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

• irock FM Modulator

• 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

• MR2 Car Puter

• MP3Car.com Forum is the best resource for car computer builders looking to talk shop