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
Related
I have this radio "hxxp://www.ebay.com/itm/121249150207?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" (I put xx in the HTTP because I don't know it live links are allowed.) This unit uses the systems stock control panel giving it more of a factory look. It's not perfect, but it works.
Some of the issues I have are it's running android 2.3. It will not mount flash drives unless they are present when the system boots. You can't really browse the web because the memory will load up too fast and slow the device to a crawl to a point where its not usable, so some quick web browsing is out. Because I followed the instructions when hooking everything up which may I add were not completely accurate, I can't play dvd's not even with the vehicle on park. The pink parking break cable with these two brown cables were all on a connector which I connected. I really did not want to mess up the warranty by splicing cables that look as they they should not be spliced just so I could ground the pink wire. Bluetooth wont connect to my obd2 device, as it pairs and disconnects. I can go on and on, but I have managed to work through some of the problems.
I am wondering if there is a way to root this unit, or update the OS? Is there an alternate solution to the DVD app so maybe I can play DVD? I only have a back button on the unit, so there is no menu button. There is a config button that takes you into the settings menu, and that is about it.
It does have the Imx53 smd Arm7 with 512mb of ram which I think is a lie because I only saw 308mb, but maybe you loose some ram on video.
Bump
So nobody has any ideas?
Bump
I'm looking for an Android headunit and was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the various no name manufacturers? So far I've tested a few Cusptech units, but noticed several flaws. I'm sure if I had access to the MCU source code or schematics, I could fix the issues myself. Ultimately it'd be nice to be able to use a custom ROM on it.
In any case, here's my take on the CP-F011 from Cusptech. Please add to this thread with your experience for other units. Hopefully this can provide some guidance for anyone looking to purchase an Android headunit.
OS / General
The units I purchased all came with Android 4.4.2 installed. After a few days of use, I haven't noticed any serious issues with the user interface aside from it being seemingly cluttered. One nice feature it has is integrated WiFi. The antenna is internal, so the range is pretty limited though.
Power On / Off - One frustrating thing for me is that the unit always has to boot up when the accessory line is turned on, despite the constant hot line always having power. It'd be much nicer if the unit would go into lower power mode rather than completely shutting down. Interestingly, the tuner and sound come on almost immediately while the OS is booting.
AM/FM Radio - With a plain old AM/FM antenna, this tuner is essentially worthless. On my stock Ford nav unit, I get excellent reception across the FM band. The Cusptech unit however picks up nothing but static with maybe a slight hint of a radio station here and there. I'll try again with an amplified antenna to see if it makes a difference.
Bluetooth - In the Android settings menu, there's an option to turn on Bluetooth. When selected, it tries to turn something on, then shows an error message indicating failure, and shuts off again. Despite the UI showing Bluetooth off, the unit broadcasts as "Apple" and allows a phone connection with my HTC One.
GPS Receiver / Navigation Apps - I hope to test this in the coming days. By default the unit is configured for Waze, which I've never used. After playing around with a bit, I'll see about using Google Maps.
Rear-view Camera - No complaints here. When voltage is applied to the reverse line, the display flips to the rear camera instantly. No picture-in-picture functionality, but that also means the rear-view camera works while it's booting.
Sound Quality - I haven't had a chance to connect this unit with the appropriate speakers, so I can't comment on this yet. Will update when normal speakers arrive.
On a side note, if anyone knows of a unit that someone has been able to write custom MCU code for, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to contribute my software/hardware development expertise in making it better. At this point, if the enclosures weren't such a PIA to build, I'd design my own.
Hello all.
I have looked around via the search tool but not found what I was looking for directly.
Background:
I have a sterling kit car. I am modernizing the entire car to look, act, and drive like a modern day exotic sports car. So of course I would want an in dash infotainment system. However this car is extremely small. In fact the roof is only 40 inches tall.
So after remodeling the dash I have room for a 5 inch tablet. I would like to use an android based tablet, but most of the units I can find are chinese, and Win CE 6.0 based.
Im looking for the following features:
Google maps 3D GPS/Navigation
Bluetooth for phone, camera and OBD2 system access
WIFI
Back up camera wireless
Driving rear view camera
OBD 2 bluetooth system access
FM radio
MP3 Play back
Parking radar system
HD quality touch screen
Auto on and off based on external voltage (accessory power)
Custom boot screen and animations
I know some of these would be add ons and not part of the base android unit. But I am finding it very difficult to find a 5" tablet I can use in this way. It would be mounted in the dash board with only the screen exposed.
Can a win CE based tablet be converted to run android?
Im looking for a believable OEM in dash infotainment system. SI would imagine the processing power should be pretty good for fast switching, and animation speeds.
Thoughts? Ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Yaughn
So my friend just came from a Galaxy s6 and has been using Android Auto (Pioneer 4100 NEX) for awhile. The pixel will not work at all when connected.
Anyone have the same issue or a resolution to it?
Thanks!
Go here for help with stereo, http://avic411.com/ Also Pioneer web site has help about the Pixel and Android Auto. The biggest problem is the cords from the stereo. Some people have had to plug a " special" cord to the back of the stereo.
FWIW, my wife has a S7 edge and Avic 4200 and we had to use the Pioneer microsd cable. On my Kenwood DNX 893s I use the OEM USB A-C cable on my Pixel. Cords can make a big difference for picking up the phone. I'm not aware of any pioneer pixel issues though... Usually up to date firmware on the radios and OEM cables do the trick.
Not with that particular radio, but just to say using the USB A to C cable in my Ford Focus works just fine with Android Auto. The only issue I have is if I touch my phone or cable the wrong way it will kick it out of Auto mode for some reason.
My GF bought a 2016 Honda Accord a few months ago and trying to navigate the touch screen and get android auto to work properly is like trying to solve a Rubiks cube. If you're plugged into the cars USB port simply to charge your phone (as a passenger) android auto keeps popping up on the screen and wanting to take over. You try to exit the screen thats prompting you to use android auto and seconds later it'll pop back up. So finally you admit defeat and try to install android auto on your phone officially and it wont install or connect with the cars stereo. IF you finally get it to work, you phone becomes completely inoperable, which kind of makes sense as you can control the music and everything from the steering wheel or the cars touch screen, but if you're a passenger it sucks because you can't do anything on your phone. If you uninstall android auto, the car stereo constantly tries to connect with your phone and wont let you do anything else. Half the problems I have are with android auto and the other half with with what I consider a crappy user interface/layout and design of the stereo. If I could murder android auto, I would do it violently.
magnumtripod said:
My GF bought a 2016 Honda Accord a few months ago and trying to navigate the touch screen and get android auto to work properly is like trying to solve a Rubiks cube. If you're plugged into the cars USB port simply to charge your phone (as a passenger) android auto keeps popping up on the screen and wanting to take over. You try to exit the screen thats prompting you to use android auto and seconds later it'll pop back up. So finally you admit defeat and try to install android auto on your phone officially and it wont install or connect with the cars stereo. IF you finally get it to work, you phone becomes completely inoperable, which kind of makes sense as you can control the music and everything from the steering wheel or the cars touch screen, but if you're a passenger it sucks because you can't do anything on your phone. If you uninstall android auto, the car stereo constantly tries to connect with your phone and wont let you do anything else. Half the problems I have are with android auto and the other half with with what I consider a crappy user interface/layout and design of the stereo. If I could murder android auto, I would do it violently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know with my Kenwood DNX893S and any Android I can swipe down from the top of the phone and choose "charging only" or something like that and the phone goes back to normal and it can be used while charging.
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... ?