it a few months that I never, ever looked at it and decided I could use that space for something else so I sold it. Is there any reason to get the reprogramming if I don't have a ScanGauge? Is it worth buying another one? Is it going to be something that constantly needs the ScanGauge, or is it just for initial setup? I know nothing is ready yet, but I guess I'm a little confused. TIA - sheureka

[admin]

Hi Sheureka,

I'd say for probably the majority of customers there's really no reason to get it upgraded.  I'm just obsessed with improving our product but Craig and the rest of the design team set the bar pretty high out of the gate!

I'll try to explain the Scangauge (SG) connection:

The cruise control operates on a network that exists within the car called the CANBUS. Most modern cars work like this now.  If you can "hook in" to the CANBUS network then you can send and receive "commands" to "talk" with the various components in the car.  Now, for the most part this is entirely useless information.  But we figured that it was a way to "program" (within limits) the cruise control without having to physically change anything.  Anyway, the SG comes in because it is the simplest and cheapest method that people can hook into the CANBUS.  it is very limited in is ability, but it can send arbitrary CANBUS commands.  So we're programming the cruise control to be able to accepts some of those commands, thereby allowing you to make adjustments to the way it works.  If you have no reason to change any of the options or values described above, then there's no benefit to you.

Unless you're really keen at playing with your toys, then no I wouldn't bother buying a SG just for this purpose. 


There are a few upgrades that are available even without the SG though.  They are:

 - pedal mapping.  A couple of additional pedal maps will be available via switches that are onboard.
 - store last speed in memory.  This too can be turned on/off with a switch.  This is for commuters that find they're always setting the same speed. So whatever speed was last set will retain in memory even after shutting the car off.  In other words, you can "resume" right away.
 - portable to Europe.  This shouldn't be of any consequence to hardly anyone, but right now your cruise won't work on a car in Europe (or anywhere outside of the US and Canada).  The new software enables a switch that you flip if you want to move to Europe and buy another smart car or just sell your unit to someone in Australia or whatever.
 - Improved cruise algorithm (I hope - I'm finding it difficult to improve on perfection!).  If you're happy with it the way it is, then don't bother.

Once we're done I'll post more details on the changes and describe the improvements, if any.

[Smart Enuf]

Are you going to make the user-controlled switches be accessible on the exterior of the control unit so that those of us without a Scangauge can switch the programming without having to open up the unit?  I assume that would add cost and some complexity to the unit, but it would also be a good compromise between having to get a Scangauge and having to open up the unit every time the driver wants to try a different setting.  Just a thought; keep up the innovations!

[admin]

The answer to that would be "no".  There is a bank of switches on board.  It is currently unused.  We put it there in case there was some options we added later that would be user-switchable.  To access them, you have to take off the lid and set them - there's no two ways about that.  That's why the SG idea came up.  It gives the advantage of not having to access and open the box up and also frees us from the limit of 6 switches.

The options that are going to be available via the switches are things you aren't going to want to tinker with anyway.  They're either on or they're off.  The only exception would be the pedal mapping but even then just leave the cruise hanging out, set the switch and go for a spin.  Then change the option and try again.  Settle on the one you want, pack it all back in and you're done.  Accessing the cruise (if installed in the recommended location) is a 2-second job since its behind that little access doori in the back.  Then its just 4 Phillips head screws to take the lid off and you're at the switches.  The first time, you'll have to peel a little protective film off the switch bank (they come that way for protection during the soldering process but otherwise it doesn't need to be there).  The switches are tiny so you may need a toothpick or something to flip them.

It may sound tedious, but believe me... its not something you'll be doing on a regular basis at all.  And in reality its probably faster than doing it via the SG.  The SG just opens up some other possibilities so there will be options and variables you can set via the SG that you simply can't by the switches.

[Smart Enuf]

Doesn't sound too bad now that you put it that way.

[Brabus007]

Sounds like a clean, and neat user friendly upgrade, because of your thoughtful planing ahead, by adding that switch block to the board... I'm looking forward to trying out your Teams handy work...<:-))

[wizard of ahs]

Thanks for the update Art 

When ready, I'll be ready to upgrade 

[admin]

I just want to give a bit of an update and address what's taking so long.

I'd like to assure everyone that I have been putting in many long days with the upgrade.

The upgrade was prompted by requests to add the pedal mapping feature.  That, as it turned out, was rather easy.  The problem has been that the new features take up a lot of the on-board memory.  The solution was to rework the original code to make it more efficient.  This has been more of a chore than I anticipated.  But we're getting there.  The previous code took up about 68% of the space and the pedal mapping addition took up pretty well the remainder.  The new code (without pedal mapping) is down to about 40%.  Aside from space savings, there was room for improvement with the cruise control algorithm and I think some improvements have been made.  Further testing is required to see if there are any adverse trade-offs but it looks good so far.  Less overshoot (and smoother recovery) after cresting a hill is one such benefit.  Another is the automatic transmission on steep hills seems to like this new routine better, although that could be my imagination but it seems to trigger shifting at more natural times. 

I don't really have an ETA.  But I am working on it.

Art

[wizard of ahs]

Thanks Art !

As always, your efforts are appreciated

Mike

[admin]

OK, the bulk of the code is finished.  There's still tedious but important tasks like cleanup and documentation to do.  There are loads of improvements but many of them are really behind the scenes kind of things that nobody's likely to notice.  Some highlights:
   

• 16... count 'em 16 pedal maps to choose from!  Whether you have a ScanGauge or not you'll have access to all 16 maps.
• Option to retain the last (valid) set speed in memory so you can resume to that speed after the car's been shut off.  Useless to most, invaluable for some! (can be set with or without ScanGauge)
• Improved feel to the cruise across a broad range of speeds. Hard to improve on perfect, but I think we nailed it.
• Improved performance on hills at higher speeds (the car still has limitations of course!)
• Virtually eliminated overshoot after cresting steep hills.
• Improved "interaction" with the transmission (in quotes because its not technically an appropriate term)
• Tweakable cruise algorithm for those that want to and have a ScanGauge.  18 different values for you to mess up the improvements listed above!    No, seriously its a good thing for some.  And super neat-o.
• Fabulously organized code so the next time we make improvements it won't take this long!

The wait isn't over though.  I still don't want to promise an ETA.  I did a lot of new coding this week and I might find some bugs.  But if you twisted my arm I'd estimate about a week before I can send a few units out to beta testers.
 
Art

[mvaldes]

Congratulations, that sounds awesome!

[intocoasters]

I have been lurking around this thread for a while.  Looking forward to this update!  Question: if we were to play around with the 18 variables, is there a 'reset' or 'default'  setting to restore the settings?  I think it would be fun to play around with the options to see what they affect.

Really looking forward to playing with the pedal mapping

[admin]

Yes, there are two ways to get back to a factory reset.  The simplest way will be a command sent by from the ScanGauge.  But in case that doesn't work (say you change a bunch of settings and then break your SG) you can open up the box and put the onboard switches into a specific combination then power up the system to force a restore.  Either way it puts ALL settings back to factory, not just the 18 variables.  I can change that though.  I can add another SG command such that it restores only those 18 and leaves the others alone (pedal map, retain speed in memory, etc).

Art