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Motorcycle Intercom (Autocom)?

After playing with the idea for almost 5 years I think I am now ready to buy an Intercom for my old bike (1984 BMW R100RS).
My intention with the intercom is to be able to speak with the pillion rider of course, but mostly it is to have the ability to use the features of the Himalaya (Qtek 2020), including:
• GSM speech (from both rider and passenger)
• Audio (directions e.t.c.) from the Navigator software (GPS Bluetooth connected – so there are no issues regarding the GPS)
• Audio when using it as an MP3 player
I want to connect the intercom with the 22 pin flat connector, because I also want to charge the phone, and do not want to have the troubles of connecting two connectors (round and flat) at the same time.
I have had a look on the page: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/wiki/Connectors. Instead of going for the DIY Car-handsfree, is it possible to connect the pins from the Himalaya directly to the intercom unit? The intercom unit it prepared for attaching phones.
Audio Connections:
As I read the description (and if it is possible to connect directly into the intercom unit) I would connect it as follows (since the microphone and speakers will be connected to the intercom unit, the following is the “virtual” connections through the cable into the intercom unit and onwards to the mic./speakers in the helmets):
Microphone:
Pin 1 – Line in
Pin 5 – Mic. Ground
Right Speaker:
Pin 3 – Left Speaker
Pin 5 – Speaker Ground
Left Speaker:
Pin 4 – Left Speaker
Pin 5 – Speaker Ground
Question:
I am not sure about pin 19 (CAR_ON#), but as I read it, it must be connected to ground (not the audio ground), in order to have all audio input/output come from/to the intercom. Is that correct?
Charging connections:
I will be using a 5V (7805) regulator, and connect:
Pin 20, 21, 22 – + 5V
Pin 16, 17, 18 – Ground (and maybe pin 19 – se above)
Question:
The “Power hookup” digram shows pin 15 (UDC-) should be connected to the ground, along with pin 17 and 18 – but not pin 16.
Pin 19 is connected to +5/6V, but the pin 20 is not.
What is correct in my case – the “DIY Car-handsfree” or the “Power hookup” diagram?
Summary:
Have I overlooked something (forgotten connections/wrong connections)?
Will what I have described work as intended?
Has anyone had any experiences connecting the Himalaya to an MC intercom?
The Intercom:
The intercom I have in mind is an Autocom Active-Rider (kit 3). http://www.autocom.co.uk/
Thanks in advance for your help.
Steen

Did you have any success?
I have the MDAIII and want to use it on my motorbike with the Autocom.

Yes
I have used it all of this season, and coversation possible up to 180 km/h - which is as fast as my old Beemer can do.
/Steen

Hi steen, are you still around?
I've just fitted an Autocom to my BMW and I am now looking to connect my XDA IIs to it and wondered if you could help with a schematic?
Andrew

I've just bought an Autocom unit and have laid it out for a dry run. I've fitted the speakers into the helmets and mike boons. When I attached my XDA mini s, I attached it through the headphone jack with a 2.5mm. Trouble is, when I receive a call, Ican hear them but they cannot hear me as it is in the headphone slot. Is there anyway of connecting the phone so that I can be heard, ie, via the mini USB slot.
Thanks in advance.

i think you will find you need a 4 ring 2.5mm plug for the mini s. im not sure which does what yet but will be looking into this soon. i think though it goes from the tip to the body of the plug
tip audio (poss left)
ring 1 audio (poss right)
ring 2 mic
ring 4 ground (common to both mic and audio)
so if you are using a normal 3 ring 2.5mm you will be shorting the mic to ground thus it cant be heard.
All you will need to do then is patch them to the correct connections on the bike system.
Im wanting to do this for myself but im going to build into the connection between the mini s and the bike system a push switch (add the patch to get the talk button to fire up the voice dial) and copy the wiring on the mini s supplied headphones.

I have used it all of this season, and coversation possible up to 180 km/h - which is as fast as my old Beemer can do.

Sena SMH10
An affordable Motorcycle intercom system for Rider to Passenger with input for Music, includes 2 headsets.

Diamond [cheap] car kit solution. Need some software upgrade...

Hi. I wanted a cheap solution for mounting my (soon to be replaced) HTC Touch Diamond in my car with the fewest cables possible (I need to mention here that I don't want to use a car mounter and a car charger...the whole idea is to just slip the phone in when you enter the car. I also found the beautiful solutions from brodit or carcomm or adapt but these are a lot more expensive).
So I found this desktop charger (photo downstairs) at 20$ on ebay that I intend to glue somewhere in my car. All good ...
BUT, I was wondering if it would be possible to use a third-party software (if such exists) or to modify some registry entries so that when I connect my phone to the charger, it would automatically modify the phone answering options and a phone call could be answered by pressing any hard key (like the up-down volume keys on the side) or at least switch to that existing option when the phone auto-answers after a set period of time (0-120 sec.). These should be disabled after the phone is disconnected!
Also, in order to use the above-mentioned features, after the phone is answered it should automatically switch to speaker mode.
So...what do you guys think...is this science-fiction ???

bump...

