[3ball]

Hi guys!

I've been working on this project for over a year now, and I've finally felt comfortable enough to announce my specs.

I have managed to put a PC (converted from an ASUS eee 901 netbook) as an alternate input on the video display. It allows normal stock data plus tomtom/XM/bluetooth/internet on the go, with a touchscreen overlay. It's cost me about $2500 in test parts, but I figure the actual cost to be ~$500 in parts for a good model with my setup. I'm working on an open-source XML interface now based on ubuntu linux that can just be installed to the hardware with the interface/touchscreen/gps package pre-configured. I've got it to tether internet with my iphone, so I can charge/play music from it.

I chose a cheap netbook to assist me in power management and the EEE is the most ubiquitous model. I'm real sketchy when it comes to linking into the existing power, so I set the power for the laptop to be tied into the CDC circuit. I chose the CDC since I installed a m0bridge ipod unit a while back, and because familiar with the wiring/power settings on that loop. I have the laptop's AC charger set to an inverter that connects to the DC supply during engine-on phase. I have the netbook set to put itself to hibernate after 2 minutes. That puts the netbook in a quickly bootable state and allows it to stay more or less permanently on given I drive the car at least once a week.

I have used a resistive TFT screen overlay for a touchscreen. I'm still struggling with this though; I went through several types to find some that don't suck. I'm still looking. I'd prefer a capacitive touchscreen, but they are still fairly new tech and WAY expensive for this project (would probably double the cost). I'm tempted to wait and see about gesture commands and a pinhole webcam, but that would take to **** long to be ready.

I'm using two different physical EEEs. One is set with XP (there's a LOT of premade interfaces for xp!), the other is my linux test ride. I WANT to go all linux, but I also want to take advantage of the Durametric tools. If only they'd program in anything but .NET!

I'm not going into detail about the linux setups just yet, I manage to break them constantly. As soon as I have a stable release, I'll sourceforge a copy if anyone is interested. Yes, it will be entirely open source. I'm hoping I can learn enough to set it up as a normal update that can be pulled easily, but that's WAY down my list. I'm looking at doing bluetooth when possible, so I can just get in the vehicle and not worry about it. Enabling the wifi tether burns the battery if you leave it on, and requires manual intervention to enable/disable. I'm not a good enough reverse engineer to script that function without a bluetooth hook, so no bluetooth on the v2 linux setup.

So far, Both versions have stable releases, but I'm a little OCD about presentation. I'm still iffy on the XP one (the response is somewhat laggy, but I'm still working on it), but unless Durametric decides to port to a more OS-friendly language, I'm going to maintain a windows version. The linux version is not bad, and performance is acceptable.

XP install price (in USD): $566
EEE 900: $165
StreetDeck 2.0: $99
LCD TFT overlay+usb interface: $45
XP license: varies, but I'd estimate $100 depending on your method. (I use TechNet myself)
LCD VGA aux tap: $88
Earthmate GPS BT-20 with Street Atlas USA 2009 PLUS: $69

Linux install price: $397
EEE 900: $165
LCD VGA aux tap: $88
LCD TFT overlay+usb interface: $45
GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS Receiver: $39
Bluetooth OBD2: $60

XP:
itunes (allows iphone tethering, fair music play)
Durametric enthusiast v1
StreetDeck (interface, media player, etc)
GPS: Street Atlas USA 2009 PLUS

Linux software packs:
Try 1: Ubuntu 8.04
http://icculus.org/obdgpslogger/ for GPS/OBD2 (no Durametric available for linux...)
jailbroken iphone bluetooth tether

Try 2: LinuxICE for interface, media, navigation
I prefer this setup, and will be using this for the linux version.
jailbroken iphone wifi tether


-----------------------

Next step: posting screenshots of the interface in action. I'm still working on it, but it's ugly. I will post a work log when I get to the point of a linux release candidate (ETA - September-November 09, next time I get enough time to make progress!)

[mudman2]

You failed to state the purpose of the project so back to EE classes for you

Kidding ;-)

3ball, on Jul 1 2009, 10:38 AM, said:

Hi guys!

I've been working on this project for over a year now, and I've finally felt comfortable enough to announce my specs.

