Wireless Car-puter Project
by DanielMarsh dmarsh@speakeasy.org
After talking with Casey Halverson about his project to build a wireless car computer system, I would occasionally ponder building something similar into my Chrystler Cirrus. I began to day-dream about what I would want in a car computer system. I started writing a design document, making some sketches and researching components. Given the state of the economy, I recently found myself with too much time and not enough money. I started putting what money I could spare (I cut out hamburgers and movies) into a car-puter jar. After a few months, I finally had enough money to begin buying parts. Once everything arrived and substantially bench tested, I finally resolved to start installation. After several weeks of putzing around in my spare time, I have a system that fullfills the bulk of my needs, including the following:
Present
- Playback of a wide variety of audio/video formats
- Custom interface software that can be easily navigated via a few keys or a touchscreen
- GPS Mapping with voice prompting
- 802.11b wireless
- Small, backlit interface devices
- Fast boot time (optimized version of W2K)
- Remote administration and file transfer
- Low power
- Silent running
- All components/wires mounted neatly without obstructing view, passenger movement, etc.
- Noise tolerant voice recognition system for common functions
Future
In the future I plan to add the following:
- Wireless Public AP in car hooked up to roof mounted omni with internet uplink via t-mobile or ATT.
- In dash mounting of lighted control switches and knobs
- Better head unit with auxilary RCA inputs instead of RF modulator.
- Wireless Joystick in stearing wheel, for use with console game system emulators like MAME (when parked!)
- Simplified power chain via an Opus Solution DC-DC power supply
- Automatic bootup and safe shutdown tied into ignition also via Opus power supply
- High resolution 16:9 touchscreen, likely a Xenarc unit
- TV Tuner
- Near/Far Infrared imaging system like those used on high end Cadillac Deville's
- NMEA compatible GPS and audible direction prompting
- Slimline DVD drive mounted in the dash
- Bigger, faster notebook HDD (7200 RPM, 30+ GB) and better shock proofing
- Netstumbler compatible 802.11g wireless adapter with external antenna
- Engine diagnostic information via OBDII
- Quick disconnects for LCD and main processing units
Works in Progress
To see what I have been working on lately, checkout my CarputerBlog.
The Hardware
- Emerson MT-1562 LCD Display
- Hulapoint backlit, industrial strenght micro-keyboard
- Cirque Easy Cat Touchpad
- 3x ball and armature mounts
- 150 Watt continuous invertor
- tiny ATX power supply out of an emachines desktop
- 1 orange tupperware container, heavily modified
- Via Epia motherboard (17 centimeters on a side!) with 800 MHZ processor
- 256 MB of PC133 ram
- 6 GB IBM notebook HDD
- Linksys WUSB11 802.11b adapter
- Lots of switches and LEDS
- Misc. wires
The Software
- W2K professional, seriously optimized and interface customized
Auto-play with custom skin
- Sony Skymap 2000
- Streets and Trips 2004
- Winamp with full-screen skin
- BSplayer
Voice Commander from http://thisstrife.com/carproject/
- Talisman Desktop Environment
- Misc utilities and typical desktop programs
Pictures
- Foam packing to dampen road vibration, which can easily destroy laptop hard drives
Main processing unit. Has a clear plexiglass case for easy cable hookup. Fits under passenger side seat 
Linksys WUSB11 attached to back of front passenger seat. 
Interface
- Startup screen of my music and video playback software. Has a custom skin showing my car (though different paint scheme)
Song/Video Selection Screen. Supports nested folders. 
Music playback screen. Can't show video playback as I can't do a screencap of the video overlay. 
Similar Projects
CaseyHalverson has a page about his car computer at http://www.maokhian.com/l300/computer/
Peter Bridger has an often updated page about his project at http://www.thisstrife.com/carproject/index_chapter_4.asp
Mini-ITX is a great resource on tiny motherboards and custom case projects
Vauxhall Vectra Car Puter has a great custom interface and near seamless integration into the car
MP3Car.com Forum is the best resource for car computer builders looking to talk shop
