A New Approach to Enhancing Your Travel Experience with Smart Van Box​

We’re excited to share some big news about how we’re evolving the Smart Van Box to better meet your needs on the road. Our journey started with categorizing the features into four main groups: Monitoring, Control, Security, and Smart. While this structure was effective, we’ve realized that our users are looking for more than just functionalities—they’re seeking an enhanced travel experience. That’s why we’ve decided to rethink our approach.

Shifting the Focus to the Travel Experience​

Our new direction centers around improving every aspect of your journey, making your travel experience smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. Rather than grouping the features into technical categories, we’re now organizing them based on how they can directly enrich your time on the road. We believe that the true value of technology lies in how it enhances real-life moments, and that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.

What’s Changing?​

The Smart Van Box is evolving to be more intuitive and user-centric, offering solutions that are tailored to the different stages and situations of your journey. Whether you’re planning a road trip, setting up camp, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, the features will be designed to seamlessly integrate into your experience, providing you with the right tools at the right time.

We’re focusing on key areas such as

• Ensuring Resource Efficiency: Providing insights and forecasts that help you manage energy, water, and other resources effectively throughout your trip.
• Simplifying Daily Tasks: Streamlining tasks like parking, setup, and maintenance to give you more time to relax and explore.
• Enhancing Comfort: Offering smart automations and seamless transitions that adapt to your preferences and surroundings.
• Optimizing Trip Planning: Making it easier to plan your journey with personalized recommendations and route optimization.

A New Chapter for the Smart Van Community​

This change in approach is more than just a restructuring—it’s about putting the travel experience first. By focusing on how technology can solve real problems and elevate your time on the road, we’re confident that the new Smart Van Box will become an even more essential companion for every adventure.

Stay tuned as we continue to roll out these updates and bring a more travel-focused approach to life. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to share more details soon!

Happy travels, The Smart Van Box Team

We’re excited to announce our upcoming SmartVanBox workshop, happening in Bolzano at the BITZ Fablab on October 5th, 2024!

This 3-hour hands-on session will take place from 2 PM to 5 PM. During the workshop, you'll have the chance to build your very own SmartVanBox with guidance from our experts.

The participation fee is €20, but it’s free for all UniBZ students. Additionally, with a small extra contribution, you'll be able to take home your SmartVanBox and integrate it into your camper or van!

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the project, get practical experience, and connect with fellow makers.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out!

• Where: BITZ Fablab, Bolzano
• When: October 5th, 2024
• Time: 2 PM - 5 PM
• Cost: €20 (free for unibz students)

We hope to see you there!

Yesterday, we held our first SmartVanBox workshop at the BITZ Fab Lab in Bolzano. Our inaugural participants, Jonas and Hannelore, successfully created their own SmartVanBox devices during the session.

The workshop began with a brief presentation of the SmartVanBox project, followed by a technical introduction to how it works. Once the overview was complete, we quickly got to work on assembling the SmartVanBox units.

Thanks to the 3D printers at the BITZ Fab Lab, we had pre-prepared the cases, which allowed us to complete the assembly and configuration in just a couple of hours. While setting up, we encountered a few issues with the WiFi connection, but we eventually managed to install the JOD SmartVan distribution on the SmartVanBox devices. Once that was done, we tested the work done connecting to the SmartVanBox using a smartphone and the SV Mobile App.

At the end of the workshop, Roberto, our lead developer, demonstrated the various possibilities these devices offer. Besides their obvious use in campers, the Open Source nature of SmartVanBox makes them incredibly easy to modify and update, allowing users to adapt them to whatever needs they might have on the road.

We’re planning another workshop soon — stay tuned and don’t miss the chance to sign up!

We have updated the Bill of Materials (BOM) for the SVBox 1.0 model. The main change involves the module used for controlling the camper's 12V services. We have switched to a 10A relays module.

Additionally, we have made minor updates to some components, including ports and various cables.