Handsfree
you can plug it into a car charger and then pair the phone with one of those new solar powered bluetooth handsfree kits that you attach to your sun visor. EBAY!

djfuego said:
you can plug it into a car charger and then pair the phone with one of those new solar powered bluetooth handsfree kits that you attach to your sun visor. EBAY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya...I guess that this is the only option.
tks!

Bluetooth device to only let my phone know I'm in the car?

I want to find a way for my phone to automatically know when I turn on or off my car while I'm in it. I will use tasker to turn on and off my mobile hotspot when I'm in the car, so my echo dot ,connected to aux-in, can play music.
tl;dnr: looking for a usb-powered-only bluetooth device that can connect to phones and doesn't involve the aux-in of my car audio. eg: usb-powered bluetooth speaker/speakerphone/input-device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My car doesn't have bluetooth, so I have been looking for some sort of bluetooth device that will turn on and off with the car.
I don't want to use any type of bluetooth receiver since:
I'm already using my aux-in for my echo.
FM transmitter is also out since I'm switched to aux-in.
If I have the bluetooth receiver audio go nowhere, then I won't be able to hear my phone's GPS navigation.
I thought about bluetooth hands-free calling speakerphone devices, but the ones I've seen all use batteries, meaning it'll not turn off immediately when I turn off my car and will also probably need me to manually turn them on when I start my car. Anyone seen a batteryless version?
Are there any other bluetooth devices that run purely off usb power or off the car charger port?
I just tried the nonda zua smart charger that is suppose to connect to your phone when you turn it on. Only problem is that despite it showing up in the bluetooth device list, it doesn't seem to be a device that you can normally connect to. You have to install their app and the app somehow connects to it, even though the phone's bluetooth icon shows no active connections. Maybe the phone will only show a connection to devices it has supported profiles for. I can't even get tasker or android's smart lock to sense that the device is near.
Anything else out there? Is there a bluetooth input device that runs purely on usb? I have a selfie stick with a usb component that charges over usb and has an on/off switch, and I'm tempted to test if I can power it with the internal battery and have it turn on automatically when power is supplied. But I don't want to break my only selfie stick yet.
I suppose I can pair some usb-powered speakers to a bluetooth receiver so that I hear my phone over the speakers. Any recommendations? Of course, the speakers must not have batteries.

Found this:
It's actually a bluetooth speaker that doesn't have a battery. No idea if it will auto-pair when usb power is on or if the lamp can be turned off.

Can't you use an NFC tag on your car mount? When you mount your phone it hits the NFC tag and since you use Tasker you can set it to do what you want when you touch the NFC tag.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

biggiestuff said:
Can't you use an NFC tag on your car mount? When you mount your phone it hits the NFC tag and since you use Tasker you can set it to do what you want when you touch the NFC tag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may not always mount my phone and it may just stay in my pocket. And I would need to remember to hit the NFC again when I leave my car to 'automatically' turn off the hotspot. I also sometimes forget to take my phone with me and was going to have the phone alert me when the car is off.

badbob001 said:
I may not always mount my phone and it may just stay in my pocket. And I would need to remember to hit the NFC again when I leave my car to 'automatically' turn off the hotspot. I also sometimes forget to take my phone with me and was going to have the phone alert me when the car is off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about an obdii car adapter? No audio and you get vehicle stats
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

biggiestuff said:
How about an obdii car adapter? No audio and you get vehicle stats
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll look into that. I need it automatically connect to my phone without the need to install an app. I don't want to face the same issue as with the nonda car charger, which requires the app to be running constantly to connect and it somehow can connect without android showing a bluetooth connection to it.

I've decided against obdii adapter because I am unsure if android has a built-in profile to automatically connect to it without the aid of a third party app to constantly monitor bluetooth. And they are rather expensive, especially for the ones that are smart enough to go to sleep and not constantly be powered on and drain the car's battery.
There are some speakerphone adapters that don't use batteries so I'm going to try one of them and connect them to usb-powered speakers. Going from a Nexus 6P to a Pixel XL, I'm finding the speakers are now rather weak and adding external speakers will help with GPS navigation.

It seems to me the easiest thing to do would be to upgrade your car stereo. By the time you're done with all of these workarounds, it might be cheaper, too.

