Special-purpose devices

Special-purpose devices are more expensive bespoke devices that provide a unique purpose. For example, there are man overboard devices that detect someone falling into the water—we are going to look at a defibrillator.

Mobile medical devices can include infusion devices that measure fluids that are given to patients in hospital. (See the following picture). Ambulances will carry life-support systems, such as defibrillators, that are used to save a person's life if they have just suffered from cardiac arrest. The defibrillators will have an SoC installed as it gives out instructions on how to use it, but if it detects a pulse, it will not send a charge:

Figure 4: Defibrillator

Some luxury vehicles have embedded systems that produce a wireless hotspot in the car so that when you are driving along, your passengers can connect to the internet. Others have the ability to carry out automatic self-parking. There have been many trials recently of self-driving cars; vendors,...