Transportation and SMART City Solutions
As governments strive to enhance their national transportation systems, the role of technology in providing reliable and flexible services is increasingly critical.
BVM’s Transport (in-vehicle, marine and rail) and SMART City Solutions can help address, what can often be, complex requirements via Rugged Motherboards and Industrial System PC’s. Our products can meet the demands of harsh working temperatures (-40°C to +85°C) and are equipped with a wide power input range to ensure operation remains ‘up’ and continued in those environments.
Where a more tailored Transportation Solution is required, BVM can help you with hardware selection and configuration, and BIOS or O/S customisation. With more than 30 years of experience of being a provider of embedded solutions & associated services, BVM can support you in providing and assisting with intelligent transportation applications.
Industrial and Embedded Motherboards
These features highlight the suitability of industrial motherboards and embedded SBCs for critical and long-term applications across various demanding conditions
- High Performance and Energy Efficient Processors
- Extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C or higher)
- Rugged design for shock and vibration resistance
- Wide input voltage range (9V to 36V or higher)
- Fanless cooling with passive thermal management
- Long lifecycle and extended availability (5 – 7 years minimum)
- Diverse I/O options (USB, Ethernet, RS232/RS485, CAN bus, GPIO)
- High reliability with low Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
- Advanced security features (TPM, secure boot, hardware encryption)
- Compliance with automotive standards for safety and reliability
Motherboards and SBCs
Industrial Grade Motherboards and Embedded System PCs provide the backbone for Transportation Solutions, they are revision controlled and are available for a longer time scale compared to commercial motherboard’s and typically operate over a wider temperature range than their commercial equivalents.
Mini-ITX Motherboards and SBCs
Long Life Industrial and Embedded Mini-ITX Motherboards. A Mini-ITX Motherboard is a solution that offers performance with low power and long-life availability. Mini-ITX is a specification for a motherboard measuring 170 x 170 mm with a conventional I/O shield as used on larger scale motherboards.
Computer-on-Modules (COMs)
These features make Computer-On-Modules highly suitable for deployment in demanding conditions where traditional computing hardware might fail
- Energy-efficient and high-performance processors
- Extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C or more)
- Durable, compact form factor for space efficiency and robustness
- Wide input voltage range compatibility for diverse power sources
- Protective conformal coating against dust, moisture, and chemicals
- Reliable thermal management, often utilizing fanless designs
- Long-term product availability and lifecycle support
- Flexible I/O interfaces (PCIe, USB, Ethernet, display outputs)
- High reliability with low Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
- Compliance with automotive standards for safety and reliability
System-On-Module products are the ideal solution for many space-constrained applications where the
build-up of heat within the operating environment can become an issue.
System-On-Modules
COM/SOM modules are ideal for applications where product time to market and longevity of solution are critical to your business. Today’s COM modules mainly come in two main formats; COM Express (COMe) in Mini, Compact, Basic and Qseven.
Plugged into carrier boards (baseboard), they can be upgraded to newer, backwards-compatible versions as processor technology capability progresses. COM/SOM modules are typically used in Industrial, military, aerospace, gaming, medical and transportation.
• Why use a Computer-on-module? What are the Benefits?
• COM Express vs Qseven vs SMARC: A Comparison of Modular Embedded Computing Standards
Industrial Computing
Industrial Computers and Embedded Systems are vital for dependable, efficient, and secure functioning in Transportation and SMART City applications
- Rugged, shock-resistant design for vibration and impact protection
- Wide operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C)
- Wide input voltage to accommodate automotive power systems
- Fanless cooling systems to withstand dusty and harsh environments
- Touchscreen interfaces with gloves-on or multi-touch capability
- Sunlight-readable displays with anti-glare technology for optimal visibility
- Built-in GPS, 4G/5G and Wi-Fi for navigation and communication
- Durable and compact form factor for space-efficient installation
- Integrated CAN bus and other automotive-specific interfaces for vehicle system integration
- Compliance with automotive standards (e.g., E-Mark, ISO 7637) for safety and reliability
BVM can tailor your System PC of choice to your exact specification including processor, memory, storage and operating system.
In-Vehicle PCs
In-vehicle and Intelligent Transportation Solutions available with Intel i3 / i5 / i7 / Celeron CPU’s. Tested under extreme temperature conditions and designed to withstand the shock and vibration that comes with driving a vehicle. All our In-Vehicle and Intelligent Transportation solutions meet the demands of harsh working environments.
• In-Vehicle Fleet Management: IVS-110-AL
• License Plate Recognition: ES220-CS (5G)
• Roadway Transportation: VC300-CS (MXM, 5G), VC230-AL (5G)
• Railway Transportation: RC300-CS (MXM, 5G)
Rail PCs
Railway Certified Embedded PC Systems available with Intel i3 / i5 / i7 / Celeron CPU’s. EN45545, EN50155 and EN50121-4 Certification. Suitable for demanding IIoT applications in the railway sector, including tasks like monitoring and controlling speed, temperature and security, or for fleet management.
