As public awareness of indoor air quality in transportation continues to rise, Hispacold, a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems for buses, launched a strategic initiative to bring smarter air management to its vehicles. The objective was to implement a real-time indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring system capable of automatically regulating ventilation and air renewal based on actual environmental conditions.
To ensure seamless communication with the vehicle’s existing architecture, the solution needed to be fully compatible with the CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system. This integration was essential to support dynamic control of the HVAC system using live environmental data. Moreover, the project aimed to meet the requirements of international standards such as VDV 236, setting a new benchmark for health, comfort, and energy efficiency in public transport environments.
To meet the specific requirements of the transport sector, Hispacold deployed a fleet of 50 MICA Road devices, a version of inBiot’s IAQ technology specially engineered for automotive environments.
The main challenge lay in the design and manufacturing of a device fully adapted to the mechanical, electrical, and communication requirements of the public transport sector. The goal was to ensure robustness, measurement accuracy, and easy integration into existing ventilation systems on board.
Key features of the solution included:
- Continuous monitoring of critical air quality parameters such as CO₂, temperature, and relative humidity, providing real-time insights into onboard environmental conditions.
- Compact and robust design, tailored for integration into buses and coaches, with direct power supply from the vehicle’s electrical system (8V–32V) and CAN bus connectivity for seamless data communication.
- Optimized installation, enabling direct integration into both air inlets and outlets within the vehicle’s ventilation system, ensuring accurate and responsive environmental control at all times.
- Smarter onboard ventilation control : Real-time environmental monitoring enabled automated air renewal based on actual CO₂ and humidity levels, improving overall system responsiveness.
- Energy-efficient HVAC operation : Adaptive ventilation reduced unnecessary energy use, contributing to lower operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint.
- Enhanced passenger comfort : More stable and healthier indoor conditions improved the overall travel experience for riders.
- Regulatory compliance : The system ensured alignment with IAQ standards such as VDV 236, reinforcing trust and credibility in public transport environments.
- Fleet-wide integration and visibility : CAN bus connectivity allowed seamless communication with vehicle systems, offering greater control and insight to operators and manufacturers.
- Technological differentiation : By embedding IAQ intelligence into its HVAC systems, Hispacold strengthened its competitive edge in the public transport sector.
50
devices (
,
)
API licences
My inBiot Business licences
Custom Business Intelligence dashboard
Temperature, Humidity & CO2
Spain
2024
“Collaborating with inBiot has enabled us to incorporate advanced environmental monitoring technology into our bus ventilation systems. The MICA Road solution has been seamlessly integrated into our designs, providing accurate real-time data to help us improve energy efficiency and on-board comfort. It certainly represents a key added value for the future of intelligent transport.”
