The PC interface cable plugs into this socket (arrowed) and connects the CarChip to the PC's USB port. Dedicated software is used to analyse and display the data.

How here’s a brilliant dev-ice – it plugs into your car’s standard On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port and then proceeds to log car data up to a maximum of 300 hours running. You can log parameters like road speed, RPM, oxygen sensor output and the airflow meter signal. Then you unplug the device from the car and connect it to your PC where you can easily graph and analyse the information, including quickly highlighting high acceleration and braking rates, maximum speeds and so on.

It’s ideal for someone who wants to monitor how their car is being driven by others (parents of teenage drivers, anyone?) or to check on the health of engine management sensors. And talking about the latter, the device will also record fault codes and can then be used to clear them!