You can download the BOM List 1.0.1 or find it in the Resources section of the SV Box 1.0 model.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest model, the SVBox IoT 1.0. This new model is a significant upgrade from our previous versions, focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and the 'brain' of the Smart Van Box.

The SVBox IoT 1.0 is designed for daily use within your vehicles. It is a compact, efficient, and powerful device that can seamlessly integrate with your existing vehicle systems.

Assembly and Configuration​

We have made the assembly process as simple and intuitive as possible. The SVBox IoT 1.0 uses HAT modules, which are designed to be stacked one on top of the other, much like LEGO bricks. This design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, providing flexibility and convenience.

In addition to the main HAT modules, there are three other boards (2x gas sensors

• relays) that need to be connected via cables to the main block of the device, which also houses the Raspberry Pi. Once you have received all the components, you can proceed with the assembly.

Specifications and Features​

The SVBox IoT 1.0 comes with a host of features and specifications. It can provide GNSS info from various systems (GPS/Beidou/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS), detect movement, orientation, and the magnetic field, provide environment-related data, and much more.

With the AW9523B, the IO Expansion board can listen up to 16 buttons (8 by default) and control up to 16 relays (8 by default). Victron's SmartSolar/BlueSolar series devices can provide info about the service's battery status, solar panel charge, and load consumption.

The UPS Pack with its own battery for the IoT block provides info about the battery status. The SIM7600 module can provide mobile connectivity and its status. You can use the onboard RPi WiFi to provide a local WiFi network and keep track of the RPi load status.

We are delighted to announce the release of JOD Smart Van version 1.0.0, bringing a host of new features, improvements, and firmware updates. Here are the key highlights of this release:

Major Updates​

• Build Configurations: Implemented robust production and development build configurations to enhance project setup.
• Firmware Management Scripts: Integrated firmware management into pre-startup.sh and post-startup.sh scripts for improved control and efficiency.
• Firmware Version Updates:
  • FW Victron updated to v1.0.2. View Sources
  • FW SIM 7600 introduced with version 1.0.0. View Sources
  • FW UPS Pack_V3 added with version 1.0.0. View Sources
  • FW Sense Hat included with version 1.0.0. View Sources
  • FW IO Exp introduced with version 1.0.0. View Sources
• File Structure Updates:
  • Updated the struct.jod file to match Smart Van Specs.
  • Added structure files for all SV specs sub-groups.
  • Added structure files for any included firmware.

Here you can download the JOD Smart Van distribution - v1.0.0 release.

For a detailed overview, please refer to the changelog or git commits.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to your feedback on this exciting release! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce the latest update to our Smart Van project website, bringing you more features, information, and a smoother browsing experience. Here's a quick overview of the changes in version 1.1.0:

1. Homepage Announcement Bar:

   • 🚀 Now, stay informed with our announcement bar on the homepage. Catch the latest updates, news, and announcements right at the top.

2. Enhanced Software and Hardware Pages:

   • 🔄 We've revamped and updated the Software and Hardware pages, providing you with more detailed and organized information about our project.

3. New Pages: Specifications and Features:

   • 📋 Dive into the specifics! Explore the newly added Specifications and Features pages for a comprehensive understanding of what Smart Van has to offer.

4. Firmware Section in Software Pages:

   • 🧰 Discover our firmware updates! The Software pages now include dedicated sections for firmware details, making it easier for you to access and stay up-to-date.

5. Blog Posts Section:

   • 📰 Check out our new Blog Posts section. We've added articles covering the FW Victron v 1.0.2 release, highlights from Maker Faire Rome, and, of course, details about this website update.

6. Various Fixes and Text Refinements:

   • 🛠️ We've listened to your feedback and made several improvements to enhance your overall browsing experience. From fixes to text refinements, we strive to provide you with a seamless and enjoyable visit.

