Klas launches new data logging hardware TRX D8 specifically for autonomous vehicle development

According to foreign media reports, Klas, a leading global provider of edge intelligence solutions, announced the launch of a new data recording hardware TRX D8. This hardware is an on-board storage and computing system designed for autonomous vehicle research and development. It is very rugged and durable and can be used to record large amounts of data from autonomous vehicle testing. During the research and development process, this hardware can help developers better evaluate and adjust algorithms, thereby ultimately bringing autonomous vehicles that can operate safely in all environments to market.

(Image source: Klas)

“Consumer confidence in self-driving cars is tied to the performance of the algorithms that run these vehicles, and to convince people that self-driving cars can operate safely, we must test these algorithms in a variety of conditions,” said John Gallagher, CEO of Klas. “Klas knows how to build rugged devices that can be deployed everywhere, and understands the need to combine storage and compute to simplify the development process. That’s why we combined industry-leading storage capabilities with onboard compute to create the TRX D8. This hardware allows developers to structure and categorize data as it is collected and test it locally, accelerating algorithm development while reducing costs.”

Klas' extensive experience in developing edge computing solutions for government and rail applications has led to the creation of the TRX D8, which is already in use in vehicles for a leading automotive OEM and has proven its rugged, compact design for extreme environments. The new TRX D8 collects data from onboard Ethernet and Controller Area Network (CAN) and offers 240 TB of storage in an easily removable cassette.

The compute elements of the TRX D8 run on KlasOS Keel, Klas’ field-proven operating system. Keel is designed for edge locations where security and reliability are critical, and has a built-in hypervisor to provide OEMs with the flexibility to run their own software and maintain full control over their data.

“Product developers understand the value of open software architectures in terms of risk reduction and design flexibility, so we prioritize this approach for all of our solutions, including the TRX D8,” said Frank Murray, chief technology officer at Klas. “This allows our customers to work with their preferred vendors to build custom solutions that meet their precise needs while mitigating the security risks associated with a full-stack operating system.”

Features of TRX D8 include: 1) It uses Intel® Xeon® D processors for fast data extraction, with 8-core, 12-core or 16-core options and up to 96 GB of RAM; 2) It can easily collect and transmit data through a removable 8-drive dark box, and supports 12Gb/s SAS and 6Gb/s SATA; 3) It is customized for car batteries, has low power consumption, and can be used for 10-36 V DC vehicle power adapters; 4) Localized disk encryption can maximize data security, and adopts a modular architecture that is easy to iterate and upgrade. Its virtualization layer also supports on-board data cleansing and organization.

The TRX D8 is rugged, ensuring long-term reliability, which is important for costly test benches. In addition, the hardware allows testing in extreme environments. The TRX D8 is platform-agnostic and can be easily integrated into R&D test platforms from multiple suppliers or combinations of suppliers that serve the growing autonomous driving market. In addition, the TRX D8 maximizes the range of test vehicles while providing fast data transfer, which accelerates algorithm development and ultimately allows OEMs to bring fully autonomous vehicles to market faster.