Hey guys,

I spend most of my day crunching code, and I was thinking, what functions would the dream carputer be able to do?

This is just a total pie in the sky dreamsheet for now. Then once we've got a whole bunch of ideas, I'd like to see what it takes to start implimenting them.

I figgured I'd start.

1.) tie into existing deck for mp3 playback

2.) movies, other multi-media

3.) web browsing

4.) ECU monitoring/management.

5.) GPS enabled nav system (tie into google maps? can you do this with lat and long? into google earth?)

6.) Wardriving (system should automaticly scan for wireless networks, and map them)
6.a) cracking. System should automatically crack wep keys if it's in an area long enough to collect enough packets)
6.b) this implies a wireless card with good, external antenna, promiscuous mode, etc.

7.) Radar monitoring.
Tie a radar detector into the system, and have it map everywhere we've seen speed trap activity. Pop up a little display to let you know if you're aproaching one of these areas.

8.) RC Car anyone?
For those of us stupid enough to get automatics (If you knew my commute, you'd almost understand, add that I drive myself to motorcycle races where broken ankles aren't that uncommon.... anyway, enough excuses) Setting up a few servos to the stearing, gearshift and brake shouldn't be that hard. Tie into the cruise system to deal with acceleration, and then create a simple interface to allow this to be controlled remotely. bonus points for a web interface with cam feedback. (obviously have a hard wired switch override for when your in the car to prevent any chance of someone getting past your htaccess controls)

9.) OEM look install.
This one seems the hardest point for me. Many of you have set up some really slick TV and computer installs, but in all of them that I've seen to date, the display doesn't look like the car was designed with that in mind (gee, I wonder why, yeah, I know, leave me alone :-p ) that being said, I'd really like to find the cleanest setup possible with a touch screen interface and either removing the stereo headunit and placing a very small display there, or doing something on the passenger side (without blocking the flow of the airbag deployment, because THAT could be bad.) or whatever. I'd love to see what you guys have done that I've not found in my brief time looking around on here.

10.) Internet access.
either cellmodem or one of the Wireless Access cards that work over cell frequencies most likely, with the option to go to an 802.11 network if one is available.


If I personally implement something, it will most likely be on linux with a web based control system written in Ajax/XUL and custom skinned firefox browser to display it (much like many kiosk systems) I'd probably do the back end in php or perl just because those are what I'm familiar with. Then simply run apache answering to local host only. Of course, if you're the type thats both willing to loan your car out, and likes screwing with people, this plus a webcam could be loads of fun to screw with whoever you loaned your car to (set it up to broadcast, and used dyndns to map to it, or have it upload info to a host somewhere on the net)

Anyway,

Other suggestions, thoughts? This is all just a dreamsheat, so come up with some wild stuff. knowing how to actually implement ANY of it is totally not required at this point =)

-- James

 

Have you been to www.mp3car.com?

List of uses link
Ideal Setups link
Nightvision/ HUD link
Linux Section link

other ideas:
Voice control
Hands free phone integration
Console emulator
Missle Launcher link

 

Interesting ideas. I really like the servovalve idea. Really wouldn't be too incredibly hard to do.
Did you know the F-18 can fly and land itself? Kind of reminded me of that..

 

wow i think this carputer would be pretty freaking beefy and too conjested and would take an expert user to figure out unless the interface was designed well enough. and cracking WEP codes..thats a lil illegal so i mean this would have to be strictly personal use and personally sold. Not to mention the price...but if u do it and i had the money i would buy it.
GOod luck

 

May as well tie into the car's brain and get odometer and fuel sonsumption. What every car should have is trip fuel consumption and estimated miles remaining on tank. why only GM and luxury cars have this I don't know. It is such an elemetnary and inexpensive thing to add.

You could also have a program for Sleepy or Drowzy Driver Mode. The carputer would randomly activate solenoids that fire and snap against the inside of body panels, send mild jolts of current through the driver's seat or randomly deploy the airbags to keep the driver awake.

Obviously that last one is a joke, but I'd pay to have it installed on some of my co-worker's cars.
!

 

Well, I think that by making the interface web based, anyone who knew a little html could then redo the interface however they wanted.

I think for me, the main concept would be something the passenger could use while we're driving, instead of something for the driver. I don't even use a cell phone when I'm driving if I can avoid it.

That being said, the mapping functions would probably be handy for a driver, so you use a really simplified interface for that, and double the size (or 1/2 the resolution, whatever) when you're doing that to keep it simple.

In reality you've got a front screen with 3 buttons. Map, Media, or Terminal.

both the media center and the mapping have been done in cars simply for some time. Then if you want to access anything else, it's presumed you're not doing this while driving, in which case you can navigate through the regular interfaces just like you would on your home pc.

Please, We give away the software I write at work, why on earth would I charge for something like this?

PS, I noticed you're from the black hole that is Simi Valley. Do you do that tuesday night deal?

-- James