Sneak Peek: 4Runner Android Carputer!

Rudy97

Rudy97

New member
Hello everyone!

I've been gathering the pieces for this build for quite some time. It's not fully operational just yet, but everyday I learn a little more and get a little closer. I'll break down the parts I've used as well as a capabilities listing and the issues I am currently running into. The main goal of this build was to have an affordable entertainment that could do turn by turn navigation by cached maps, trail mapping via cached topographical maps, read engine codes and monitor output of the OBDII, play mp3's and movies, provide auto switching for backup camera and allow additional cameras to act as "rock cameras", and use software defined radio to listen to and RECORD using the factory antenna in more wavelengths than just AM/FM (think shortwave, CB, FRS, etc).

Here's a picture of it up and running!


To start... the parts

The computer: Hummingboard i2ex (Hummingboard - Powerful Linux Single Board Computer)

The screen: 7" Lilliput 669GL-70NP/C/T-HB-RV HDMI (Amazon.com: Preassembled Black Double Din LCD Frame with 7" Lilliput 669GL-70NP/C/T-HB-RV HDMI DVI High Brightness: Computers & Accessories)

The Operating System Android 4.4.4 KitKat (found here! SolidRun Community ? View topic - [ROM][17 Nov] AOSPBox-i R1.2 - Android KitKat 4.4.4 )

OBDII Bluetooth Adapter: Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth (Amazon.com: D-CLICK TM High QualitySuper Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth CAN-BUS Auto Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP, OSX ,Vista, Win7,Win8 and Android: Computers & Accessories)

Bluetooth Adapter: SANOXY® USB Bluetooth Wireless Adapter (Amazon.com: SANOXY® USB Bluetooth Wireless Adapter for HP, Gateway, eMachine, Dell or ANY Laptop/PC Running Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 200, XP, Vista & WINDOWS 7: Computers & Accessories)

Storage device:128gb SSD (Amazon.com: MyDigitalSSD 128GB PocketVault SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Portable External Solid State Storage Drive SSD (128GB): Computers & Accessories)

GPS: GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS Receiver (Amazon.com: GlobalSat BU-353-S4 USB GPS Receiver (Black): GPS & Navigation)

In addition to these items I had to purchase a few special items to enable the stereo to work (such as an extension to the antenna cable, and a new wiring harness that I could cut up and make an extension out of)

The OBDII monitoring will be done through Android's Torque Pro app and the media center will be controlled by XBMC (renamed to KODI recently)

The hardware went together easy enough, however the software side has been giving me issues.

Current issues I am having:
  • Touch screen calibration is off (x-y axis are flipped), but I have done some research and narrowed the issue down to a specific config file in the android kernel and am in the process of trying to patch it.
    The bluetooth isn't recognized, there are linux drivers so I am sure I can get it to work. It should be a similar fix to as the touch screen.
    The GPS receiver isn't recognized. Same issue.
    The analog (3.5mm) audio output is over modulated in KODI and does not output audio from the home screen.

Okay, so it's more or less just a pretty screen right now since it doesn't recognize much, but I think it has a lot of potential! If anyone knows how to compile Android kernels or knows of someone who might be able to help I would be much appreciated. I'm just trying to learn as I go!

Here's a quick video showing the first boot while in the 4Runner!

 
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I'm diggin' it! You are even more adventurous than I am. I am currently running a Samsung Tab3 as my carputer. It has it's own Phone number and 4g service, but I use Tablet Talk to link to my phone for Texts, and it will dial out on my phone. It's clumsy but it works. This also allows me to use Google maps and all the cool android apps, including FB and Instagram. I have one touch dialing for my g/f and my manager on one of the pages in CarHomeUltra, which is pretty nice but also has some glitches.

I use Tasker for some of the automation, but again, it won't do everything.

The biggest problem I faced is if you use an On The Go cable to make the Tablet a host, it won't charge, and if you use a regular cable you have to output the sound through the 3.5mm jack. Which I have done, to a plug on the console which is on a switch so I can use my phone audio through the head unit sound. This week I'll be installing an amp which will take the 3.5 mm signal after I run it through a level control, a ground loop isolator and convert it to RCA. Next up will be a wifi camera then I'll eliminate the head unit for good.

I wish I knew programming enough to take on the challenge you did!

:first:
 
As cool as these ideas are, I can't help but think how much a distraction to driving these would be. Is that accurate or unfounded?
 
Looks good. I did something very similar with a Nexus 7 and a custom kernal.

Why didn't you get a Nexus 7 to consolidate all of those parts?
 
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csp said:
As cool as these ideas are, I can't help but think how much a distraction to driving these would be. Is that accurate or unfounded?
Click to expand...

Of course it is, I use it for email and text alot, but I try to be responsible. But when my son is riding with me, he does EVERYTHING on it. But mostly it's just a head unit/Navigation/phone.
 
Subscribed!

I did something similar but I kept the head unit. Here is 32GB Nexus 7 v2 with an Alpine Head Unit below. It is attached with simple velcro, right over the clock.

It shows it connected via the aux plug but lately I've been using the BlueTooth audio since it is so high quality with Nexus 7 v2 and my new Alpine head unit.

Currently running stock 4.4.4 but Google is releasing 5.0 for Nexus 7 very soon. For navigation I use Backcountry Pro and it works great.


:)
 

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I'm not an expert at Linux/Android and other computer stuff, but I'm familiar enough to be dangerous. My brother, on the other hand, is a computer and Linux wiz who is developing the programming for NASA's Robonaut. He says this website has some good "car friendly" kernals for Android. Hope it helps...and I greatly admire you vision for this project. Good luck!

https://timur.mobi/timurs-kernel-n7-2013/
 
vm_boy said:
I'm not an expert at Linux/Android and other computer stuff, but I'm familiar enough to be dangerous. My brother, on the other hand, is a computer and Linux wiz who is developing the programming for NASA's Robonaut. He says this website has some good "car friendly" kernals for Android. Hope it helps...and I greatly admire you vision for this project. Good luck!

https://timur.mobi/timurs-kernel-n7-2013/
Click to expand...

I'm using Timur's Kernel for my setup. He's a good dude with great tech help. Also has his own reddit page for discussions.
 
Thanks everyone! I spoke with a buddy of mine today who deals a lot with Android/Linux. He's going to help me pull the resources I need to tailor this kernel specifically to my needs. Maybe even a Toyota splash screen on boot? Tomorrow I will grab all the sources I've found to input these drivers and he will be guiding me through the process over the next week.

I know it would have been easier to use a tablet, however I wanted something a little more permanent and this is a great opportunity to get creative and learn something new.


Pauly Walnuts said:
I'm using Timur's Kernel for my setup. He's a good dude with great tech help. Also has his own reddit page for discussions.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info Pauly, I'll check out his kernel and give it a try!
 
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