One more product I’m proud of is a smart trickle charging system for car batteries. It was developed to address the common issue of car batteries dying due to extended periods of inactivity, such as during vacations, storage, or infrequent use. We developed it from concept to launch, working closely with a team of engineers, designers, and automotive experts.

Here’s an overview of the key features and functionalities of this system

1. Smart Trickle Charging Technology: It employs smart trickle charging technology to maintain optimal battery health and prevent depletion over time. Unlike traditional trickle chargers that provide a constant low-level charge, it dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on the battery’s voltage level and condition. This ensures that the battery receives just enough charge to maintain its state of charge without overcharging or damaging the battery cells.
2. Automatic Voltage Sensing: It is equipped with automatic voltage sensing capabilities that detect the state of charge of the battery upon connection. Based on the battery’s voltage level, it determines the appropriate charging rate and adjusts its output accordingly. This feature eliminates the need for manual adjustments and ensures safe and efficient charging for a wide range of vehicle batteries.
3. Intelligent Charging Profiles: It supports multiple charging profiles tailored to different types of batteries, including lead-acid, AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat), and gel-cell batteries. Users can select the appropriate charging profile based on their vehicle’s battery specifications, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.
4. Remote Monitoring and Control: It includes a companion mobile app that allows users to remotely monitor and control the charging process from their smartphones or tablets. Through the app, users can view real-time battery status, receive notifications about charging events, and adjust charging settings as needed. This feature provides convenience and peace of mind, especially for users who are away from their vehicles for extended periods.
5. Battery Health Diagnostics: It provides insights into the health and condition of the vehicle battery through the mobile app. Users can access diagnostic information such as battery voltage, charging current, and battery health status, allowing them to identify potential issues early and take preventive measures to avoid battery failure.
6. Safety Features: It incorporates safety features such as reverse polarity protection, short-circuit protection, and overcharge protection to prevent damage to the vehicle’s electrical system and ensure safe operation. These features adhere to industry standards and regulations for battery charging equipment, providing users with peace of mind and confidence in the product’s reliability.

By offering a reliable and user-friendly solution for maintaining vehicle batteries, This system helps prolong battery life, reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns, and enhance the overall reliability of vehicles, especially those that are infrequently used or stored for extended periods. As a product manager, I’m proud to have contributed to the development of a product that addresses a common pain point for vehicle owners and improves their overall driving experience.

Tech Stack Used:

The development of this system required a combination of hardware and software components to create a robust and user-friendly smart trickle charger. Here’s a breakdown of the tech stack used for development of this system.

Embedded Systems:

• Microcontroller Unit (MCU): It likely utilizes a microcontroller unit (MCU) as the core processing unit. MCUs are commonly used in embedded systems for their low power consumption and ability to interface with peripherals.
• Firmware Development: Firmware is developed using C++ to control the behavior of the microcontroller, manage charging algorithms, and handle communication protocols.

Wireless Communication:

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): It incorporated BLE technology for wireless communication with mobile devices. BLE allows for low-power, short-range communication, enabling users to monitor and control the charging process via a companion mobile app.
• Wi-Fi or Cellular Connectivity: For advanced features such as remote monitoring and control, it was integrated with Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. This allows users to access charging status and adjust settings from anywhere with internet access.

Mobile App Development:

• Cross-Platform Frameworks: To ensure compatibility across multiple mobile platforms, it needed a mobile app to be developed using cross-platform frameworks such as React Native and Xamarin
• iOS and Android Development: Developers used languages such as Swift (for iOS) and Java or Kotlin (for Android) to build native features and integrate BLE/Wi-Fi connectivity for communication with the ChargeGuard device.

Cloud Infrastructure:

• Cloud Storage: It utilized cloud storage solutions such as Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage to store user data, charging history, and configuration settings.
• Backend Services: Backend services were hosted on cloud platforms like AWS Lambda to handle authentication, data processing, and communication between the mobile app and the charging device.
• Database: The database which was used was Amazon DynamoDB to store user profiles, charging schedules, and other relevant information.

Security:

• Data Encryption: It implements data encryption protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS) to secure communication between the mobile app, cloud infrastructure, and the trickle charging device.
• Authentication and Authorization: User authentication mechanisms such as OAuth and JWT are employed to ensure that only authorized users can access the mobile app and control the charging device.

User Interface (UI) Design:

• UI/UX Design Tools: Designers used tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD, or Figma to create intuitive user interfaces for the mobile app, allowing users to monitor battery status, adjust charging settings, and receive notifications.

Overall, the tech stack for the trickle charging system includes a mix of embedded systems programming, mobile app development, cloud infrastructure, and security measures to create a reliable and user-friendly smart trickle charger solution.