McLaren Applied has developed a 5G intelligent edge antenna for moving vehicle applications. With a compact design, the Halo 300 is said to deliver significant connectivity advantages for an array of operators and sectors that will also benefit from increased performance and a lower cost and complexity than other connectivity solutions. The antenna is also easier to install and maintain due to dual built-in modems. This means fewer cables are required and there is no need for a separate router or access point.
McLaren Applied’s latest solution uses Huber+Suhner antenna componentry, high-quality hardware and reliable software, field-proven through use in a multitude of race series.
Flexible and futureproofed by design, the Halo 300 can be utilized to ‘take advantage of near-term developments in autonomous travel, software-defined vehicles and the Internet of Things’. It features edge computing, integrated eSIMs, built-in power to support additional applications, and a CANbus interface.
Halo 300 was originally developed by McLaren Applied for use within the Formula 1 World Championship, and the company’s patented Fleet Connect software is already deployed on international fleets to provide high-speed passenger wi-fi connections and operator uplinks for operational, infrastructure and safety purposes.
By splitting data across networks in real time and then reassembling it in the cloud before it reaches its destination, Fleet Connect can increase bandwidth and data throughput. It can also reduce blackspots while providing a consistent connectivity stream.
“The availability of Halo 300, our 5G intelligent edge antenna technology, and our proprietary Fleet Connect software, in such a compact and convenient package is truly exciting,” said Mark Halliday, head of product and programs at McLaren Applied. “Already proven in applications from racing to rail, its potential benefits in other moving vehicle applications are almost limitless.
“From offering invaluable insight into energy efficiency, scheduling and maintenance for operators, to improving passenger experience through the provision of seamless wi-fi connectivity, its current benefits are clear. As we move forward into a new era of autonomy, connected vehicles and AI, an intelligent real-time and reliable data connection will enable transformative advances in the use of vehicles of all kinds, and McLaren Applied’s Halo 300 is the first step on that journey.”
