Wacky Idea - Put a Mini Computer in my SC

[OsoMoore]

Disclaimer - this is an "out there" idea that I am hashing over. I'm looking for input on ways it might be cool... or disastrous.

I'm a computer geek as much as anything else, and my love of fixing my new SC still doesn't compare with my desire to mess with computers. In a couple weeks I will be getting a RasberryPi (FAQs | Raspberry Pi) in the mail. Its a small computer about the size of a deck of cards. I wasn't sure what I would do with it, but it was only ~$50 so I figured I would get it and figure that out later.

My current idea is that I will integrate it into my SC somehow. I can start with small things - get a digital-to-analog converter in USB and link in the power windows. Install the headlight relay kit and hook that in so I can make it turn the headlights on and off. Probably hook it into the stereo so I can download music from home and play mp3s.

I'd be sure to keep my changes clean - everything probably done without permanent car changes, just running some wires to the computer in the smuggler's box, but I think it would be lots of fun. What other cool stuff could I do with it? Dangers?

[ejp]

Fun stuff? I can think of a few things:

- Build a touchscreen UI for any of the stuff below...and then put a touchscreen in your car
- Purchase a thermometer and some servos: automatic climate control
- Bluetooth phone
- Stereo/MP3/Pandora streaming (e.g. tether to rooted smartphone via WiFi)
- GPS
- I'm sure that there are accelerometer kits out there (I'm thinking Make magazine type stuff)...why not some kind of data recording telemetry?

I suspect that many of these might be obvious, as much of this is available in modern cars today.

[gtc]

EFI conversion!

[jpnovak]

Megasquirt is already interfaced with RPi systems. There is a linux distro that is working now.

I have a 7" touch screen computer running XP that is my digital dash, audio and navigation in my 914 project. Interfaces with the MSII on the Suby engine.

[ejp]

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

What other cool stuff could I do with it? Dangers?

Dangers? The primary one that I can think of is after Skynet becomes self aware and initiates the machine apocalypse, your SC will join the uprising and try to enslave or kill you along with the EFI DME Carreras and Megasquirt conversion cars. Your CIS SC will no longer be safe from Skynet.

Of course, not putting a RaspberryPi in your car will do nothing to stop the machine apocalypse. It's your call on whether or not to roll the dice on this one.

One last piece of pedantic dorkery, I'm not sure how a proper minicomputer will fit into a 911 without significant modification to the car and/or minicomputer:

[Arne2]

I love PCs and technology as much as anyone (I'm a Linux sysadmin by trade), but I bought a 911 in large part because I want to AVOID computers in my car...

[zippy_gg]

In addition to the headlight relays you could install a sensor that will turn on/off the lights based on external conditions.
Same with wipers being turned on if the humidity sensor says so!

[RWebb]

either use a pdp-8...


or a quantum computer

[Tippy]

I think someone was trying to do something similar here or on Renny.

[ejp]

Originally Posted by RWebb

either use a pdp-8...


or a quantum computer

Ooh - I like the idea of a quantum computer. If it were integrated into a GPS, you could theoretically drive every single road between your origin and destination...all before you ever leave.

As far as the PDP-8 goes, I dunno...I wouldn't accept anything less than 16-bit processing and a TCP stack.

/nerdiness

[fanaudical]

I've seen a few mini-computers and touchscreens integrated into vehicles, mostly for stereo, navigation, and data collection. I'm not sure I'd recommend a PC-based anything for vehicle control functions if you have other aps running (like media player or similar) on the off chance something "hangs" the system. In my opinion, little embedded controllers or small PLC's are a better fit for those applications.

[shanfarrar]

I love PCs and technology as much as anyone

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Arne2

I love PCs and technology as much as anyone (I'm a Linux sysadmin by trade), but I bought a 911 in large part because I want to AVOID computers in my car...

I'm with you. While I have always loved the shape of this awesome machine of ours, what's under the skin has proven to be even more exciting. And the lack of computer control (more or less - Motronic is kinda like a computer) makes the allure even greater.

Climate control? After spending four weekends with my dash entirely out of my UrS6 replacing flapper motors connected to the climate control, I think I much prefer the Rube Goldberg Porsche set-up!

[kerthunk]

If you got something like an LMA-3 from Innovate Motorsports, then you can hook up a serial connection (via USB) to the Raspberry Pi and be able to track engine RPM, speed, vacuum and other junk like that. The LMA-3 uses a simple serial protocol and the full spec is available on their website.

If you hook up a small screen and write a simple OpenGL renderer, you can have the world's most complex shift indicator light!

[Kraftwerk]

One thing I like about my SC is that it cares not about computers.
I couldn't own my SC w/o my lap top when the car needs fixing tho.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by ejp

Dangers? The primary one that I can think of is after Skynet becomes self aware and initiates the machine apocalypse, your SC will join the uprising and try to enslave or kill you along with the EFI DME Carreras and Megasquirt conversion cars. Your CIS SC will no longer be safe from Skynet.

Of course, not putting a RaspberryPi in your car will do nothing to stop the machine apocalypse. It's your call on whether or not to roll the dice on this one.

One last piece of pedantic dorkery, I'm not sure how a proper minicomputer will fit into a 911 without significant modification to the car and/or minicomputer:

Here's how...

Strobe Data Osprey QXP

A PDP-11 in a PC and with ~10X the execution rate of the pictured PDP-11/60

[ejp]

Originally Posted by wwest

Here's how...

Strobe Data Osprey QXP

A PDP-11 in a PC and with ~10X the execution rate of the pictured PDP-11/60

Wow. Way to outgeek me. I totally surrender.

[Dave Colangelo]

As a computer engineer Ill throw my advice out there.

Much like you I am waiting on my piece of the PI and am quite excited for it. There are a lot of cool applications that could be done with a microcomputer in a car. The main issue I have with the PI is that it does not support Java yet. This leaves you with C and C++ as well as some of the scripting languages to develop in. Not a huge draw back but I do like java. I have also done some research into integrating the smaller touch screens with it the biggest issue I found was that interfacing Linux/UNIX with any thing is tough unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

On any note I say go for it. A media player would be my first thought. If you want some development help PM me, I'm always up for a project.

It could be a good candidate to do some data logging for driver analysis.


Regards
Dave

[daepp]

But will is still run after an EMF burst?

[ratpiper71T]

Start with a Mac Mini, go where it takes you.