• Rail Solutions
• Case Study: Rail Communications – Custom Modem
• Case Study: Rail – Level Crossing Safety Systems
Marine PCs
IEC60945 Marine Certified PCs are reliable, rugged and highly rated for their waterproof, durable and fanless designs, ideal for use within harsh environments. Aimed at maritime professionals and found in the dock, on the deck, the bridge and control rooms, Marine Embedded PC Systems are protected from water, dust and any stray electrical signals making them perfect for use on ships.
• Marine Solutions
• Case Study: Transportable Control Centre
• Winmate ECDIS Marine Panel PCs
AI-based Transportation Solutions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the transportation industry. Through autonomous vehicles, supply chain optimization, and improved air travel systems, AI enhances route efficiency, lowers costs, speeds up deliveries, and boosts safety, predicting a revolution in transportation logistics and services.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Transportation and the SMART City
Here are a few examples of how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in transportation and the smart city:
- Autonomous Vehicles: AI facilitates unmanned operation in vehicles like cars and drones, enhancing navigation and route decision-making.
- Traffic Management: AI analyses sensor data to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion through smart adjustments like traffic light timing.
- Public Transportation: AI optimizes public transit routes and schedules, and provides real-time passenger updates on delays and rerouting.
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management: AI streamlines supply chain operations, managing goods distribution and route planning efficiently.
- Energy Management: AI improves energy efficiency in infrastructure by managing systems like heating, cooling, and electricity distribution.
- Environmental Monitoring: AI monitors and analyses environmental conditions, aiding in public health and ecological trend analysis.
The hardware required to support artificial intelligence (AI) can vary depending on the specific application and the type of AI being used. Some AI algorithms are computationally intensive and require powerful hardware to run effectively.
Deep learning algorithms, which are used for tasks such as image and speech recognition, typically require specialised hardware such as graphics processing units (GPUs) to run efficiently. GPUs are designed to perform the complex matrix calculations that are required for deep learning – and they can be much faster than traditional central processing units (CPUs) at these types of tasks.
Other types of AI, such as rule-based systems, may not require as much computational power and can be run on standard CPUs.
Industrial Displays
- Advancements in Digital Signage: Enhanced technology for better use in transportation hubs such as airports and railway stations.
- TFT Displays: Essential for providing real-time travel updates and interactive advertising.
- Indoor and Outdoor Compatibility: These displays offer 24/7 reliability, resisting sunlight, dust, and moisture.
- Bar-Type Displays: Perfectly sized for buses and trains, they offer wide viewing angles, high brightness, and durability.
- Applications: Ideal for information systems and outdoor advertising in various transportation settings.
- Customisation Services: BVM tailors display solutions through an OEM partner network, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality options.
Displays and Touchscreen Monitors
We frequently marry IPC solutions to drive & control TFT displays in the provision of an overall solution; whether that’s the need to simply read & understand data output or providing a means of interaction (HMI) for the control and interrogation of parameters.
For user interaction, we can provide single point touch through to ‘pinch’, ‘zoom’ and multipoint gesturing. We can accommodate for ambient lighting conditions with the application of anti-glare or anti-reflective coatings, optical bonding and upgrading of backlighting.
BVM Design, Manufacturing and Distribution Services
- Rugged, Industrial and Embedded Computer Design, Manufacturing and Customisation Services
- Computer-on-Module Carrier Board Design and Manufacturing Service
- COM Express, SMARC, Qseven, Jetson, Pi
- Rugged, Industrial and Embedded Hardware Distribution
- From Small form factor Fanless Box PCs to Large 4U Rack AI Inference Systems
- 7″ – 32″ Rugged, Industrial Touchscreen Panel PCs
- Industrial Motherboards, Embedded SBCs and Computer-on-Modules
At BVM, we bring over 35 years of experience in designing, manufacturing and distributing rugged, industrial and embedded computer hardware. Our dedication to quality and innovation has made us a trusted partner for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators worldwide.
What we Offer OEMs, ODMs and System Integrators
With cutting-edge design and manufacturing facilities in Southampton, complemented by a vast global partner network, BVM offers a variety of ready-made “off the shelf” rugged, industrial and embedded computing solutions for a number of industries including industrial automation, harsh and hazardous environments, medical, military, transport, smart city and more. These solutions can be completely customised and integrated into larger systems to meet our customers’ exact requirements.
If you can’t find an “off the shelf” product that suits your needs, our in-house design team can create a new solution from scratch.
