Internet2 and Innova Inc., manufacturer of an all-electric micro vehicle, the Innova Dash, will debut a uniquely equipped University Electric Vehicle (UEV) during the Internet2 Global Summit, an international gathering of more than 800 advanced technology leaders from universities, research organizations, and industry.
The UEV model represents a new type of vehicle providing an innovative opportunity for campuses nationwide to inspire carbon footprint reduction, foster research involving sensor data, and broaden understanding of the emerging “Internet of Things” phenomenon.
The UEV will be available for general use on campus and equipped with a tablet-sized personal computer controlling the electronics and advanced technologies. The UEVs will connect automatically to the campus’s Wi-Fi network via an installed 802.11x certificate and eduroam technology. This enables the vehicle to communicate operational data, such as position, speed and battery charge, to the campus’s computer network, where the data can support relevant research projects. The eduroam technology is a global Wi-Fi service normally enabling students, researchers and staff to obtain secure and fast Internet connectivity across campuses by simply opening their laptop.
Via a mobile application, users will know if a vehicle is available, where it is and where it will be. UEV users will be able to use their campus identification and password credentials provided by Internet2’s InCommon service to log in, reserve, activate vehicle use and provide comments on the vehicle’s performance and utility.
The seamless log in and identity applications combined with the high capacity 100 gigabit per second Internet2 Network will allow researchers to collect, transfer, store and analyze robust sensor data from the vehicle. This will provide a unique opportunity to greatly understand the “Internet of Things.” At the project’s conclusion, all aggregated data will become anonymous and publicly available to interested researchers.
U.S. colleges and universities may obtain application information at internet2.edu.
Innova UEV, a zero emissions electronic vehicle company, is based in the Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge, Illinois. Innova’s Dash is a new urban electric vehicle, a variation on European micro-car technology. The Dash fills the gap between motorcycles and compact vehicles. With a maximum speed of 35 mph and an estimated 100-mile range, the Dash plugs into any standard garage 240-volt outlet at the cost of less than 25¢-a-day to operate.
