Prototype Car PC

[manikahuja]

Yes the flush Mounting would be custom job. I am working on preparing readymade panels for the most common cars and then it would be a snap to fit.

Regarding the OS and Applications, it runs a Custom Linux with the latest kernel and everything including the frontend is installed in the 128MB of USB. It also included the Maps of one City.

The frontend specifically is again custom software developed by me and is similar to what is available from other sources. It however does not utilize any existing frontends.

The Screen is a stand alone Dash mounted. Please see the links I sent earlier for the pictures of the components and the Car PC.


Manik

[speed0mania]

but when do you plan to market this ?? how about giving t-bhpians special discounts during testing stages ;-) !! hehe , also if you need any asisstance i can try and help ! (mechanics is my area of expertise as i am a mech engg. student) also if you need any help on the electronics i can help you out as my dad is an electronics engg and runs authorised service centres for sony , aiwa , sony ericsson , etc.!! so i shall be happy to offer any help that is possible!!

[manikahuja]

Hi Speedomania,

Really appreciate your concern and thanks a lot for offering your help. I will definitely get in touch with you in case I require something. Now regarding "When" . Well like I told earlier I am finishing the software frontend part through which the entire system will be controlled. Right now it is all working but as standalone components.

This should take me atleast a month to get right and after that I need to do some field testing. My guess is that earliest it should be available by July End.

I know it is two months but I dont want to rush out a half baked product.

Thanks

Manik

[shldn]

custom benzels for different cars for mounting the lcd would be super slick.
fitting an os with your frontend and a city map on a 128 mb stick is impressive. but then your frontend should have pretty much everything covered incld obd & gps since you're runnin linux, cause these programmes are more freely available under windows.
btwn what car are you instaling it into for your ' field testing'
please post pics as and when you have an update. its different seeing an actual install vs seening the components by themselves...

[manikahuja]

Hi Shldn,

My initial testing was done in a Maruti Omni as I wanted to check the ruggedness (The Omni has the worst suspension , I will definitely post pictures of the setup soon. Dont want to spoli the fun by putting up pictures of something that does not look neat.


The interface will have a touchscreen operated frontend that will have option to run the GPS, Media Player, OBDII etc. I am taking complete care of the fact to make it fast and slick.

Really appreciate all your concerns, I will not dissapoint you all.

Thanks

Manik

[deepug]

Manik

Some things that you should keep in mind , IMO, is the fit and finish should be top notch , since at least initially the target segment will be the above average income group and people who travel extensively in which case having multiple maps and greater coverage can be a USP. The success of such a product is in convincing the people that this is a gadget that you cannot do without and it's not a luxury.

All the best

Deepu

[shldn]

well about your 'custom' power supply, what exactly is it ? any pics

[Technocrat]

Manik,

Great project that you have undertaken & I am sure many of us would be keen to know how it turns out.

All the best for your efforts mate

[manikahuja]

Hi All,

The power supply is basically a SMPS based unit that draws power from the car's battery. It is connected to both the Main Battery Positive and the ACC line.

When the ACC line is switched on it will power on the Computer automatically, however when you switch off the car comletely the computer keeps running for a fixed amount of time after which the power supply signals the computer to go in hibernation mode or switch off depending on your setting. This is typically the scenario when you switch off the car and lock it and walk away.

However many times we just sit in the car e.g. on a red light when the engine is off , however this time the ACC position is still on. In this scenario the Computer remains fully powered and you can keep listening to music etc.


Now the difficult part, when you start your car, depending on your battery condition and the load the started motor takes to turn the potential of the battery drops to well below the 12V level. In certain cases I have seen it going doing to upto 9 volts. However the computer is sensitive to even small changes in voltage and would reboot in such a situation. To avoid this the SMSs is designed to withstand power variation from 7 volts upto 16 Volts or even higher. The objective being to keep the computer running flawlessly.

All this has been designed and made strictly according to internationally accepted SMPS power standards and I have tested this unit extensively.

So basically you dont need to worry about switching on the computer or switching it off. It is all handled automatically much like a Car Stereo. The time after which you need the computer to turn off automatically can also be tuned according to your preference.

Finally the Power supply has upto 120 W of power avaialble to power the commonly used peripherals like CD Drives, Hard Disks etc without any issues and comes with standard Power connectors that fit directly onto the computer motherboard.


Hope this clarifies the working of the Power Supply.



Thanks

Manik

[shldn]

ok thats nice, whats the rating on the different rails ? such as 5v@5a....
just in case anyone wants to use your psu with a different setup