Category Archives: Mobility

Near Field Communication

Near field communication [NFC] is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into proximity, usually no more than a few inches.

Embitel Mobility has built an NFC-file transfer application to transfer any kind of files between NFC-enabled devices.

Uses of Near Field Communication

Mobile Test Automation

Embitel Mobility has evaluated a few mechanisms in Mobile Application Test Automation:

User agent-based automation: This approach leverages user agent add-ons that come with popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. The user agents help render the specific Web content that would be displayed on the device onto a regular desktop browser. The functionality can be automated by using popular tools such as Selenium, etc. — which supports all desktop browsers.

Lab-based automation [devices/simulators]: This method involves setting up tools in a test environment and leveraging simulators or physical devices to automate testing using popular open-source tools such as Selenium. Web driver–supported device browsers and simulators are best suited here.

Benefits of Automation Testing:

• Improved accuracy
• Smaller timeframes; thus lesser expenditure

Middleware Development

Embitel Mobility has successfully executed CAN bus to smart device communication via Bluetooth to receive various kinds of data from an automobile.

A Middleware component was developed and deployed on both the Freescale i.MX6 processor platform and a mobile device , to transfer commands over Bluetooth; thus facilitating the display of automobile data [speed, RPM, etc.] on both the device and Smartphone, and remote control of car features such as lights, AC, door unlock, etc.

Other expertise areas:

• Expertise in GStreamer Multimedia framework on Linux
• Audio effects like acoustic echo cancellation, Noise Suppression, Automatic gain controls on Android middleware platform
• Bluetooth Stack integration on Android platform
• Customization of Media Framework for Android
• Bluetooth Stack Porting
• Customizing/adding Android profiles
• Modification/optimization of modules, plug-ins, components of middleware

Geofencing

A geo-fence is a virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic area. A geo-fence could be dynamically generated – as in a radius around a store or point location. Or a geo-fence can be a predefined set of boundaries, like school attendance zones or neighborhood boundaries.

Embitel Mobility has successfully achieved the following in Geofencing:

• 3D object marker detection
• Change Profiles on enter and exit of geo-fencing zones

A Few Real World Uses of Geofencing:

• Warehouse operations and construction sites: to inform the arrival or departure of goods; or the moving of heavy machinery
• Fleet management: When a truck driver breaks from his route, the dispatcher receives an alert.
• Human resource management: An employee smart card will send an alert to security if an employee attempts to enter an unauthorized area.
• Compliance management: Network logs record geo-fence crossings to document the proper use of devices and their compliance with established rules.
• Marketing: A restaurant can trigger a text message with the day’s specials to an opt-in customer when the customer enters a defined geographical area.
• Asset management: An RFID tag on a pallet can send an alert if the pallet is removed from the warehouse without authorization.
• Law enforcement: An ankle bracelet can alert authorities if an individual under house arrest leaves the premises.

Cross Platform App Development

Xamarin

• Allows to write native apps for iOS, Android, Windows using C#
• Share on average 75% source code across platforms.
• Re-use existing C# skills, teams, code and tools.
• Xamarin exposes 100% of the native APIs for iOS, Android and Windows.

Cross Platform App Development

Embitel Mobility has successfully developed the following cross-platform applications using Xamarin:

• Power Analyzer app
• IVI Head Unit and Smartphone Integration
• Cross-device messaging app
• Product type-based online retail store
• Vehicle Diagnostics app
• Home appliances Power Usage app
• Media player
• Fleet Management app
• Photo and Image management app
• Device location and alerts app
• Multiplayer game

Augmented Reality

Embitel Mobility has successfully developed the following Augmented Reality apps:

• 3D object manipulation using live camera feed – Can be used to place 3D objects and manipulate them within the camera feed. For example: Can be used in for an online retail store to demo furniture pieces
• 2D image recognition: Metadata [information, video, etc.] display on image recognition.
• OpenCV: Face Detection
• 3D Object Marker detection for Geofencing
• Metaio SDK, Vuforia SDK, Unity 3D Engine have been tested and evaluated

Applications of Augmented Reality:

• Next-level navigation systems with integrating virtual and live camera feed
• In Healthcare Education for mock surgeries
• In Automotive environments, to assist mechanics detect an issue
• In Advertising, to embed additional information [audio, video, etc.] within a print advertisement
• In Retail, to enable “mock-trials” of accessories, clothes, furniture, decorations, etc.