New ABRP Feature : Live Data via OBD

[DevSecOps]

I just received an email from the ABRP dev team and it said:

"Due to some problems the Android version will be a bit delayed"

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[SashaLondon]

I just purchased the OBDLink CX and will try it out. Also ended up accidentally getting the pro model. I just love the tech too much to stop myself.

 

[phidauex]

It is working well for me on an iPhone 12 mini, Viecar 4 Bluetooth adapter, which is the same one I use with CarScanner.

As for security, at least this one shuts down after a short delay when the car is off so you can’t walk up and read data at any time, but it would be nice if they implemented more security. BLE is the “right” way to handle a sensor beacon that will connect to multiple devices, but I thought there were methods like key sharing on initial connection that could be used to prevent unauthorized data sharing, might have to read more about what the protocol supports.

EDIT: Good article here on BLE security methods. Honestly not sure which these common adapters are using. https://forum.digikey.com/t/a-basic-introduction-to-ble-4-x-security/12501

 

[benk016]

It is working well for me on an iPhone 12 mini, Viecar 4 Bluetooth adapter, which is the same one I use with CarScanner.

As for security, at least this one shuts down after a short delay when the car is off so you can’t walk up and read data at any time, but it would be nice if they implemented more security. BLE is the “right” way to handle a sensor beacon that will connect to multiple devices, but I thought there were methods like key sharing on initial connection that could be used to prevent unauthorized data sharing, might have to read more about what the protocol supports.

I think its not that BLE doesn't support the security, its that all the currently available dongles don't implement any kind of security. The OBDLinx CX had some security, but its not available in North America right now.

 

[Blue highway]

Nice!

 

[RickMachE]

I think its not that BLE doesn't support the security, its that all the currently available dongles don't implement any kind of security. The OBDLinx CX had some security, but its not available in North America right now.

My MX requires me to push a physical button to pair it. So isn't that secure?

 

[benk016]

My MX requires me to push a physical button to pair it. So isn't that secure?

The MX is not BLE.

 

[RickMachE]

The MX is not BLE.

Understand. Was just trying to understand the security issues.

 

[benk016]

I did find this on Amazon today. It has BLE on the dongle itself. But no mention of BLE in the description. But, it does have a pairing button which could make it more secure.

https://www.amazon.com/vgate-vLinke...qid=1640279092&sprefix=obdlink,aps,95&sr=8-39

 

[JonathanEzor]

I personally have tried two different OBD Dongles and they work.

VGate iCar Pro:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGB4873?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

VeePeak OBDCheck BLE:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XKQQQW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


Recommended OBD adapter is the OBDLink CX. It does have some actual security to keep others from pairing to it when idle. However, This has been sold out everywhere for weeks with no sign of coming back in stock soon.

I have the OBDLink MX for my C-MAX because it supports Ford's special MS-CAN protocols (which I access via Torque Pro and Forscan Lite for Android). Anyone know if the Mach-E uses MS-CAN as well and, if so, whether the CX supports MS-CAN? Are there other protocols the adapter needs to support for the Mach-E?

Thanks. {Jonathan}

 

[BDC]

I did find this on Amazon today. It has BLE on the dongle itself. But no mention of BLE in the description. But, it does have a pairing button which could make it more secure.

https://www.amazon.com/vgate-vLinker-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Android/dp/B088LW211V/ref=sr_1_39?crid=M5WFAYQAL75E&keywords=obdlink&qid=1640279092&sprefix=obdlink,aps,95&sr=8-39

At $50 I decided to just go ahead and order that one, but won't arrive until January so I won't be able to report back for a while. Also, awesome feature, thanks for helping get it to us!

 

[DevSecOps]

Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE is a totally different protocol than the Bluetooth you are thinking of. The concern isn’t actually about the energy, it is that BLE doesn’t require pairing since it was made for sensors that broadcast data. This makes it easier to integrate with more devices and apps.

This is factually incorrect. BLE is no different in it's communication frequency (2.4 GHz) or pairing capabilities as that from classic Bluetooth. The only difference between the two is the ability for BLE to sleep between data transmission and it's lower bandwidth throughput. Bluetooth classic and BLE compatibility is identical. It's purely a swap of power for data. Streaming data to headphones = BT Classic. IOT light bulbs = BLE. One sacrifices power for data transmission the other sacrifices data transmission for power, both require pairing.

 

[GuliblGuy]

New version just showed up for me to download in the Android play store!

 

[Mach-Lee]

I just wanted to take a moment to share some news of a new ABRP feature that is being launched right now. ABRP now has the ability to use a Bluetooth Low Energy OBD2 dongle to read live data from your car directly to improve route planning. I have been working with the team to get this working with the Mach E on launch and they have pushed the production apps today!

The app will collect the following data from the Mach E:

• State Of Charge (Matching the displayed SoC)
• Current
• Voltage
• External Temperature
• Battery Pack Temperature
• If the car is charging or not charging
• State of Health of the HVB

The ABRP app can – for supported vehicle models – connect via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to a user-installed OBD BLE adapter in the car. This allows the ABRP app to communicate instantly with your car to read out SoC (battery %), and many other parameters which keeps the ABRP app up to date with your car as you drive. This works for both iOS and Android devices and is available for all ABRP users, not only Premium members.

Ben, do you know if they will be using this crowdsourced data to improve the accuracy of their Mach-E consumption models? My big gripe with ABRP is that the consumption model is way off (~20%) showing range that is much less than reality. I don't think they've accounted for drag coefficient and frontal area accurately in their Mach-E model. Not sure if this can be fixed or improved so ABRP is more useful?

 

[hybrid2bev]

Ben, do you know if they will be using this crowdsourced data to improve the accuracy of their Mach-E consumption models? My big gripe with ABRP is that the consumption model is way off (~20%) showing range that is much less than reality. I don't think they've accounted for drag coefficient and frontal area accurately in their Mach-E model. Not sure if this can be fixed or improved so ABRP is more useful?

You can tweak the settings manually in ABRP. I’ve got the settings so that I’m within about 5% accuracy.

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