XOOM tablet based carputer project (work in progress)
- Thread starter theksmith
- Start date
theksmith
Explorer
hardware issue was "in the middle"
i don't actually know for sure exactly why it was happening, but i have a fuzzy picture of the problem... quick background - when i setup everything, i used a powered USB hub and configured things so it was only powered when the Jeep was on. my only USB device so far, the OBDII interface, was also set to only be powered when the Jeep was on. however, since the hub was always attached to the tablet (by virtue of it being in the cradle), the tablet would have ended up powering the hub even with the Jeep off. this was undesirable for many reasons, mainly tablet battery drain. therefore, i severed the +5V (red) wire on the tablet OTG cable so that the tablet couldn't provide power to the hub.
i realized recently that a USB device can be considered "connected" with only the 2 data lines intact (i.e. for self powered accessories), so i probably should have used a multi-contact relay to completely disconnect the OTG cable from the hub. i believe the problem was in the timing of everything shutting down, depending on whether the OBDII interface was in the middle of sending data and then maybe even whether the hub or it shut down first (talking micro seconds here).
i happened to have a another very fancy USB hub designed for carputers laying around, the Carnetix P5USB. besides featuring a true complete disconnect/shut-down that could be triggered by ignition, it also isolates each port and prevents any back-bleed of +5V from an accessory. replacing my previous dumb hub with this one solved the problem. since this hub has so many features, i can't be certain exactly which one was the actual fix.
the Google Play store's screenshots of Alpine Quest are current: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=psyberia.alpinequest.full
the actual maps look just like in any other app that uses the common free online mapping services (OSM, Google, Bing, Yahoo, USGS, etc). it only has free/open-source maps, there is no "premium" mapping service available like with BCN or ViewRanger, etc. it does support purchased MemoryMap maps, but i think i read that only those in an older format. you can use MOBAC to create maps for it on a desktop computer just like with Orux or BCN, but i've never had a lot of luck with that thing.
AQ has a site with plenty of info, though sometimes it's hard to find (they have links within pages that aren't in the main side menu, so you only find them if you follow the in-page links!): http://alpinequest.psyberia.net/
there's a free version that will give you a feel for it. the free one is pretty crippled though, you have to buy it to really use it for anything.
if there was something specific you wanted me to screen cap i will.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Very kool project.
theksmith
Explorer
thanks, it's been fun to tinker with. kinda bored that it's all just working now! still find myself wanting to mess with it but there's nothing left to do with the core of the project.
when i have some spare money i'm going to attempt to integrate multiple cameras. i know it can be done, but how fast they'll be accessible after the Jeep turns on is a big question (so whether suitable for a back-up camera or not). also not sure if the tablet has the horsepower to record decent resolution video from them at 30fps, which would be a goal. and i want to write an inclinometer app, there are a ton on Google Play store, but none exactly like i'm envisioning. well... looks like i have plenty to tinker with after all
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
I have wanted to build a carputer for years... now with the power of the tablets out there, it is a compelling direction to go. There is a guy on Jeep Forum who modded the dash in his 2005 WK to have his 10.1 tablet slide into the dash in place of the head unit. In the WK there is so much room behind the OEM head unit he was able to simply mount it in behind.
VERY tempted to go this route, but... I picked up a REALLY nice audiophile level head unit, so I will go that route for now.
For now.
Following along for the ride, keep up the good work.
VERY tempted to go this route, but... I picked up a REALLY nice audiophile level head unit, so I will go that route for now.
For now.
Following along for the ride, keep up the good work.
theksmith
Explorer
i had a half done pc based carputer in before, with 8" touchscreen. this tablet one went so much faster and just easier. a ton can be done with them without going to near the level of effort that i have on this project. i've just done a lot of extra stuff to get things exactly how i wanted them. if i was going to do a new one i'd get a windows 8 pro tablet. they don't have a ton of apps yet, but that will improve.
i'd like to see that WK if you have a link? the newer vehicles all seem to have giant places for custom screen integrations. i briefly considered removing the center a/c vents and i could have fit my 10.1 in for a more integrated/factory look, but this worked out well since i take it in and out all the time anyway and have other non-factory looking stuff like the HAM mic and CB hanging around.
as far as audiophile quality, for my rig there's no need of anything better than the DAC in the Logitech BT receiver i'm using - i'm on 35" mud terrains and it has been wheeled enough to now have plenty of rattles, creaks, groans, and moans! i remember when i used to chase down every new little noise that would pop-up... eventually they outpaced my ability to silence them. i'm still running the stock infinity amp and speakers, too many other things take priority over getting better components. i'd like to put a shallow 8" or 6" sub under the rear driver's side seat though. i can still appreciate quality components in someone elses rig
what head-unit did you get?
