Why Haven't Car Companies Implemented Comprehensive Data Historians Yet?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential implementation of comprehensive data historians in cars, focusing on the ability to record and access data such as speed and turn signal usage for legal purposes. Participants explore the current state of technology and existing solutions, as well as the limitations and challenges associated with accessing vehicle data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that cars should have the capability to historize data for legal evidence, questioning why this has not been widely implemented by manufacturers.
  • Others challenge the assumption that such data historians do not exist, asking for evidence or examples of current technologies that track vehicle data.
  • One participant mentions a dongle-like device used by an insurance company that tracks car speed, suggesting that similar technologies may fulfill the OP's needs.
  • There are discussions about accessing vehicle data through the data port and the limitations of accessing the actual black box data.
  • A participant suggests that dash cameras could serve as a solution, as they can record speed and other relevant data, although they express a desire for more comprehensive evidence.
  • Some participants mention the existence of apps and devices that can monitor vehicle data in real time, but express uncertainty about whether a standalone device exists that meets all the OP's requirements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether comprehensive data historians are currently implemented in vehicles. There are competing views on the availability and accessibility of such technologies, with some asserting they exist and others questioning their prevalence and functionality.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations regarding the accessibility of vehicle data, the dependence on specific technologies, and the varying definitions of what constitutes a comprehensive data historian.

gfd43tg
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I think it would be great if cars software could historize data such as speed, using turn signals, etc which can be used in court to prove/disprove if someone was in fact speeding or didn’t use their turn signal. Why haven’t companies moved this way yet?
 
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Apart from turn signals, what makes you think they haven't?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Apart from turn signals, what makes you think they haven't?
I’ve never heard of it. How can I access the data?
 
My mother in law has a dongle-like-thing in her car from an insurance company that tracks things like car speed.
If you don't speed, you get better insurance rates.
 
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BillTre said:
My mother in law has a dongle-like-thing in her car from an insurance company that tracks things like car speed.
If you don't speed, you get better insurance rates.
You beat me to it. Here is a link with more info: https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/how-do-those-car-insurance-tracking-devices-work
 
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@BillTre and @berkeman, note that the data port is a way to access the data in real time via a stand alone device or bluetooth adapter, but I don't think you can access the car's actual black box that way.

...which isn't to say that wouldn't still meet the OP's needs.
 
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russ_watters said:
If you forgive the tone, this is informative:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech.../26/keep-your-car-black-box-private/20609035/

Edit: a dash camera might meet your requirements. They can record speed and hear your turn signals.
The dash cam is in the works, but I want as much evidence at my disposal as possible. That would include retrieving data from the vehicle blackbox with a time stamp.
 
Maylis said:
The dash cam is in the works, but I want as much evidence at my disposal as possible
Research apps that can monitor the data in real time and record it. I'm not sure if a stand alone device exactly matching what you want exists though.

...edit: I've seen ones for parents to monitor kids though.
 
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russ_watters said:
Research apps that can monitor the data in real time and record it. I'm not sure if a stand alone device exactly matching what you want exists though.

...edit: I've seen ones for parents to monitor kids though.

It sounds like what I want is the OBD-2 device, but only I have access to the data
 

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