I have managed to put a PC (converted from an ASUS eee 901 netbook) as an alternate input on the video display. It allows normal stock data plus tomtom/XM/bluetooth/internet on the go, with a touchscreen overlay. It's cost me about $2500 in test parts, but I figure the actual cost to be ~$500 in parts for a good model with my setup. I'm working on an open-source XML interface now based on ubuntu linux that can just be installed to the hardware with the interface/touchscreen/gps package pre-configured. I've got it to tether internet with my iphone, so I can charge/play music from it.

I chose a cheap netbook to assist me in power management and the EEE is the most ubiquitous model. I'm real sketchy when it comes to linking into the existing power, so I set the power for the laptop to be tied into the CDC circuit. I chose the CDC since I installed a m0bridge ipod unit a while back, and because familiar with the wiring/power settings on that loop. I have the laptop's AC charger set to an inverter that connects to the DC supply during engine-on phase. I have the netbook set to put itself to hibernate after 2 minutes. That puts the netbook in a quickly bootable state and allows it to stay more or less permanently on given I drive the car at least once a week.

I have used a resistive TFT screen overlay for a touchscreen. I'm still struggling with this though; I went through several types to find some that don't suck. I'm still looking. I'd prefer a capacitive touchscreen, but they are still fairly new tech and WAY expensive for this project (would probably double the cost). I'm tempted to wait and see about gesture commands and a pinhole webcam, but that would take to **** long to be ready.

I'm using two different physical EEEs. One is set with XP (there's a LOT of premade interfaces for xp!), the other is my linux test ride. I WANT to go all linux, but I also want to take advantage of the Durametric tools. If only they'd program in anything but .NET!

I'm not going into detail about the linux setups just yet, I manage to break them constantly. As soon as I have a stable release, I'll sourceforge a copy if anyone is interested. Yes, it will be entirely open source. I'm hoping I can learn enough to set it up as a normal update that can be pulled easily, but that's WAY down my list. I'm looking at doing bluetooth when possible, so I can just get in the vehicle and not worry about it. Enabling the wifi tether burns the battery if you leave it on, and requires manual intervention to enable/disable. I'm not a good enough reverse engineer to script that function without a bluetooth hook, so no bluetooth on the v2 linux setup.

So far, Both versions have stable releases, but I'm a little OCD about presentation. I'm still iffy on the XP one (the response is somewhat laggy, but I'm still working on it), but unless Durametric decides to port to a more OS-friendly language, I'm going to maintain a windows version. The linux version is not bad, and performance is acceptable.

XP install price (in USD): $566
EEE 900: $165
StreetDeck 2.0: $99
LCD TFT overlay+usb interface: $45
XP license: varies, but I'd estimate $100 depending on your method. (I use TechNet myself)
LCD VGA aux tap: $88
Earthmate GPS BT-20 with Street Atlas USA 2009 PLUS: $69

Linux install price: $397
EEE 900: $165
LCD VGA aux tap: $88
LCD TFT overlay+usb interface: $45
GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS Receiver: $39
Bluetooth OBD2: $60

XP:
itunes (allows iphone tethering, fair music play)
Durametric enthusiast v1
StreetDeck (interface, media player, etc)
GPS: Street Atlas USA 2009 PLUS

Linux software packs:
Try 1: Ubuntu 8.04
http://icculus.org/obdgpslogger/ for GPS/OBD2 (no Durametric available for linux...)
jailbroken iphone bluetooth tether

Try 2: LinuxICE for interface, media, navigation
I prefer this setup, and will be using this for the linux version.
jailbroken iphone wifi tether


-----------------------

Next step: posting screenshots of the interface in action. I'm still working on it, but it's ugly. I will post a work log when I get to the point of a linux release candidate (ETA - September-November 09, next time I get enough time to make progress!)

[jwest]

3ball, on Jul 1, 2009 - 10:38 AM, said:

Next step: posting screenshots of the interface in action. I'm still working on it, but it's ugly. I will post a work log when I get to the point of a linux release candidate (ETA - September-November 09, next time I get enough time to make progress!)

Would love to hear more and see some photos even if roughing it in still. I love in dash gadgetry but even the best stock tech so far leaves me wishing for much more. This sounds like a great solution.