Project ARAExploration of modular phones

Diana Naranjo PomalayaMAC0463/5743 - Computação

Móvel

Introduction

Project ARA’s concept became popular because of Phonebloks

Source: https://phonebloks.com/en (jun 2014)

Goal

Reduce production of electronic waste and expand life-span of components

Source: http://tinyurl.com/k86pkmd (jun 2014)

Phonebloks

Problem: If a component of a mobile phone brakes, in order to replace it, the user has to replace the whole

phone. Same thing if the user wants to upgrade it. Electronic waste is composed mainly by elements that are

still functional

Solution?

MODULARITY

Evolution of the ideaGoogle acquired modular mobile phone patents.

Initial exploration started by Google.

Phonebloks initiative began on December

Partnership between Phonebloks and Motorola was announced, Project ARA.

“MAKEwithMOTO” tour took off

Motorola was sold to Lenovo.ATAP team conducting Project ARA

was integrated into Google. First Project ARA Developers

Conference took place.

2011

2012

2013

2014

Advanced Technology And Projects

“Generally, time is not your friend,” says Eremenko.

“Innovation under time pressure is generally higher-

quality innovation”

Other Modular Phones

● ECO-MOBIUS: ZTE

● Magic Cube: Xiaomi

● Blocks

ECO-MOBIUS

● Four big modules: LCD, core, camera and battery

● A platform was created to maintain a high control over the phones and its modules

Source: http://tinyurl.com/lr7ydxv (jun 2014)

Magic Cube

● Will be a sum of 4 to 5 exchangeable modules

● The screen may be completely attached to the base, making it unchangeable

Source: http://www.movileschinos.eu/noticias/xiaomi-magic-cube/ (jun 2014)

Blocks

● Modules would be small blocks that connected create the band for the smartwatch

● Open Platform

Source: http://www.chooseblocks.com/ (jun 2014)

Project ARA’s Platform

● Endoskeleton (Endo)● Modules

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Endoskeleton (Endo)

● Backbone of the platform

● Front: Latches● Back: EPMs● Life-span: 5 to 6

years

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Endoskeleton Issues

● Universal Electrical Bus

● Modules cannot jump ribs or spine of endo

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Modules

● Building blocks● Hot swappable● Module ecosystem

Fonte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Modules Issues

● 40% of PCB for component developers’ own HW

● Cost of production● Can only expand on the y-

axis (top/bottom) or z-axis

Fonte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Aplication Processor Module

● Will hold the CPU, memory, SD card slot, and other core operational hardware

● Problem? Cannot be separated

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Main Issues / Possible Solutions

● User○ Paradox of choice○ Overhead

(size/weight)○ Module cost○ Security of data

● Developer○ Regulatory

certification○ Module market

certification

● User○ Phone makers ○ Value of

customization○ Module ecosystem○ TBD

● Developer○ Initial support○ MDK○ Feedback welcomed

Main Issues / Possible Solutions

● Connectors● P2P module

communication● Device driver

requirements (new drivers, different kernels, security)

● EPMs, Capacitive M-PHY

● UniPro● Generic class

drivers

New Technologies in ARA

● UniPro● Capacitive M-PHY● Electro permanent

magnets

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

UniPro 1.6

● High speed interface protocol

● Aims:○ High-speed data

communication (gigabits/second)

○ Data reliability○ Robustness

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Capacitive M-PHY

● High-speed physical layer spec● Aims:

○ Connection points with longer life-spans○ High bandwidth capabilities○ Good power efficiency

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

ElectroPermanent magnet

● The magnetic effect can be maintained without requiring a continuous supply of energy

● Only needed to turn the magnetization on and off

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

1st Functional Prototype

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/15/project-ara-modular-smartphone/ (jun 2014)

1st Functional Prototype

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

3D Printing (3D Systems)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

ARA Configurator App (SoSo Limited)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4 (jun 2014)

Conclusions: Development

● One field that is benefitting from this project is 3D printing

● Specialized technology (UniPro and M-PHY) has made the development of this device efficient

● Technology used in Project ARA can be re-used in other items

Conclusions: Modular market

● Modular market might not settle so quickly● With the prototype’s receive in the market, new

companies or individuals might get interested in the development of modules

● The success is tightly connected to the variety of modules and brands that the user might be able to acquire

Conclusions: Configuration App

● The platform that allows the user to manage all its modules should be intuitive enough for new smartphone users

Questions?

References● PHONEBLOKS. Phonebloks, a phone worth keeping.

2014. https://phonebloks.com/en● REISINGER, Don. Report: Google acquires Modu's

mobile patents. 20/05/2011. http://www.cnet.com/news/report-google-acquires-modus-mobile-patents/

● THUNDERCLAP.INC. Thundeclap. 2012 https://www.thunderclap.it/en

● MCCRACKEN, Harry. Project Ara: Inside Google’s Bold Gambit to Make Smartphones Modular. 26/02/2014. http://time.com/10115/google-project-ara-modular-smartphone/

● YUE, Yu. Two Futuristic ZTE Phones. 29/10/2013 http://wwwen.zte.com.cn/endata/magazine/mobileworld/2013/5/articles/201310/t20131029_411072.html

● PÉREZ, Alex. Smartphone modular Xiaomi Magic Cube. 10/10/2013. http://www.movileschinos.eu/noticias/xiaomi-magic-cube/

● BLOCKS. Choosebloks. 2014. http://www.chooseblocks.com/

● CHAN, Norman. Tested Explains: How Google's Project Ara Smartphone Works. 15/04/2014 http://www.tested.com/tech/smartphones/460765-tested-explains-how-googles-project-ara-smartphone-works/

● GOOGLE ATAP. Project Ara Developers Conference Day 1. 15/04/2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OEKL1w__4

● GOOGLE ATAP. Project Ara Developers Conference Day 2. 15/04/2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP8yzJhe-BA

● MIPI ALLIANCE. UniPro(SM) Specifications. 2014. http://mipi.org/specifications/unipro-specifications

● MIPI ALLIANCE. Physical Layer Specifications. 2014. http://mipi.org/specifications/physical-layer

● DEYLE, Travis. Electropermanent Magnets. 7/12/2010● http://www.hizook.com/blog/2010/12/07/electropermanent-

magnets-programmable-magnets-zero-static-power-consumption-enable-s