AL-KO Vehicle Technology makes motorhomes smart
Virtually everything in the motorhome that is electrically or digitally addressable can be made available and controlled by the ONDA gateway from AL-KO VT via an app. Only for driving do your hands still need to stay on the wheel.
IoT in the motorhome
More than just recipes from the fridge
If the toaster tells the fridge to add another pack of toast to the shopping list, you are almost living in a smart home. For motorhome owners, a smart home means focusing on much more fundamental things: checking the level of the gas bottle, water tank or batteries from the lounge area, or switching on the lighting, parking heater or air conditioning before returning to the vehicle.
Andreas Kling, Head of Electronics Development R&D at AL-KO VT in Kötz, closely collaborating with the subsidiary AL-KO VTE: “Digitalisation opens up a huge range of possibilities. Our goal is to connect as many components as possible—from the numerous supplier parts and sensors to the base vehicle’s onboard data—so that all information is available in one single app.”
Brain and nervous system
AL-KO VTE does both
AL-KO Vehicle Technology Electronics, abbreviated as AL-KO VTE and created from the merger of CBE and Nordelettronica and headquartered in Trento, Italy, brings the essential know-how to the table. “AL-KO VTE not only offers everything related to motorhome electrics, but also the wiring harnesses that channel all information centrally. This also includes the control and touch panels with the software that enables electrical control and data reading within the vehicle,” says Kling. This means the company provides the brain and nervous system for the Internet of Things in the motorhome. Through a suitable interface, this internal network can even be connected to the data bus system of the base vehicle.
Alessandro Chies, Head of Sales at AL-KO VTE, adds: “The networking allows management of charging just as much as controlling the levelling support system, the electric awning, the lighting or reading the waste water fill level. With the new interface, the vehicle can now also be connected to the internet cloud.”
Remote control via app
Connection to the external digital world
Control is possible wirelessly via Bluetooth, WiFi or voice input. With a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and the AL-KO VT app, all functions inside and on the vehicle are available—whether from the driver's seat, the lounge seating, or even from the bathroom if needed. Alexa can also accompany travellers in the motorhome as a helpful assistant. Wi-Fi is used for remote control. This does not affect the control functionality or availability of onboard data.
Kling: “When it comes to sensitive vehicle data in the internet cloud, we naturally comply with strict European data protection regulations.” Customers decide which data packets are actually uploaded to the Internet and who can access them. With the connection established, interesting analyses of consumption and use of individual components can be carried out at home. And if, in holiday mode, you happen to forget where you have parked your vehicle, the app’s geolocation feature will navigate you directly back to it. This function is also useful should the vehicle ever be stolen.
Cybersecurity as a top priority
In-house software development
The software for the new ONDA gateway, including the smartphone app, required the development engineers to demonstrate a great deal of finesse. Kling: “This is not an off-the-shelf product and requires a lot of background knowledge. In-depth product know-how and security aspects are strong reasons for us to manage these topics in-house.” Fittingly, AL-KO VT also employs its own cybersecurity manager who keeps a close eye on developments in data security at various levels of the company.
Another reason for in-house programming is the future AL-KO VT expects from the topic of data. “Our partners are just as industrious and creative in terms of digitalisation as we are. With our own team, we can react extremely flexibly and deliver test-ready versions of new functionalities within just a few weeks,” says Andrea Lombardi, Head of Sales at AL-KO VTE. “We maintain close communication with our partners and are decisively advancing the topic of digitalisation, even opening up completely new business fields with our expertise.” Both Lombardi and Kling make it clear that AL-KO VT will consistently continue on its path towards further digitalisation and integration with IoT. The current gateway-app combination is just another step.