Event Data Recording in the Volt

[vdiv]

There is a news article in yesterdays Detroit News about event data recorders (EDRs) colloquially known as black boxes and how they become mandatory for vehicles starting next month. The article mentions 15 data elements that are required to be recorded, but does not give much detail:

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ill-set-Sept-1

Do we know what are the data elements being recorded on the Volt, for how long, at what time interval are the data collected, are the data sent via OnStar and saved remotely, and how is the accuracy and privacy of the data assured?

Now that this collection/retention is soon to be mandatory shouldn't we know a bit more about this?

[WopOnTour]

ALL GM cars and trucks have had an EDR since the late 90s actually (and select models even before that) and most all other OEs have gradually come on-board since then.It's even mentioned in your owners manual

The data sets collected are primarily all related to vehicle dynamaics, safety system activations (such as ABS, TCS, Stability Control etc) as well as airbag deplyment descision data (g-force progression data) and airbag delivery commands and timing.

Essentially the EDR is integral to the SDM or airbag control module (there's really no seperate "black-box" or cockpit voice recorder anything like in aviation) and has a "buffer" where this data is collected off the network at all times when the car is "ON".

If an airbag deployment occurs, this data is "secured" in a special encrypted secure memory location.
Then a specialized piece of equipment (that most police departments own) must be used to harvest this EDR data.
The legal implications and admissabilities (regarding accuracy/reliability and ownership) have already been through the courts repeatedly over the past 12 years or so. What has been determined is the data is imperically accurate and highly reliable.The "registered" or "titled" owner of the car is the legal owner of the data.
So before it can be collected either written permission to do so must be granted by said owner, or the neccessary writs (search warrants or supenae) signed off (assuming a criminal case has been opened) BEFORE it can be extracted from the SDM.

The most common elements of EDR data that has been used in the courts to date are "Vehicle Speed for last xx seconds prior to deployment" , brake and throttle pedal inputs, (again for XX seconds prior to deployment) as well as seat belt usage, warning lamp or message "active" status, as well as other data that could be pertinent to the investigation or reconstruction of a crash.

The upcoming changes are NHTSA regulations demanding how such equipment be implemented, and what exact parameters recorded made mandatory in passenger vehicles sold in the USA (Canada ia following suit via Transport Canada)

As far as privacy issues etc there is zero personal data ever recorded. Nothing get's sent to Onstar other than a crash event occured, GPS coordinates, and a severity index. But following an event Onstar will attempt to contact the occupants. This phone call WILL be recorderd as will any subsequent Onstar comms with the car in case emergency asisstance is required. This too can only be accessed through valid legal means.

If no contact can be made or the ocupants indicate they require assistance, first repsonders will be deployed and the GPS location and severity index information communicated and used to establish appropriate response.

WOT

[Raymondjram]

Data recorders were never "black". Aircraft recorders are fluorescent orange which makes then very visible under water or smoky conditions during a fire. I know exactly when and why the military used that "black box" term, but I don't know who was the stupid reporter who started to use it for data recorders in an accident.

[WopOnTour]

Data recorders were never "black". Aircraft recorders are fluorescent orange which makes then very visible under water or smoky conditions during a fire. I know exactly when and why the military used that "black box" term, but I don't know who was the stupid reporter who started to use it for data recorders in an accident.

Was aware of that. (hence the "quotations") But unfortunately that is what keeps getting put in print when EDR evidence used in a case, makes the newspapers.
My primary point was that it is hardware "built into" the Sensing Diagnostic Module (airbag control module) and not a seperate, stand alone, component, making it impossible to negate without affecting the airbag system.
WOT

[WopOnTour]

dated, but relevant. EFF is at the front of most of these issues.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/0...u-drive-black-

That's a bit different. That's an aftermarket "black box" installed specifically to monitor driving behavior and driving patterns. Much like those used in commercial vehicles liek trucking companies and those you can purchase and install in your own car for monitoring your teeange driver/s.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/ho...en-driver.html
Agreed THAT could become a privacy issue.But I guess if you agreed to it (as a requirement of insurance for a repeat offender for instance) and/or chose to have it installed for your own reasons.

But the data in an OEM EDR cant tell you much of that sort of stuff. Only data that would be useful in reconstructing an accident.
The proposed legislation defines what network parameters are neccessary for this and which are not.
WOT


WOT

[Automotive Motivation]

vdid you may find these four (1-2-3-4) links of interest with regard to EDR, its history and evolution, the NHTSA EDR Working Group, and the device which is used to retrieve crash data from the vehicle.

1. NHTSA EDR Working Group
2. Crash Data Retrieval Tool
3. Wikipedia
4. Current Crash Data Retrieval list of Supported Vehicles

As a participant in the NHTSA EDR Working Group, there was a great deal of information covered over several years of involvement.

Here is a brief synopsis of what is currently in the news:

In 2006, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued a rule requiring that after 2011, if a car or light truck does have an EDR, then the EDR must record specified types of data. (Note: this NHTSA rule does not require vehicles to have EDRs, only what they must record if there is an EDR.)
Final rule – event data recorders: 49 CFR Part 563, Docket No. NHTSA-2006-25666. Vol. 71 Federal Register, No. 166, August 28, 2006, p. 50998-51048.

Here are the 15 items to be tracked if the vehicle does track data and most cars and light duty trucks do have EDR.

1. Speed vehicle was traveling at the time of algorithm enable
2. Engine throttle (percentage accelerator pressed)
3. Brake use (was the brake applied? yes/no)
4. Change in forward crash speed (Delta V speed change)
5. Maximum change in forward crash speed
6. Time from beginning of crash at which the maximum change in forward crash speed occurs (typically 100 to 150 ms)
7. Ignition cycle, crash (number of times the engine had been started prior to the crash)
8. Ignition cycle, download (number of times the engine had been started prior to downloading the EDR data)
9. Safety belt status, driver
10. Frontal airbag warning lamp (on/off or problem in system)
11. Driver frontal airbag deployment, time to deploy for a single stage airbag,or time to first stage deployment for a multistage airbag
12. Right front passenger frontal airbag deployment, time to deploy
13. How many crash events?
14. Time between two crash events, if applicable
15. Did the EDR complete the recording?

[vdiv]

WOT and Automotive Motivation,

Thank you kindly for the great pieces of information. I hope others will find it useful as well.

[WopOnTour]

vdid you may find these four (1-2-3-4) links of interest with regard to EDR, its history and evolution, the NHTSA EDR Working Group, and the device which is used to retrieve crash data from the vehicle.
[/FONT]

heh heh great post.
I'm pretty sure you and I know each other.
Where you at Santa Barbara in 2000 for the inaugeral Vetronix / Don F. & Rusty H. show?
WOT