What is an EDR?
EDR is an acronym for event data recorder, more commonly referred to as a “black box.” An event data recorder or “black box” is any electronic module within a vehicle which has the capability to record vehicle data during an event. In accident analysis and investigation, the event is a crash.
In passenger vehicles, the physical EDR can be the airbag computer, the powertrain control module, the active safety system module, the forward camera module or even the infotainment system. These modules can have the ability to record a wide variety of data under specific triggering conditions.
History
Since the 1990’s certain passenger vehicles have had the capability to save vehicle data in the event of a crash. GM is generally regarded as the first to implement EDR technologies in passenger vehicles. With the Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) tool, event data could be downloaded by investigators to be analyzed following a crash.
Slowly, over the past 30 years, more automotive manufacturers began to implement EDR capabilities in their vehicles. Until 2013, the Bosch CDR tool was the only commercially available method to access and download the data.
Bosch CDR
Bosch’s tool for accessing and downloading crash data is called Crash Data Retrieval (CDR). The tool consists of constantly updated software programs and the vehicle communication interface modules. The software / hardware combination is used to communicate with the vehicle’s EDR modules.
Assuming the vehicle’s electrical system is intact, and the vehicle can be repowered, the data can be obtained by plugging the CDR tool into the vehicle’s OBDII, or diagnostic port. In the event that the vehicle’s electrical system is compromised, the data can be accessed by plugging the CDR tool directly to the EDR module. Direct-to-module downloads require specialized cables, specific to the make and model of the vehicle.
Krenz Engineering holds updated licenses for the Bosch CDR software and maintains an updated library of direct-to-module cables to image / download all CDR-compatible vehicles. A list of CDR-compatible manufacturers can be found above.
Hyundai Motors EDR
Following the trend in the automotive industry, Hyundai Motors began implementing EDRs in their Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles starting late 2012. To access and download data from Hyundai Motors vehicles, a manufacturer-specific hardware / software tool is required. Similar to Bosch CDR, the data can be extracted via the diagnostic port or direct to module with the appropriate cable.
Krenz Engineering holds updated licenses for all Hyundai Motors EDR software applications and maintains an updated library of vehicle communication interface modules and direct-to-module cables.
Tesla EDR
Similar to Hyundai Motors, Tesla has also developed their own EDR software for accessing and downloading event data recorded onboard their vehicles.
Krenz Engineering maintains a library of all Tesla cables and modules required to access Tesla EDR.
Toyota GTS+ EDR
While Toyota vehicles are also covered by Bosch Crash Data Retrieval, additional data can be extracted from some 2013 and newer Toyota vehicles. The additional data is available through Toyota’s Global Techstream Plus (GTS+) software.
Krenz Engineering holds a software license for Toyota GTS+ and has the appropriate modules to access the data.
Please contact us with any questions regarding compatibility. EDR data is extremely useful in accident reconstruction and downloading the data should be seriously considered for any accident involving a covered vehicle.