Kathrein Solutions
Kathrein Solutions
Company description
Kathrein is a renowned German company with deeply rooted traditions, pioneering the production of radio antennas in Germany. Over the years, the company expanded its operations, strengthening collaborations with, among others, Ericsson and Nokia. Among the companies belonging to the Kathrein Group is Kathrein Solutions GmbH, specializing in the production of modern charging stations.
The company is headquartered in Rosenheim, Bavaria. KATHREIN Solutions GmbH focuses on producing various types of charging stations, with an emphasis on devices utilizing alternating current (AC). Their clients include private homeowners, hotels, businesses, and parking operators.
The activities of Kathrein Solutions GmbH not only continue the long tradition of the company but also represent dynamic development in the field of e-mobility, offering innovative solutions for various sectors.
Project description
We developed a mobile application that enables the management of the charging process for both users and operators. The application allows for planning and monitoring charging times, ensuring optimal use of energy resources. The operator has broader permissions, including creating user accounts by registering RFID cards. After the operator adds an RFID card and the user activates it, they can log in as a regular user, enabling them to use the charging stations freely. The application provides full control over the charging process, allowing users to plan charging or start and stop the process instantly using their smartphones.
Using the application is intuitive and tailored to the user’s needs. Advanced statistical and reporting features allow for a detailed analysis of energy costs, presenting data over months, days, and weeks. Users also have access to information regarding power consumption, the quantity of consumed kilowatt-hours, and the costs associated with charging.
Project goals
Implementation of digital transformation, facilitating using charging stations through a modern and intuitive mobile application
Enhancing the efficiency and convenience of the electric vehicle charging process for users
Enabling users to flexibly plan and monitor the charging process
Efficient integration of the mobile application with the charging station system, allowing smooth communication and control over the charging process
Problems
The company’s management aimed to undergo a digital transformation to make it easier for customers to use the charging stations. Customers now have the option to connect their electric vehicles to the charger without the need for a physical token. The application operates within an internal network, so that the use of charging stations does not incur public fees. This is an ideal solution for companies and hotels that want to offer electric vehicle charging as an additional service without charging fees.
The initial use of the service requires one-time validation through an RFID reader. However, after this authorization, users can use the charging stations through the mobile application, eliminating the need for a physical token. An authentication solution was implemented using QR code scanning, allowing users to start charging through the application. This not only increases convenience but also eliminates potential issues associated with the loss of an RFID token.
Challenges
The project presented several challenges, with one of the primary tasks being not just the development of a new application but also the transformation of the entire existing system within the charging stations. This challenge emerged during the project, and the need for improvement was an additional step. The existing software was not originally designed to effectively integrate with the new application, necessitating code modifications. A new, independent component was created to control processes and supplement missing functionalities.
Another challenge involved working with the limited resources of the charging station system. The constrained amount of RAM and the limited computational power of the processor demanded code flexibility and optimization. This required careful consideration and adjustment of the code to operate efficiently within these constraints.
Solutions
In the development of the application for Kathrein Solutions GmbH, Flutter technology was employed. Flutter allows for writing code that can be adapted for various platforms, such as Android, iOS, and web interfaces. This not only saves time but also significantly reduces costs, as there is no need to create separate solutions for each platform. A single cross-platform application serves as one source of code supporting all devices.
For the charging station software, Go Lang was used. Implementing this technology proved crucial for effectively achieving the project goals. The use of Go Lang enabled the optimization of all processes related to charging. The system acts as an API for the mobile application. The API serves as the foundation for the entire interaction between the charging station and the mobile application. Key functionalities, such as starting and stopping charging or RFID card integration, were implemented in Go Lang, making them available as an API for the mobile application. This approach facilitated easy connection and effective utilization of the charging station’s features.
Results
- The use of Flutter technology facilitated the creation of a mobile application with a single source code that can be utilized on both Android and iOS platforms.
- The successful integration of the application with the charging station software allows users to have complete control over the charging process through their smartphones.
- The implementation of Go Lang for the charging station system optimization ensured smooth operation and efficient utilization of system resources.
- The application provides users with advanced statistical and reporting features, enabling a detailed analysis of energy costs, charging history, power consumption, and other parameters.