CAN bus is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer. It was originally developed by Bosch in the mid-1980s for automotive applications as a method to enable reliable and efficient communication between various in-vehicle systems without the need for excessive wiring.

The CAN bus protocol is widely used in automotive and industrial environments to facilitate communication among various electronic control units (ECUs), including engine management systems, active suspension, ABS, gear control, lighting control, air conditioning systems, and many more. It is also used in non-automotive applications such as elevators, medical equipment, and in production lines, showcasing its versatility.

A key feature of CAN bus is its high resistance to interference and its ability to function over long cable lengths, making it highly reliable in environments with high electromagnetic interference. Moreover, the CAN bus is known for its"multi-master" capability where any device on the network can send a message when the bus is free, ensuring all nodes can be transmitters and receivers, which enhances the flexibility and scalability of networks.

CAN bus systems use a message-based protocol and do not require a host computer to manage communications, which simplifies network setup and reduces costs. Messages are prioritized by ID, ensuring that critical communications take precedence over less important data. This priority system ensures that essential functions react quickly, an important factor in safety-critical systems like those found in vehicles.

The simplicity, durability, and cost-effectiveness of CAN bus make it a foundational technology in fields requiring reliable data exchange over physical mediums in real-time, contributing significantly to modern automation and control practices.