What programming languages are most commonly used on automobile systems? What type of data is collected while it is running? What platform does it use?
I am also interested in the new hybrid/electric automobiles, what languages and platforms do they use?
Thanks!
OBD-II is an interface for collecting automobile data.
In terms of the programming languages, I think it is likely to overlap with a lot of other embedded environments; C is probably used, RTOSs like VXWorks, and so on. 1394(firewire) is beginning to be used for networking.
There is an interesting looking website called 'Automotive Design Line'
Electronics in the automotive industry are usually based on embedded microcontrollers. As such, the programming languages are usually C, C++, and assembly. In some cases, a higher-level language such as ladder-logic is used to describe the actual control logic.
Modern automobiles have several separate computer systems, each designed to control a specific aspect of the vehicle's operation. There is usually one controller for the engine, one for the transmission, one for the dashboard electronics, one for the ABS braking system, traction control, etc.
Each of these control modules has a set of inputs and outputs. The engine controller, for example, reads many sensors including coolant temperature, engine speed, oxygen intake, throttle position, and so on. And, based on these inputs, it makes decisions about fuelling for the engine. In hybrid vehicles and electric-only vehicles, the engine control system is, of course, entirely different. There is still a controller, but instead of just making decisions about fuelling, it can make decisions about when to engage the electric motors vs the gas engine, how much power to apply to each electric motor, etc.
The various control modules are connected together using an in-vehicle network. There are many different ways of implementing this network, but one of the most common is CAN (Controller Area Network). The network allows individual control modules to send and receive information from other modules at high speed while the vehicle is in operation.
update: Here are some links for further reading:
CAN systems from AA1Car.com
The Hybrid Bible from CarBibles.com
Sensors Make Cars Smarter - an article from Design News
update: Here is a recent article on the subject which may be of interest:
This Car Runs On Code - an article from Discovery.com
The most popular programming language for automotive ECUs (electronic control unit) that implement hard real-time applications in power train or chassis control is by far C. The software is usually implemented on top of automotive-specific operating systems according to OSEK or AUTOSAR.
In devices dedicated to infotainment you might find other languages or even mainstream operating systems.
OBD-II is just a subset of information collected in a typical car because OBD-II is mostly targeting the engine. There are also tons of diagnostic data collected for other applications, e.g. for comfort functions.
CAN is the "classical" popular bus interface but recently standards with more bandwidth (e.g. Flexray) are growing momentum especially for safety-critical software. For some purpose even the classical Ethernet is used.
I'd post some hyperlinks but SO's reputation system does not allow this ...
Use of C is so widespread in the auto industry that an industry body has come up with a custom set of standards for it - Misra C.
Misra C, in a safety critical system, is practically a different language from normal C - no function pointers, no memory allocation, pretty much no use of C-specific language features.
Essentially, it is Ada with a C syntax.