Although some issues with a car can be easily identified through the vehicle’s onboard sensors, there are more complicated problems that are harder to detect. That’s where the V2M system comes in – it is designed to capture those tricky issues by utilizing onboard modules to listen for them.
The V2M system is currently being developed by a startup with the same name in Delaware. It consists of two electroacoustic sensing modules, located in the front and rear of the car, as well as a control unit in the middle.
By continuously monitoring and recording the vehicle’s operating noises, the system can detect any anomalies. The analog recordings are then converted into digital signals, which are sent to an online server for analysis by AI-based algorithms. If any problems are identified, the car’s owner and/or their mechanic is notified via an app and an internet-accessible dashboard.
The system can also send alerts to the car’s information system, the manufacturer, or fleet operators. As for the system’s acoustic capabilities, it can recognize wear on bearings, certain joints and boots, and distribution rollers at the end of their lifespan, as well as problems with belt tension. V2M is still working to teach AI to identify problematic suspension sounds.
The process is valid for all types of vehicles, whether powered by a combustion engine or electric motor. The prototype of this system was tested on a Tesla, but Ferrari could also be interested in the V2M system, despite the Italian automaker’s reputation for being loud.
In any case, the idea is that the required maintenance can then be performed as soon as possible before more extensive repairs are needed – V2M’s name is in fact an acronym for “vehicle-to-maintenance.”
V2M is intended for use in both internal combustion and electric vehicles – the current prototype version of the system has been installed in a Tesla sedan. It is hoped that a market-ready version will be available by June. The company is reportedly already in talks with Ferarri, which may ultimately include the system as standard equipment in its vehicles.