In Car Computer
Discussion
Just thought I would give you guys an update on the In Car Computer that I am putting together. Gave it a slight test run over the weekend, and everything seems to be working well.
What's done so far :
- Navigation Software (Free software so even better) and seems to work extremely well. Just have to get into the habit of trusting it's judgement. Currently named "Bitch", cause she is always right.
- Computer Interface. Touch screen works extremely well. Waiting for mounting plates to come from Australia when a mate flies in on the weekend, so guess that I am going to be up to my guts in wiring. Built a Monaro skin (look and feel), needs quiet a bit more work, but at the moment it will do. Going to make a few other ones as well when I get bored. What is built into the interface is, Digital TV and Digital Radio (card arrives on Friday), MP3 player, Movie player, and Navigation Software.
What's planned for the next few weeks.
- How to hook it up to the current stereo in the car. Might have to replace stereo unit and put in another one that has line in. Also have to figure out how to work the volume and controls from the buttons on the steering wheel.
- Possibly building a computer for sole use in the car. Initially was going to go down the laptop route, but could become a pain to put in and out all the time. Have bought 12V to 240V converter to charge laptop initially, but could also power small onboard computer.
Bigger Plan
- In car camera to record when someone is close to vehicle.
- Wireless connection in my house, so can upload and download music and Triple J (Australian Radio Station) to the car from just parking the car outside the house.
- Put in Wi-Fi, so that it can be connected to the internet and send information back to website of travel articles on my website while on the road.
- Hook into computer management system.
- Further develop interface to record where the car has gone for Tax records.
What's done so far :
- Navigation Software (Free software so even better) and seems to work extremely well. Just have to get into the habit of trusting it's judgement. Currently named "Bitch", cause she is always right.
- Computer Interface. Touch screen works extremely well. Waiting for mounting plates to come from Australia when a mate flies in on the weekend, so guess that I am going to be up to my guts in wiring. Built a Monaro skin (look and feel), needs quiet a bit more work, but at the moment it will do. Going to make a few other ones as well when I get bored. What is built into the interface is, Digital TV and Digital Radio (card arrives on Friday), MP3 player, Movie player, and Navigation Software.
What's planned for the next few weeks.
- How to hook it up to the current stereo in the car. Might have to replace stereo unit and put in another one that has line in. Also have to figure out how to work the volume and controls from the buttons on the steering wheel.
- Possibly building a computer for sole use in the car. Initially was going to go down the laptop route, but could become a pain to put in and out all the time. Have bought 12V to 240V converter to charge laptop initially, but could also power small onboard computer.
Bigger Plan
- In car camera to record when someone is close to vehicle.
- Wireless connection in my house, so can upload and download music and Triple J (Australian Radio Station) to the car from just parking the car outside the house.
- Put in Wi-Fi, so that it can be connected to the internet and send information back to website of travel articles on my website while on the road.
- Hook into computer management system.
- Further develop interface to record where the car has gone for Tax records.
Excellent, somebody who talks my language. As a supercomputer (and smaller) systems engineer I might be able to offer some assistance with the HW & SW if you need/want it.
I do hope you use *UNIX rather than M$. Wouldn't want you to suffer a BSOD whilst hurtling down the M27
I can write you any applications in most languages and can help with the graphics side of things as well. So if you let me have your current Monaro skin I'd love to play around with new ones.
In terms of building a purpose built computer for the car, I have lots of old x86 based computer systems lying around here. I should be able to lay my hands on some SPARC based stuff as well. I'm sure we could come up with something. Alternatively, there's some great new HW out there that might be better. Have you thought about using one of those USB Solid State Pens instead of a HDD to run the OS & store data. That way there's no risk of the heads crashing. Of course you're limited with the size of a USB pen Vs a HDD, but hey. I was going to test it this week, but need to buy a USB pen first.
Excellent feature with the Wi-Fi. The tests I've done with a mates laptop & a NetGear 108Mbps card was that in populated areas (and some semi-rural) we were able to get continuous Internet access by hopping between open networks. I see Netgear have just launched a "Pre-N Wireless PC Card" which gives "8x the wireless coverage and speed than standard 802.11g." Haven't tried this one yet but sounds great.
I'd also be interested in helping you write the bespoke SW & GUI to link in to the engine management system. I was tempted to buy a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R VSpec as it's got an RS-232 port specifically for this purpose, but I bought the Holden instead. The LCD in the centre console of the Skyline is very interesting as it displays lots of useful info whilst driving. Should be possible to do something similar for the Holden.
You've got my mind pumping with ideas now. Thanks.
Have you thought about applying voice activation to the cars systems? No requirement for the touch sensitive screen then. It's much safer than letting your wife or kids play around and touch buttons they should not be fiddling with. There's a lot of good SW out there, but it's not that difficult to write one. On the theme of Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence there's a whole bunch of things you can do. You could think about allowing the car to talk back. That way you could have a conversation with the computer if you get bored on long journeys. Again not difficult to do and completely geeky. My degree in "Applied Computer Science & Cybernetics" could be useful to you.
