Automotive Data Solutions (ADS) will reveal at KnowledgeFest next week its new RR2 interface, marking the first update in six years to the RR, which allows aftermarket car radios to retain factory technology such as Ford SYNC and GM Onstar features.
The new RR2 has the ability to work with 2018 and newer vehicles with a gateway at the OBD2, including Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.
It will have an additional CAN controller and CAN transceivers, for a total of 3 controllers and 5 transceivers. With newer cars implementing a gateway at the OBD2 connector, this is needed to enable the MRR2 to connect to three separate vehicle networks at the same time. ADS believes it is first to offer this capability.
The RR2 will be compatible with earlier aftermarket radios that worked with the original RR and it will work with all existing T-harnesses.
It will be able to be flashed from a smartphone with the release of a Weblink Maestro app due in the first quarter of next year.
The ADS-MRR2 will also have a second UART and audio input to interface with the Escort radar detectors (see separate story) and to provide a path for the radar alerts to be handled by the MRR2 and sent through the radio to an existing speaker.
It will also have extra programmable outputs that can be used to activate things like a winch or a light bar from the car radio screen. (There’s no word yet on what car radio makers will support this feature). The extra programmable outputs (2-4 depending on the vehicle application) can also be used to provide analog outputs for advanced driver safety products.
Pricing on the RR2 has not yet been determined.
The original Maestro RR was launched in 2012 with limited coverage for Ford SYNC applications. As of 2018, it works with over 28 vehicle makes and more than 2,800 models from 1991 to date.
