Project Concept

 

Mobile phone localization to the neighborhood or street level is currently available, and is used to great effect by various web sites and applications to adapt and personalize the user experience.  Our vision is to enable the localization of a mobile phone within a car to provide this same level of personalization based upon where a mobile phone user is seated in a vehicle.  Through analysis of the Bluetooth signal emanating from the mobile phone, it is possible to localize the position of the phone within the vehicle.  Through this new technology, the automobile and cellular industry can revolutionize the car owner, and passengers’, user experience.

Revolutionizing the Car Personalization Experience


When a driver and his passengers sit in the vehicle, the car should adapt to their individual preferences and seating position. Today, mobile devices contain a wealth of information, including a persons's media, documents, and preferences. If we can determine which phone belongs which passenger, then the car can cater to each of them.


Car features, such as seating, lighting, temperature, and mirrors can change to fit each passenger's preferences. As for media, the driver may get the most recently searched addresses from their phone pop up on the screen, asking where the driver wants to go. From a passenger’s view, music or video options from their phone could come up. There are many opportunities for personalization when you connect the car with an individual. Even more opportunities occur when you can connect with and identify multiple individuals.

System Architecture

Vehicle Layout Example

Bluetooth Localization


The device we are using is the Ubertooth One. Commercial bluetooth monitoring equipment is very expensive. The Ubertooth provides similar capability at a much lower cost. With this device, we can sense Bluetooth signal strength from mobile devices. From there, we can calculate where the phones are in the vehicle.

Cellular Development


For the sake of simple development, we will be using Android based mobile devices. A series of mobile applications will enable the phone to interface with the in-car system.