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Originally Posted by knp wow.. awesome work Vimal. Waiting for video now and I will try something similar as I have been experimenting on this area for a while. |
Thanks! I will try to post the video today.
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Originally Posted by AtheK Brilliantly done, congratulations on such a neat setup, looks very professional. |
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by speedmunster Very neatly executed. But, where is the old head unit? |
Thanks! Old head-unit is right where it was. The phone is installed a few CMs infront of the old head-unit.
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Originally Posted by Ruchitya Looks neat! Although at that screen size and low placement, I hope you are using voice navigation more than looking at the actual map. You would have to take your eyes off the road quite a bit to see the map, w.r.t. where its placed right now.
I had a similar idea, but to implement driver monitoring using a phone (heart rate, drowsiness, etc.). Lack of Google APIs for the same is a hindrance though.
I'd love to know how you are reading the car's technical data as well, please? What other data have you been able to receive as of now? |
Thanks!
Yes, primarily voice navigation would be sufficient. The voice from google maps will interrupt any music that is playing and announce itself, which is something I like. I agree that looking at the maps while driving should be avoided, but this is more like a utility, which you setup before you start the drive. During driving, I would merely glance to see if I am on track or not. The location is OK because that's where the standard head-unit is placed in most cars.
Your idea is good, check if any of the sensors available for Arduino or Raspberry can be of use. What is the interface between the driver and the phone ?
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Originally Posted by StallionAmit Exceptional work my friend, this indeed is a gem of a work and i can just imagine the amount of satisfaction you will derive from this. |
Thanks! Satisfaction is the key takeaway from such projects.
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Originally Posted by nimit3105 Great setup, Mate. I would also recommend you to check out the "Automate" app for Android which is sort of a launcher that emulates the Android Auto layout. I use it quite a lot while driving for Maps/Music with the phone connected via Aux. |
Thanks! Yes I tried Automate, along with a bunch of other car-dock type of apps. Only thing that I did not like is the tabs to switch between apps is too small (the bottom row). My criteria was BIG buttons. UCCW saved the day, otherwise I would have had to write some custom launcher. Phew!
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Originally Posted by Chethan B G Very smart! Thanks for sharing.
You can actually have separate contact number for the car. That would be awesome.  |
Thanks!
Yes, it can have its own data connection and you could maybe whatsapp to your car. You could auto-lock and unlock the car like ZoomCar using this combination of Android-Arudino (requires some more work though)
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Originally Posted by a4anurag Excellent buddy. Hats off for all the learning and modification. Do post some day time pictures.
Answering calls would be great with this setup. |
Thanks! These are day-time pics only! Problem is that the windshield is always 100 times brighter, ill post some better pics later.
Answering calls would be awesome! But there is a major blocker in how Android implemented the bluetooth profiles. One phone cannot receive bluetooth audio from another phone. I am looking at ways to work around this limitation.
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Originally Posted by kvsingh13 That is very professional looking. Kudos to you for doing it all from scratch. It looks so fine. |
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Originally Posted by invidious After reading the first post I thought "Has to be some chap in Bangalore". I then checked the location  Excellent job - looks professionally done. You can probably spin this off as a business model with a plethora of older cars lacking modern HUs. |
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Originally Posted by GKMahajan Dear datvichrocks2,
"I am impressed" is an understatement!
You deserve full 5 stars!
Just a stupid question - is this really plug-and-play?
If yes, you should patent it and offer to end users!
I agree that you have most probably done this as a hobby, but still... just my two bits!
Girish Mahajan |
Thanks!
It is plug and play if I remove it from my car and put it in another Palio. Otherwise, only the phone (basically the apps on it), the arduino and the code on it can be considered plug and play. Depending on the car, the location of knobs and wire length and shape of the front-end will have to customized.
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Originally Posted by Petrolhead007 I am speechless, that's quite a professional install. I have installed Blaupunkt New Jersy on my Ford Fiesta 1.6 about a week back, I can tell with confidence that your install quality is much superior than mine, which was done at Sachin's Autoshop at Koramangala, supposed to be professionals. Congratulations for the new HU. |
Thank you!
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Originally Posted by dhanushs Wonderfully done!.. Please do post more information, if possible a steb by step instruction guide, so that fellow members can do the same. |
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Originally Posted by Visaster Wow, that is just pure awesome you could sync technology with old hardware.
I have my galaxy note docket into the sunglass holder of my CIAZ which is on the roof. connected via bluetooth, I can make use of calls, change song, increase volume.
It serves as a movie player when parked. Only problem is the sunglass holder when open blocks my rear view. I am presently looking for a 7inch tab with bluetooth connectivity and a good position in the car to fit.
Please explain your setup in detail. Thanks for sharing. |
Thanks! More info coming up
A 7 inch tab would be beautiful provided there is a proper place to install it.
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Originally Posted by rattanw This is truly excellent stuff. What makes it special is that you seem to have taken little or no help from professional auto shops.
I have been considering upgrading my Grand Vitara's stock unit. My main problem with GV 's system is inability to play audio through USB as there is no USB slot. Being a novice doesnt help either. Hopefully some day I will have your patience and skills to do some kind of DIY setup. |
Thanks! I am not sure if auto shops would be of help, I think it would be out of their domain. I wish there was a custom shop where I can provide my requirements and get the output the way I had visualised it (withtout breaking the bank).
You can do some research on your GV head-unit. If it can read digital data like mp3 from a CD, there must be a way of to redirect it to read from USB. You might have to build something like USB-CD emualator or something.
Thanks for the overwhelming response and interest guys! This is definitely a morale booster for me.
I will be posting the gory details soon, categorized as follows:
- Installing the Android phone at the location of the head-unit
- Controlling the phone/head-unit using hardware knobs/buttons
- Making it look good
- Software considerations
The finish does look good in darker environments, which is usually how it is inside the car. I would still like to improve the finish, there are some uneven edges and slight gaps when seen from certain angles. Its always difficult to build the resolve to finish the last 2% of the project!