Either that or ditch the echo dot and use the phone to replace it's functionality. I'd go to an auto audio shop and see if they could install an ignition switch controlled power source running a proper Bluetooth to aux adapter and compare that to the cost of a new head unit.

badbob001 said:
I want to find a way for my phone to automatically know when I turn on or off my car while I'm in it. I will use tasker to turn on and off my mobile hotspot when I'm in the car, so my echo dot ,connected to aux-in, can play music.
My car doesn't have bluetooth, so I have been looking for some sort of bluetooth device that will turn on and off with the car.
I don't want to use any type of bluetooth receiver since:
I'm already using my aux-in for my echo.
FM transmitter is also out since I'm switched to aux-in.
If I have the bluetooth receiver audio go nowhere, then I won't be able to hear my phone's GPS navigation.
I thought about bluetooth hands-free calling speakerphone devices, but the ones I've seen all use batteries, meaning it'll not turn off immediately when I turn off my car and will also probably need me to manually turn them on when I start my car. Anyone seen a batteryless version?
Are there any other bluetooth devices that run purely off usb power or off the car charger port?
I just tried the nonda zua smart charger that is suppose to connect to your phone when you turn it on. Only problem is that despite it showing up in the bluetooth device list, it doesn't seem to be a device that you can normally connect to. You have to install their app and the app somehow connects to it, even though the phone's bluetooth icon shows no active connections. Maybe the phone will only show a connection to devices it has supported profiles for. I can't even get tasker or android's smart lock to sense that the device is near.
Anything else out there? Is there a bluetooth input device that runs purely on usb? I have a selfie stick with a usb component that charges over usb and has an on/off switch, and I'm tempted to test if I can power it with the internal battery and have it turn on automatically when power is supplied. But I don't want to break my only selfie stick yet.
I suppose I can pair some usb-powered speakers to a bluetooth receiver so that I hear my phone over the speakers. Any recommendations? Of course, the speakers must not have batteries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to use a Bluetooth ODB2 adapter (and Tasker) for this exact purpose.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Weudel said:
It seems to me the easiest thing to do would be to upgrade your car stereo. By the time you're done with all of these workarounds, it might be cheaper, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
W
This guy has the right idea, get an android auto head unit.

Weudel said:
It seems to me the easiest thing to do would be to upgrade your car stereo. By the time you're done with all of these workarounds, it might be cheaper, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they make car stereo units that can mix multiple sources like aux-in and bluetooth?

I've had a cheap ODBII scanner in multiple cars for years and never had a battery drain issue. I honestly can't remember if my phone auto connects to it or not, last time I tried to read from it I couldn't because the latest Android beta update broke the connection.

badbob001 said:
Do they make car stereo units that can mix multiple sources like aux-in and bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're missing the point, android auto will do your music and satnav prompts over usb. No need for the echo dot at all.

Rockford fosgate "rfbtaux" cheap reliable and will do what you need

You can use an OBDII adapter for detection
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kanetik.bluetooth_profile_condition&hl=en
You can set the condition to activate your task when its near the adapter
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kanetik.movement_detection&hl=en
I just learned they also have this app that should bypass the need for the hardware.
These apps are not free, $1.49 each. I can vouch for the bluetooth detection app, might try the movement one.

I bought this for my car and it turns on when there is no key in the ignition and off automatically when the key is pulled out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OBCAW2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For W211/203 owners with Headunits - I've ported MBUX with full CAN data to android!

This has been a little lockdown project for myself.
DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for ANY distractions caused by the shiny new interface, or any bricking of peoples tablets caused by flashing a custom ROM!
For those who don't know, MBUX is the new UI design language that Mercedes uses in the W205 models and up.
I decided to have a go at porting the interface to my MTCE tablet, using assets pulled from reverse engineered cluster firmware for the W213 E class.
Currently, this application works as a new home launcher, being the exclusive application running on the device. There is no way to browse other applications currently (I need to integrate that into the interface), however, it decodes data from CANBUS, and displays a TON of information!
Limitations currently (Early developement)
1. Volume controls and brightness doesn't work. We are bypassing the stock headunit canbus decoder box! (Reasons below)
2. The app will crash on first launch due to USB permissions
Current data shown on interface
1. Fuel data (Consumption per second, Average + Current MPG)
2. Transmission status for 722.x transmissions - Gears, oil temp, Torque converter status and more
3. Climatronics data (Get to see interior and exterior temps, as well as current fan speed, AC work load, Refrigerant pressure, flap statuses)
Future additions
1. Sending track data to Instrument cluster display - full name supported, as well as play duration
2. Phone support on IC display (Show current caller name, as well as call duration)
3. LOADS more sensor data - I have full access to every module on the cars as well as all the messages on canbus and their containing data!
4. Possible 0-60 lap timer?
5.
Why bypass the stock canbus box?
1. The stock decoder box with headunits spam data to the instrument cluster. I've reverse engineered the cluster protocol in these cars, so i can display a lot more text on the display!
2. The stock decoder box triggers the headunit to force show the reverse screen when the car is in reverse. I want the app to be in control of what happens, not the headunit.
3. The arduino required for this project talks to BOTH Canbus C and B, so no need for the headunits own box (Which i found out was filtering data)
What you'll need to try it
1. Malysk ROM installed (Root is required to run it, and Malysk has WIFI ADB debugging enabled for ease of development!)
2. Arduino Uno with 2x CANBUS shields (We will bypass the Headunits own canbus box for our own!
3. Suitable wires for running the Arduino to the 2 CAN systems on the car (see below)
Installation
1. Connect your Arduino to CANBUS C. I have 2 wires running to behind the instrument cluster. These plug into the 2 green wires on the cluster harness (Green is CAN L, Green+White is CAN H):
2. Connect your Arduino to CANBUS B. I have 2 wires running to the hub connector, accessible by removing the panel on top of the driver's pedals. (Brown is CAN L, Brown+Red is CAN H)
3. Connect your Arduino to a laptop, and upload the code found in UNO_CODE in the code repository
4. Connect the Arduino to the headunit with a USB cable.
5. Compile and upload the APK to the headunit, and choose "MERCEDES UI" as your new home screen.
6. Enjoy!
Code repository: https://github.com/rnd-ash/MBUX-Port