theksmith
Explorer
released a newer version of my steering wheel button interface app for Android. mostly minor fixes, code cleanup, improved documentation, etc.
source code here: https://github.com/theksmith/Steering-Wheel-Interface
source code here: https://github.com/theksmith/Steering-Wheel-Interface
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
i had a half done pc based carputer in before, with 8" touchscreen. this tablet one went so much faster and just easier. a ton can be done with them without going to near the level of effort that i have on this project. i've just done a lot of extra stuff to get things exactly how i wanted them. if i was going to do a new one i'd get a windows 8 pro tablet. they don't have a ton of apps yet, but that will improve.
i'd like to see that WK if you have a link? the newer vehicles all seem to have giant places for custom screen integrations. i briefly considered removing the center a/c vents and i could have fit my 10.1 in for a more integrated/factory look, but this worked out well since i take it in and out all the time anyway and have other non-factory looking stuff like the HAM mic and CB hanging around.
as far as audiophile quality, for my rig there's no need of anything better than the DAC in the Logitech BT receiver i'm using - i'm on 35" mud terrains and it has been wheeled enough to now have plenty of rattles, creaks, groans, and moans! i remember when i used to chase down every new little noise that would pop-up... eventually they outpaced my ability to silence them. i'm still running the stock infinity amp and speakers, too many other things take priority over getting better components. i'd like to put a shallow 8" or 6" sub under the rear driver's side seat though. i can still appreciate quality components in someone elses rig
Yeah, I hear you on the Windows 8 Tabs... very nice however. We brought a few into work to test out, I sadly have not gotten my hands on one yet.
I picked up a Pioneer DEH-80PRS (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Receivers/DEH-80PRS), very feature rich with the Bluetooth integration and Android support as well as 3 Burr-Brown Digital to Analog converters... pretty nice unit. Sadly sitting in the box still, for like 4 months now. Too much other stuff going on. Soon I will install it, maybe this weekend.
The tab install in the WK is on Jeep Forum, I will find it and post the link. VERY nice work.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
So... it would appear that he did not make a build thread, rather he documented it on JF in the "What did you do to your WK today" thread. Here is the start of his tablet mod, one of the nicest I have seen.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f67/...k-xk-today-1167146/index557.html#post15125833
Finished product...the OEM deck is just behind the tablet.
His name is Craig and he also built himself a wee online business making LED lighted Logo cup holder inserts for the WK Grand Cherokee and XK (Commander). Check out his site here (http://jeep-core.com/). You two guys are very much alike...or so it would seem, very similar interests!
Greg
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f67/...k-xk-today-1167146/index557.html#post15125833
Finished product...the OEM deck is just behind the tablet.
His name is Craig and he also built himself a wee online business making LED lighted Logo cup holder inserts for the WK Grand Cherokee and XK (Commander). Check out his site here (http://jeep-core.com/). You two guys are very much alike...or so it would seem, very similar interests!
Greg
theksmith
Explorer
suprised i never saw that, it is very clean! i have heard of his cup holder thingies, those are neat too but not my style exactly.
this is the cleanest removable tablet carputer i've ever seen, it's a nexus 7... build thread is on mp3car somewhere i think:
reece146
Automotive Artist
Once upon a time I did a Linux embedded setup for in-car... Custom FVWM display interface to gpsdrive and stuff. Just when I got it all ready to install in the Jeep all these tablets came out and I said screw it, not worth the effort at that point - too much like paleocomputing.
I'm thinking of doing something like this for my next project car (restomod/pro-touring track Mustang):
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/asteroid-range/parrot-asteroid-smart
Add MSDroid to monitor/control the EFI. I like the idea of fully integrated, non-removable.
I'm thinking of doing something like this for my next project car (restomod/pro-touring track Mustang):
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/asteroid-range/parrot-asteroid-smart
Add MSDroid to monitor/control the EFI. I like the idea of fully integrated, non-removable.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Yes, that is a very clean install... so many things I could do with my 10" Tab 2...hmmm....
That is pretty slick as well. I hadn't seen one of the Parrot Smart decks before? Too bad it was onerously expensive for me to get a 2DIN center bezel for my WK, I would have jumped on something like that.
vonguido
Adventurer
This is absolutely amazing man! I'm jealous of everything lol.
I currently have a 98 XJ Limited and I want to go this route, and my first question is with someone who doesn't have much experience with electronics aside from a head unit install and just using the ******* out of my apple products, could they install/build something almost identical? I'm going to be in the market for a tablet that I want to install into my XJ.
I want it to do everything yours can minus the OBDII since I have a autoscan gauge 2 already. I know you mentioned a list of parts and schematics, so just curious what all it would take. I won't be able to start the project till the beginning of next year.
Keep up the amazing work man.
