The Hibox Solution: Key Features

1. Low-Energy Consumption and Eco-Friendliness

   Hibox units are designed for energy efficiency, powered by batteries and renewable energy sources like solar panels. This eco-friendly design reduces environmental impact and allows the units to function independently of conventional power grids. Such capabilities are particularly useful in remote locations or areas with limited access to electricity, ensuring consistent operation regardless of external power availability.

2. Contactless Operation 

   Hibox units offer a fully contactless user experience, controlled via mobile devices. This technology eliminates the need for physical interaction with the units, enhancing convenience and user experience. It is particularly advantageous in high-traffic public spaces, where ease and speed of operation is key.

3. Flexibility and Versatility

   The modular design of Hibox units allows them to be used either individually or as part of larger systems, making them adaptable to a wide range of settings. This flexibility in deployment means they can be installed in various environments, from urban railway stations to rural Airbnb properties, with minimal infrastructure requirements. This versatility ensures that Hibox units can meet diverse user needs and site-specific conditions.

Technological Innovations Implemented in Hibox

Hardware and Energy Management

The Hibox hardware was meticulously designed, incorporating a custom PCB (Printed Circuit Board) based on the Silicon Labs BGM220P microcontroller family. This choice ensures optimal performance and low energy consumption, which is crucial for devices that rely on battery and solar power. The hardware also supports low-energy of short-range wireless communication , allowing for efficient and secure remote operation.

The Hibox project integrates advanced technologies to deliver a secure, efficient, and user-friendly system:

• Security and Communication: We utilized AES128 encryption for secure data transmission, with keys stored in a Secure Element, ensuring robust protection against unauthorized access. The system features low-energy of short-range wireless communicationfor efficient mobile connectivity, facilitated by the BGM220P SoC with Micrium OS (Gecko SDK). This setup allows the Hibox units to communicate seamlessly with mobile applications through the GATT service, ensuring smooth user interactions.
• Real-Time Operation and Backend Integration: FreeRTOS manages the real-time operations of the Hibox units, coordinating processes like sensor data handling and lock control. The backend is supported by Google Firebase, providing cloud storage and real-time data synchronization, crucial for maintaining up-to-date user and system information. The HTTP REST API enables reliable communication between the mobile application and the backend server.
• Hardware and Power Solutions: The Hibox units are powered by durable gel batteries, supplemented by solar panels for sustainable energy use. Additional hardware components, such as the GSM module SIM7020E, enable low-power, wide-area connectivity for remote monitoring and control. The system’s integration with SPI/I2C and UART protocols facilitates efficient communication with sensors and peripheral devices, ensuring comprehensive environmental monitoring and hardware control.

This combination of technologies ensures that Hibox provides a highly secure, reliable, and multifunctional solution, showcasing our expertise in developing advanced technological systems.

Software and Data Management

The software backbone of Hibox includes firmware developed on the FreeRTOS operating system, ensuring rapid response times and reliable performance. The system architecture incorporates modern communication protocols like HTTP(S), MQTT, and SNMP, which are crucial for secure data exchange and remote monitoring.

The cloud-based infrastructure of Hibox leverages scalable solutions, with a backend built using Node.js and the Nest.js framework. The use of PostgreSQL databases, coupled with data replication, ensures data integrity and security. The frontend is crafted with Angular, providing a responsive and user-friendly interface for managing storage units.

The Hibox project is a testament to our expertise in deploying advanced technology solutions. Here are the key innovations and technologies we implemented:

• Sustainable Energy Solutions: We equipped Hibox units with solar panels and battery storage, ensuring they operate efficiently without relying on external power sources. The solar panels can adjust their orientation to maximize energy capture.
• Environmental Monitoring: Each Hibox unit features an integrated meteorological station and air quality sensors, providing real-time data on environmental conditions.
• User-Friendly Mobile Application: Our custom mobile app enables users to interact with Hibox units contactlessly. The app supports functionalities like box reservation, access management, and tracking delivery history, all while offering a seamless user experience.
• Data Security: We implemented asymmetric encryption to protect data transmitted between devices and Hibox units, ensuring user privacy and transaction security.
• Robust Infrastructure: The backend infrastructure, featuring secure servers and encrypted data storage, supports the reliable operation of Hibox units. We also integrated a flexible payment processing system, facilitating easy and secure transactions.

These technologies and features showcase our ability to develop cutting-edge devices that fulfill all your requirements and are future-proof.

Testing

At Hibox, our testing strategy is a blend of manual and automated testing, with a strong focus on automation for efficiency and precision. We use manual testing for initial assessments, often leveraging tools like Postman to send REST API requests and validate system security, such as checking for unauthorized access.

Our automated testing covers a wide range of systems, from embedded devices using C, tested with Python and PyTest, to software applications hosted on platforms like AWS. Key tools include:

• PyTest for firmware and device testing via REST APIs and SNMP protocols.
• Jest (JavaScript/TypeScript) for backend and frontend software validation.
• Cypress for automated UI testing and interaction validation.

All tests are automated via GitLab CI, ensuring continuous integration and regression testing, allowing us to efficiently handle high-performance simulations and deliver reliable systems.