I'm putting this in OT for now, as I don't intend for this to be a really technical discussion. Really just a thread for tossing around ideas about what could be done with an integrated computer system... and how to do it.
If we progress into a more technical realm, I'll move it to a more appropriate section.
Anyway, I keep thinking about how awesome it would be to integrate a fully functional computer system into a car.
Modern cars have much of what I'm thinking, but I want to take it even further.
Today, cars have "infotainment systems", capable of playing music, movies, displaying pictures, displaying feeds from one or more external cameras (backup camera, for example), and showing a number of readings from various sensors (temp, oil pressure, speed, rpm, tire pressure, etc...)
Many people build in-car computer systems that are really just cleverly mounted PCs. In-car, but not integrated.
What I'd like to do is find a way to effectively combine the two, ideally in a relatively cheap and easy fashion. Something that could be done by someone with little money to burn, and little custom computer experience.
So, with that being said, the ideas bouncing around my head at the moment are:
A Raspberry Pi as the main computer. Cheap, tiny, and powerful enough for most functions.
I'm curious to learn if a constant power source (like our clocks have) would be effective to keep the thing going without 1) damaging it, or 2) killing the car's battery. I don't think it would draw very much power, especially when it's not actively processing anything.
That could be tucked away under the dash somewhere. All inputs can be rerouted via extension cables to make a clean, neat access panel.
Next, a powered USB hub or two would probably be necessary. Also hardwired.
For a display, I'd like to have an in-dash touch screen display.
I'm doing some research to see if I could find a way to make this happen using an old iPhone or iPod Touch.
Additional input can be done via bluetooth keyboard.
An external SSD would work well for mass storage.
The things I'd like to see this thing do:
Basic PC functionality: MP3s, videos, emulators, web-browsing via wi-fi or phone tethering.
Audio control: I have no experience here.
Car data: Sensor info, etc... My Cadillac already displays much of this, so I could probably find out how to tap into that easily enough. The CB7, not so much. Best I could do with my current knowledge is run a Hulog from my P28 via USB.
Phone connectivity: Bluetooth integrated into the car's audio system.
Camera control: I'd like to have multiple small cameras running at all times, recording data continuously to the SSD.
Anyway, those are my ideas. At least those I could get down before I forgot what i was dreaming about as I began this thread!
I'm really just looking for more interesting ideas on what such a computer could be used for (adding to the list above), or clever solutions to make it happen.
If we progress into a more technical realm, I'll move it to a more appropriate section.
Anyway, I keep thinking about how awesome it would be to integrate a fully functional computer system into a car.
Modern cars have much of what I'm thinking, but I want to take it even further.
Today, cars have "infotainment systems", capable of playing music, movies, displaying pictures, displaying feeds from one or more external cameras (backup camera, for example), and showing a number of readings from various sensors (temp, oil pressure, speed, rpm, tire pressure, etc...)
Many people build in-car computer systems that are really just cleverly mounted PCs. In-car, but not integrated.
What I'd like to do is find a way to effectively combine the two, ideally in a relatively cheap and easy fashion. Something that could be done by someone with little money to burn, and little custom computer experience.
So, with that being said, the ideas bouncing around my head at the moment are:
A Raspberry Pi as the main computer. Cheap, tiny, and powerful enough for most functions.
I'm curious to learn if a constant power source (like our clocks have) would be effective to keep the thing going without 1) damaging it, or 2) killing the car's battery. I don't think it would draw very much power, especially when it's not actively processing anything.
That could be tucked away under the dash somewhere. All inputs can be rerouted via extension cables to make a clean, neat access panel.
Next, a powered USB hub or two would probably be necessary. Also hardwired.
For a display, I'd like to have an in-dash touch screen display.
I'm doing some research to see if I could find a way to make this happen using an old iPhone or iPod Touch.
Additional input can be done via bluetooth keyboard.
An external SSD would work well for mass storage.
The things I'd like to see this thing do:
Basic PC functionality: MP3s, videos, emulators, web-browsing via wi-fi or phone tethering.
Audio control: I have no experience here.
Car data: Sensor info, etc... My Cadillac already displays much of this, so I could probably find out how to tap into that easily enough. The CB7, not so much. Best I could do with my current knowledge is run a Hulog from my P28 via USB.
Phone connectivity: Bluetooth integrated into the car's audio system.
Camera control: I'd like to have multiple small cameras running at all times, recording data continuously to the SSD.
Anyway, those are my ideas. At least those I could get down before I forgot what i was dreaming about as I began this thread!
I'm really just looking for more interesting ideas on what such a computer could be used for (adding to the list above), or clever solutions to make it happen.
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