DCAR BT : from original equipment to a universal solution

Context & Challenges

Micro-mobility is gradually establishing itself as a cornerstone of modern urban mobility. Compact, electric and accessible, it is redefining the way city dwellers get around.

But this evolution brings with it a new requirement: a light vehicle must now be just as connected and smart as a luxury car.

From simplified maintenance to real-time data and personalised services, connectivity has rapidly become an essential standard.

It was against this backdrop that a major group commissioned Dunasys Telematics to design a bespoke telematics unit for the Citroën AMI, the symbol of the new generation of urban electric vehicles.

Building on the success of this partnership, the solution was subsequently rolled out on the Opel Rocks-e and Fiat Topolino models, before being made available to all vehicles equipped with an OBD II port.

Project Objective

The initial aim was to create a simple, reliable and scalable industrial telematics module capable of enhancing the driver experience whilst paving the way for new connected services.

For our client, the requirements were high and the product had to be:

• designed and manufactured in France,
• compliant with automotive standards,
• and ready to evolve with future generations of vehicles.

For drivers, the aim was to offer a ‘plug & play’ installation, requiring no tools or technical knowledge, simply via the OBD II socket.

And for fleets and car-sharing operators, the solution was to become a central monitoring and maintenance tool, bringing together data, alerts and service scheduling.

Solution developed by Dunasys Telematics

The DCAR BT is the result of a comprehensive R&D project carried out by the teams at Dunasys Telematics.

Manufactured in France, this compact, energy-efficient and highly adaptable unit combines electronic innovation, miniaturisation and automotive-grade robustness.

Easy to install – simply plug it into the OBD II socket – the DCAR BT establishes a Bluetooth connection with an intuitive mobile app (iOS and Android).

This allows the driver to view their mileage, the location of their vehicle, its range, the battery charge level, and even book an appointment directly with a partner garage.

In the background, the data is transmitted to a secure server, enabling its use for predictive maintenance, fleet tracking or car-sharing.

The unit complies with the ISO 26262 automotive standards and supports CAN protocols (ISO 15765-4, ISO 14229, SAE J1939), ensuring compatibility with all types of vehicles, whether petrol, hybrid or electric.

An R&D innovation that has set the standard

Behind its apparent simplicity, the DCAR BT embodies Dunasys’s complete mastery of the value chain: from electronic design and connectivity to software development and industrialisation.

Originating from a manufacturer’s project, it has evolved into an open and universal product, available as original equipment but also in the aftermarket, through consumer retail chains such as Darty.

Rapid and controlled roll-out

In just three years, the DCAR BT has gone from the engineering laboratory to mass production.

At the same time, a consumer version was launched in European retail networks and across the Maghreb.

Today, the solution is produced at a rate of over 40,000 units per year, and production ramp-up continues, driven by growing demand for plug-and-play telematics solutions.

Results & Benefits

The DCAR BT is much more than just a connected device: it is a prime example of an innovation born out of a manufacturer’s need, which has since become an industry standard accessible to all.

It demonstrates Dunasys’s ability to bridge the gap between bespoke R&D and large-scale industrial production.

This success highlights three key strengths:

• comprehensive R&D expertise, from design to production;
• reliable, high-performance and accessible French technology;
• unique versatility, serving manufacturers, equipment suppliers, fleet managers and car-sharing operators.

Perspectives for target audiences

Building on this success, Dunasys Telematics continues to develop the DCAR BT with new features: predictive analytics, data-driven services and integration into connected mobility platforms.

This trajectory reflects the company’s philosophy: design in France, think globally and make mobility smarter, simpler and more sustainable.

Are you a manufacturer, equipment supplier or fleet manager?

Contact us to find out how the DCAR BT can be integrated into your connected vehicles or services.

Together, let’s design the next generation of smart mobility.