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Source: Klas announcement
DUBLIN – Klas, an Ireland-based hardware and software company focused on edge computing, yesterday announced an all-new piece of hardware purpose-built for autonomous vehicle (AV) research & development: the TRX D8.
The goal for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is that human error is reduced or eliminated, and efficiency in commuting and transportation can be safely and confidently executed. With this in mind, consumer confidence in self-driving cars is directly tied to the performance of the algorithms that make those cars run which is why it is so important to test these algorithms in a variety of conditions, as Klas CEO John Gallagher notes:
“We know how to build rugged devices that can be deployed anywhere, and we also understand the need to combine storage with compute to streamline a development process,” he said. “That’s why we built the TRX D8 with industry-leading storage capabilities integrated with in-vehicle compute power so developers can structure and categorize the data as they collect it and run certain tests locally, which accelerates algorithm development while reducing costs.”
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This expansion into automotive is an obvious next step for Klas, whose deep experience in developing edge computing solutions for government and rail applications was key to its success in building the TRX D8, which is already in-market with a leading automotive manufacturer and boasts a rugged and compact design proven to perform in extreme environments.
The new TRX D8 collects data from onboard Ethernet and Controller Area Network (CAN) and can store up to 240 TB of storage in an easy-to-remove cassette.
A major component of the TRX D8 is Klas’ field-proven operating system, KlasOS Keel.
Keel is purpose-built for edge locations where security and reliability are critical, and has a built-in hypervisor that provides flexibility to OEMs so they can run their own software and have complete control of their data.
Klas’ CTO Frank Murray emphasized the importance of having a unique operating system that can cater to each individual customer’s needs.
“Anyone who’s worked in product development knows how valuable an open software architecture is in terms of risk reduction and design flexibility, which is why we prioritize that approach for all of our solutions, including the TRX D8,” he said. “This allows our customers to work with their preferred vendors and build bespoke solutions that meet their precise needs, while simultaneously addressing the security risks associated with a full-stack operating system.”
Being platform agnostic allows for variable testing platforms across nearly any vendor or vendors serving the growing AV market.
This is doubly true as numerous vendors in the space (including Seagat, NVIDIA, and others) in many cases offer a line of products that lock research and development teams into a single platform.
Klas maintains an open architecture allowing for intercompatibility with almost any vendor in the market, providing flexibility and cost reduction to researchers.
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The ruggedized nature of the TRX D8 ensures long-term reliability, which is a critical benefit given how expensive test rigs are to build, and also allows for testing in extreme environments.
Lastly, the TRX D8 maximizes the time test vehicles can stay on the road while simultaneously offering rapid data transfer to accelerate algorithm development, and ultimately allow OEMs to bring fully self-driving vehicles to market faster.
For a complete list of product specifications click HERE.