Thank you for being a part of the Smart Van community. Explore the updated website and stay tuned for more exciting developments on our journey of DIY innovation! 🚐💡

The Maker Faire 2023 was not only an exceptional showcase for the Smart Van project but also an opportunity for engaging conversations. Two notable interviews provided unique perspectives on our innovative venture:

Interesting Engineering Interview by Emily Johnson:

📰 Emily Johnson from Interesting Engineering delved into the details of the Smart Van project, exploring how it is revolutionizing the concept of van life. Read the Full Interview: check out the comprehensive article published on the Interesting Engineering website: Discover how the Smart Van project is making van life accessible to everyone.

Radio Citta Aperta Interview with Miro Barsa (Katzenjammer Program):

🎙️ Miro Barsa from Radio Citta Aperta, in the Katzenjammer program, engaged in a dynamic conversation about the Smart Van project. Tune in to the podcast to hear insights into how this project caters to digital nomads and enthusiasts. Listen to the Interview: follow the link to the Radio Citta Aperta podcast and catch the lively discussion about Smart Van.

These interviews provide a deeper understanding of the Smart Van initiative and its impact on the world of DIY and mobile living. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to share the journey of making van life smarter and more accessible.

Maker of Merit Award:

🏆 The Smart Van project received the esteemed Maker of Merit Award at Maker Faire 2023. This accolade is reserved for projects that demonstrate exceptional innovation and hold the promise of significant success.

We extend our gratitude to the Maker Faire community for this honor and appreciate the enthusiasm of all visitors who explored the Smart Van project. Stay tuned as we continue to evolve and inspire in the realm of DIY innovation.

Exciting news from the Maker Faire Rome, where the Smart Van project made a stellar appearance from November 20 to 22, 2023. Positioned in the vibrant pavilion 4 Life, just to the left upon entering, our innovative project drew attention and captivated the audience.

In pavilion 4 Life, alongside other groundbreaking projects like fruit-picking robots and high-tech greenhouses, the Smart Van project showcased its brilliance. The enthusiasm was palpable as visitors explored the diverse range of innovations.

Our booth featured an entire camperized van 🚐, complete with the prototype panel installed. The immersive display transported visitors to a camping and windsurfing scene, showcasing the practicality and versatility of the Smart Van Box.

The response exceeded our expectations, with a continuous stream of visitors eager to learn about the Smart Van Box functionalities and the camperization process. Questions ranged from technical aspects to the sheer curiosity about transforming a regular van into a smart and functional mobile hub.

🏆 Maker of Merit Award: To our delight, the Smart Van project was honored with the prestigious Maker of Merit award. This accolade is reserved for a select few projects deemed the most intriguing and with significant potential for success.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire Smart Van team, who tirelessly answered questions with passion and wore brilliant smiles throughout the three-day event. Your dedication and enthusiasm truly made the Smart Van project shine.

We're thrilled about the success at Maker Faire Rome and look forward to sharing more exciting updates as the Smart Van journey continues! 🌍✨

We're thrilled to announce the release of FW Victron version 1.0.2, packed with exciting updates and improvements. Here's a rundown of the key changes:

1. Enhanced Performance:

• Implemented property cache on run.py for optimized runtime efficiency.
• CaFlculated properties now seamlessly integrated into dbus_definitions.py.

2. VESimulator Upgrades:

• Updated the VESimulator with the latest values for improved simulation accuracy.

3. Code Synchronization:

• Achieved code synchronization across various firmware repositories, ensuring consistency and compatibility.

4. Exception Handling:

• Improved exception handling mechanisms, enhancing overall system robustness.

5. Documentation Additions:

• Introduced new documentation pages:
  • supported_devices.md: A comprehensive guide to supported devices.
  • values_mapping.md: Detailed mapping of property values for reference.

We encourage users to explore these updates and provide feedback. Check out the latest release on our GitHub repository.

Thank you for your continued support, and happy coding! 🚀🔧