I'd like to implement this if there is a software environment thats mature enough...

I'd like to have :

- touchscreen
- USB interface to plug in my cellphone for lowspeed internet access to download simple traffic data (i'll look at wimax and other higherspeed options because i'd love to stream internet radio instead)
- I have a GPS antenna that talks RS232 (serial port) so I'd like to have a map/nav program
- plug in my ipod and control it onscreen
- plug in my XM radio to the line in
- perhaps an external USB drive for extensive map data / music etc

I'm curious what kind of computer options are out there. I'd like to do a linux flavored embedded pc that ran the OS off a flashcard that quickly boots/hibernates with the ignition.

If its small enough, the pc can be installed in-dash since my headunit died a year ago and I've been plugging my ipod/xm radio directly into my trunk amp ever since. Then the touchscreen would mount on the dash in some ghetto fashion for prototyping.

So whats the situation with car-PCs?

 

http://www.mp3car.com

 

They have a program called streetdeck on there. Works great on my UMPC!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ThePunk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.mp3car.com</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I did a full PC install in my old civic back in 98'. It was my senior project for college and took two years to build. Fun project

I was interested in using a linux setup for the same reason as you. However I ended up using Windows 98 os instead. I had a minimal configuration and my system took 22 seconds to load up from ignition on. It wasn't bad at all... the challenge was being able to turn the car off and properly shut down windows without waiting.

A circuit had to be designed to start windows shut down process while keeping the power supply on to the computer, after ignition is turned off. Basically just had to look at the ACC voltage, toggle a port bit on the printer port (need small program to monitor the port bit, start shut down), and control a relay setup to keep computer supply on until cpu is off.

Might be a better method with a newer os or hardware. But my point is that you can do it with a windows system and not have to wait for it.

You should just use a PDA or small laptop for the fuctions you want.

 

looks like there are car-friendly power supplies now, that do what you had to design... http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX...ry=13

still not settled on a processor/os or a viable display option. i'd give up touchscreen but it has to be viewable in sunlight, and that seems like a cost barrier for now.

 

Transreflective LCD's are what you're looking for, and these can get expensive...

Have you considered using a cheap laptop or tablet PC? These are easier to interface to voltage-wise, and as a bonus, have an integrated "UPS".

My setup involves using a custom ARM based board which draws very little current, meaning I can leave it on 24/7 I can't recommend it though due to the software and hardware complexities.

 

Ebay have some touch screen with VGA

 

yeah, looks like there are a few places in the UK selling this stuff...

too bad HUD technology didnt advance as much as i'd hoped.