Ha - you the man.
First project Ive come across for my car.
However couple of Qs.
1, what is this project for, just to display car info with MB launcher?
I know this is good but without normal control of headunit apps there's not much point.
Could you not easily achieve the same with torque and a similar launcher thats similar
.
2nd. My px5 has a built in canbus, no way to bypass or disable it. Could it still work with the limitations / further research?
Does this have to be run on malaysk rom. Can it not be run as an app or on Hal9ks?
Anyway fantastic news and well done for having a go. Let me know if I can test anything for you.

203 or 211?
Currently, it's still in early stages! But I've been documenting it all on twitter: https://twitter.com/rndashm/status/1286652539337940992?s=19
You can disable canbus. If your using the factory harness (big black thing with loads of wires going out of it), what I did was to simply tape up the male canbus pins on the headunit, so they don't make contact
And as for using existing canbus. No you have to use a dedicated shield. The MTC headunits seem to filter a ton down by the time the Android OS connects to the MCU controller, so there is hardly anything useful there to see. Not to mention that same onboard MCU controller spams canbus with messages for the instrument cluster display from power on, and can't be turned off. Hence I had to bypass that as well in order to render text on the instrument cluster display (I plan to show track names playing on the AUDIO page and, if you have the telephone page, allow you to dial a contact from there! (Ive done this with a prototype project on my GitHub account called W203-Canbus).
For now, I don't think you can test anything as such but I suggest you get some wires ready for both can B and can C, and buy an Arduino Uno and 2x canbus shields

Great Job !!!
I was desperately looking for CANBUS related info for my use case on a mercedes car (2009 W164) where i receive very limited CANBUS info and found this thread.
Comparing folks with Audi/VW/SKODA where they are able to see pleanty of info (AC, Parking Sensors, door open etc) with my situation on a mercedes vehicle made me mad for not able to have those info available.
Keep up
Thx, Alexis

Thanks!
I'm making a series showing how I'm building the whole interface FYI - you can see all the interface progress as I'm designing the system:

@UKSFM99 how's it going, it's been a while since you posted these... ?

Car Build: Giant Touchscreen + Phone? or Tablet + Headunit Reloaded?

I'm restoring a classic truck and doing some fabrication for a modern DIY headunit. Should I...
A) Mount a Galaxy Tab S8+, with a big beautiful screen, on my dash and connect to it with my phone via Headunit Reloaded?
-or-
B) Mount a big beautiful AMOLED touchscreen with similar specs on my dash and connect to it directly via HDMI out from the phone?
HR on a tablet seems great but there is some added complexity of HR not being supported in the future or Google bricking it with an update. Also I'd worry about leaving a LiPo in my truck. It would be idle potentially for over a week if I don't drive it, which could drain the tablet's battery, causing it to shut down fully, then requiring long bootup time.
I could get (pretty much) the same screen from aliexpress and mount that to the dash. No battery concerns. I'd just plug in the phone as soon as got in the car and then take the phone with me, running everything directly on the phone - audio out, etc. If I went this route, though, could I configure the resolution of the external monitor? Would driving mode work?
Anyone have experience here? Which approach would you choose? Why?
Thanks!

Maybe something over in the Automotive forum threads...
Android Automotive OS
Android Automotive OS is not Android Auto. This is more than an operating system designed to implement Google features into cars. It goes beyond just adding apps and navigation. Android Automotive OS controls the hardware of the car, like the AC, lights, seat settings etc.
forum.xda-developers.com