I currently have a 98 XJ Limited and I want to go this route, and my first question is with someone who doesn't have much experience with electronics aside from a head unit install and just using the ******* out of my apple products, could they install/build something almost identical? I'm going to be in the market for a tablet that I want to install into my XJ.
I want it to do everything yours can minus the OBDII since I have a autoscan gauge 2 already. I know you mentioned a list of parts and schematics, so just curious what all it would take. I won't be able to start the project till the beginning of next year.
Keep up the amazing work man.
theksmith
Explorer
thanks!
you can absolutely keep it simple and still have 95% of what i've done. there's a lot of complexity in my approach simply because i was particular about certain things, and sometimes there were things i thought would be simpler a certain way but would be more complex for the average non-electrical-tinkering person.
you might consider a fairly pre-built solution like this: https://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MimicsDash
but if you want to do something custom with a tablet, the basic formula is:
- a tablet. Android is more customizable than iOS but iOS just plain works if you are keeping it really simple. if you want fancy widgets and custom home screen layouts, Android hands down. get one with cell service if you can afford it, it's just so convenient. otherwise you can still share wifi from your phone when you want internet. and of course there are plenty of times you can't get internet at all and so you'll have bought apps with pre-downloaded maps and such... but trust me, having things like weather and pandora always just work in town is nice.
- power supply for the tablet. every tablet out there has a cigarette-lighter style power supply available. plug it into the outlet that is switched on/off with the car, if you don't have one you can get one for a few bucks and wire it up easily. you can choose how much you want to try and hide wires by removing body panels carefully tucking things away.
- mounting, dock and wiring. if panavise makes a bracket for your rig, then mount a RAM cradle or OEM dock/cradle to that and you're set without drilling any holes. if you get a tablet that has a car dock available, it probably has power in and audio out already. that will keep the wiring super clean and make the tablet easy to remove by not having to unplug 2 cords every time. otherwise some tablets have optional cables which combine audio + charging. something like this dock is great if available: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ECS-K1E3BEGSTA-Vehicle-Navigation-Galaxy/dp/B007JJVYEQ/
- GPS. most tablets with cell service have integrated GPS chips, and those actually seems to work fine. otherwise there are bluetooth GPS devices available. there's a couple top models, different for iOS and Android, but just google and search forums a bit. keep in mind if you get a bluetooth GPS, then you probably need to run another power cord (with some exceptions like the bad-elf for ipad).
- sound output. there's no reason you have to integrate the tablet with your audio system, but many people want to since it's there and can provide a great way to play mp3 and/or streaming audio. simplest thing is plugging a cord into the headphone jack that can then plug into the auxillary input on your stereo. if you have a factory stereo with no input, you can usually get a generic "mp3 player input" module that plugs in to where the cd-changer would connect. again having a dock or special cable with audio output makes less clutter. you can also go with bluetooth audio receiver, some of these even have buttons that control the media players on the tablets. this is another device that needs a power cable too. also not all bluetooth receivers are created equal, some sound like absolute crap in fact. regardless of how you get the sound out, plugging into an existing head unit is going to be the simplest thing. next simplest is plugging into an aftermarket amp, but you just need to wire the turn-on lead to the amp to the same switched power that the tablet is. i wouldn't recommend trying to integrate with a factory amp to keep it simple, you may run into issues trying to convert from line-level to speaker-level inputs and such like i did.
- automating and customizing. there's an app called Tasker for Android that is able to do nearly anything by putting together scripts in a visual way. it can get complex, and there are simpler apps like Llama that do a lot of what Tasker can, but aren't as fully automatic or powerful. at a minimum you want profile management app that can realize when the tablet is not connected to power and then put it in airplane mode to save battery, and realize when it is charging to take it out of airplane mode. you can get fancy though with Tasker - beyond doing lots of things when the Jeep cranks or shuts down, my tablet checks on things like if it's near my house and then turns on WiFi and an FTP server to let me remotely push up new mp3s and gps tracks from my home computer. for customizing, there's a million widgets and apps that can do nearly anything, so its all about how much time you spend tinkering with them. if you are fairly computer literate, then consider a custom ROM like CyanogenMod that completely unlocks Android devices.
the integration with the factory steering wheel remote buttons was the only thing i did that needed to be as difficult as it was.
join mp3car.com's forum and start looking at other people's worklogs to get ideas, and you can always ask for help with wiring or such over there too. good luck!
vonguido
Adventurer
Thanks for the reply. I will definitely poke around on mp3car.com and get something's worked out before hand so I can have it all ready to go. I'm looking at getting either a nexus 7 or 10. Need to take some measurements and see what I can work with. I want to learn more about electronics so this should be a good guide to assist with that. Looking forward to what else you come up with.