miaLinkup is bringing the IoT to your older vehicles

While today’s cars are becoming increasingly more connected than ever before, what about those dating back to 1995? Well, the miaLinkup — which recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign — is a multi-functional wireless device that is looking to bring the Internet of Things to any 20-year-old (or younger) vehicle. 

Based on an AT45DB and an ARM Cortex-M4 MCU, the super tiny device measures just 2.4″ x 1.7″ x 1” and weighs less than 2.5 ounces. Its ultra compact size allows a user to easily plug it into their vehicle’s data port, conveniently located under the dashboard. Once paired with its companion iOS or Android app via Bluetooth, a driver can monitor their car’s battery, manage fuel costs, track trips, protect young drivers, gain remote access, use head-up display, prevent unauthorized movement, as well as locate their vehicle using the device’s built-in sensors.

“Your car and smartphone will be always connected wirelessly and seamlessly, whether your car is on or off, without any recurring yearly or monthly fees,” a company rep writes.

Apart from that, the smart gadget also comes in what team calls a “Pro Plus” version, which packs an assortment of other features like FM radio transmitter, NFC pairing, tire pressure monitoring systm, MEMS digital microphone, a speaker, microSD card slot for up to 32GB, as well as support for both Ford Medium Speed and Single Wire CAN.

In addition, miaLinkup’s open API — aptly dubbed miaAPI — enables developers to create more apps that can interact with a vehicle via the miaLinkup device using the Atmel powered ECUemu3000 tool.

So, whether you’re having a Dude, Where’s My Car? moment and cannot locate your parked car, or would like to keep a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off valet incident from happening, the miaLinkup is the answer. Learn more by heading over to the project’s official page, where the team more than tripled its original $50,000 goal.