If you need any help or would like to bouce some ideas off a fellow computer enthusiast drop me a line.
I do hope you use *UNIX rather than M$. Wouldn't want you to suffer a BSOD whilst hurtling down the M27
I can write you any applications in most languages and can help with the graphics side of things as well. So if you let me have your current Monaro skin I'd love to play around with new ones.
In terms of building a purpose built computer for the car, I have lots of old x86 based computer systems lying around here. I should be able to lay my hands on some SPARC based stuff as well. I'm sure we could come up with something. Alternatively, there's some great new HW out there that might be better. Have you thought about using one of those USB Solid State Pens instead of a HDD to run the OS & store data. That way there's no risk of the heads crashing. Of course you're limited with the size of a USB pen Vs a HDD, but hey. I was going to test it this week, but need to buy a USB pen first.
Excellent feature with the Wi-Fi. The tests I've done with a mates laptop & a NetGear 108Mbps card was that in populated areas (and some semi-rural) we were able to get continuous Internet access by hopping between open networks. I see Netgear have just launched a "Pre-N Wireless PC Card" which gives "8x the wireless coverage and speed than standard 802.11g." Haven't tried this one yet but sounds great.
I'd also be interested in helping you write the bespoke SW & GUI to link in to the engine management system. I was tempted to buy a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R VSpec as it's got an RS-232 port specifically for this purpose, but I bought the Holden instead. The LCD in the centre console of the Skyline is very interesting as it displays lots of useful info whilst driving. Should be possible to do something similar for the Holden.
You've got my mind pumping with ideas now. Thanks.
Have you thought about applying voice activation to the cars systems? No requirement for the touch sensitive screen then. It's much safer than letting your wife or kids play around and touch buttons they should not be fiddling with. There's a lot of good SW out there, but it's not that difficult to write one. On the theme of Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence there's a whole bunch of things you can do. You could think about allowing the car to talk back. That way you could have a conversation with the computer if you get bored on long journeys. Again not difficult to do and completely geeky. My degree in "Applied Computer Science & Cybernetics" could be useful to you.
If you need any help or would like to bouce some ideas off a fellow computer enthusiast drop me a line.
Umm, yeah, would love to build it on a *UNIX based system. I'm a AIX sys admin, so not so happy running it on M$, but, can't find any decent nav software on Linux. Plus the app I am using was quick and dirty and got me there quickly.
The screen captures of what I have at the moment, (some need to be tinkered a little bit).
http://raggyman.myphotos.cc/screen1.jpg
http://raggyman.myphotos.cc/screen2.jpg
http://raggyman.myphotos.cc/screen3.jpg
My main aim to to make it as good, and as cheap as possible, (yeah, ok, I'm a cheapscate). Bought a laptop for work purposes, but don't really like the idea of leaving my 1000 quid laptop in the car.
Forgot to put in there, about the next and voice commands for the mp3 player. Would be good to change the navigation software as well, when you miss the turn, to go off like your Mrs would if she was sitting next to you. Mind you, it is a pleasant change, as "blob" automatically says "re-routing". Also wanted to put on startup a voice activated login, and something similar to Kit, but in a sexy chicks voice. Was going to play around with doing video on the front, where it is either a computer generated girl, or even better a real one saying welcome to the car, etc, and also to help to fancy up the interface. Could do alot of things..
Just think that it will be a continuing project. The beauty of it would be to get the base system together.
Anyhow, yeah, putting all this together has definitely keep me busy while I was waiting for my car to turn up. I'm in Portsmouth, and Hampshire ain't that big when you drive a commodore, so let me know what you are up to on a weekend, and can drop over.
Jace
07950176689
The screen captures of what I have at the moment, (some need to be tinkered a little bit).
http://raggyman.myphotos.cc/screen1.jpg
http://raggyman.myphotos.cc/screen2.jpg
http://raggyman.myphotos.cc/screen3.jpg
My main aim to to make it as good, and as cheap as possible, (yeah, ok, I'm a cheapscate). Bought a laptop for work purposes, but don't really like the idea of leaving my 1000 quid laptop in the car.
Forgot to put in there, about the next and voice commands for the mp3 player. Would be good to change the navigation software as well, when you miss the turn, to go off like your Mrs would if she was sitting next to you. Mind you, it is a pleasant change, as "blob" automatically says "re-routing". Also wanted to put on startup a voice activated login, and something similar to Kit, but in a sexy chicks voice. Was going to play around with doing video on the front, where it is either a computer generated girl, or even better a real one saying welcome to the car, etc, and also to help to fancy up the interface. Could do alot of things..
Just think that it will be a continuing project. The beauty of it would be to get the base system together. Anyhow, yeah, putting all this together has definitely keep me busy while I was waiting for my car to turn up. I'm in Portsmouth, and Hampshire ain't that big when you drive a commodore, so let me know what you are up to on a weekend, and can drop over.
Jace
07950176689
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