AI-Enabled ECU with Built-In OBD

AI-Enabled ECU with Built-In OBD, Telematics & Sustainability Focus

What is an ECU in automotive

Smarter Control with Built-In Diagnostics

At Things Alive, our ECU development goes beyond building control units — we focus on crafting solutions that power smarter, safer, and more connected vehicles. With a strong foundation in diagnostics and embedded hardware, we are now positioning ECU development as a core offering, designed specifically for OEMs looking for intelligent, custom-fit & scalable platforms that support long-term sustainability goals.

We’ve already delivered over 2000+ OBD diagnostic tools for OEMs, which gives us a strong advantage in understanding how vehicles behave, fail, and perform under real-world conditions. Now, we are combining that diagnostic intelligence into our next-generation ECUs — creating a platform that offers both control and insight to support efficiency, emissions control, and operational longevity.

Real Enhancements: Built with Purpose

Our ECUs are designed using STM32 microcontrollers for software and Altium-based board design for compact, high-performance hardware. Each ECU is crafted to meet automotive-grade reliability and performance standards.

What makes our ECUs stand apart is the integration of onboard diagnostics (OBD)  functionality. This allows OEMs to:

  • Reduce the need for separate diagnostic modules
  • Monitor vehicle health continuously through one intelligent unit
  • Enable quicker fault detection and easier servicing
  • Improve overall system efficiency and reduce wiring complexity
  • Prepare for future OTA diagnostics and predictive maintenance workflows

All of this directly supports reduced downtime, lower emissions, and resource optimization — making vehicle platforms more sustainable and future-ready.

Real Projects: From Design to Deployment

AI-enabled ECU with fleet telematics

Our journey into full ECU development is backed by hands-on project experience. We've delivered embedded systems that power:

  • Motor Control Units (MCU)
  • Battery Management Systems (BMS)
  • Infotainment & Display Panels
  • Instrument Clusters
  • Telematics Control Units (TCU)
  • Vehicle Gateways and Communication Nodes

Each solution is tailored to the specific use case, with firmware tuned for performance, CAN-based communication for seamless integration, and robust validation for field deployment. Whether you’re building an ICE-powered commercial fleet or an electric off-highway vehicle, we’re ready to support the full lifecycle — with sustainability and efficiency built-in.

Why Sustainability Matters to ECU Design

Today’s automotive leaders are aligning every system — from powertrain to software — with their net-zero and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals. Our ECU platform supports this vision by:

  • Reducing energy consumption with intelligent processing at the edge
  • Enabling predictive maintenance to extend vehicle life and reduce waste
  • Offering real-time emissions and fuel monitoring to ensure compliance
  • Supporting smart data logging for greener fleet and resource optimization
  • Allowing OTA updates to reduce physical service visits and carbon footprint

Our AI + IoT-enabled ECU isn’t just smarter — it’s designed to help OEMs build cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable mobility platforms.

Vehicle ECU with predictive diagnostics

Long-Term Collaboration for OEMs

IoT in automotive with ECU control unit

At Things Alive, we don’t just build and hand over ECUs — we work as your long-term embedded electronics partner. We offer:

  • Custom ECU development from scratch
  • Support across product iterations and platform changes
  • Ongoing firmware updates and feature enhancements
  • Diagnostic tools, data logging, and remote monitoring capability
  • Consultation on integration, CAN protocols, and safety validation

Our goal is to build trust, not just products — helping OEMs reduce time-to-market, minimize environmental impact, and innovate confidently with a partner they can rely on.

Real Impact: How We’re Different

Here’s what makes our ECU offering truly unique:

  • Custom-developed using STM32 + Altium, fully optimized for embedded control
  • OBD integration inside the ECU for smarter diagnostics and simplified vehicle architecture
  • Designed for CAN communication, ready for standard and proprietary protocols
  • Built with ISO 26262-aligned development processes for functional safety
  • Scalable and modular — fit for both low-power and high-performance applications
  • Supported by a team experienced in delivering real projects, not just prototypes
  • Focused on driving sustainability through smarter design and longer lifecycle support
We’re not just keeping up with the future of vehicle electronics — we’re helping shape it.

Partner With Us to Drive Innovation & Sustainability

If you’re an OEM looking for a differentiated ECU partner who understands both control and diagnostics — and who helps you align with global sustainability goals
— we’re ready to collaborate.

Start Your Project