Car PC's... Better than MyGig?

[NiteHawk]

So i'm working on putting together a CarPC system that would do everything the MyGig system does, but much more.

To my understanding, MyGig is basically a 20gb hard drive CarPC of sorts that plays mp3's, wma's, video files, cd's, dvd's, and has an image gallery, and does navigation.

Would there be any interest in a system that would also do bluetooth phone integration, wireless internet, and have the ability to control certain power systems all via the same touchscreen monitor?

This is what i'm working on for my own car. These are initial skin drawings and aren't complete yet, but it gives you the idea of what it's going to look like and what it's capable of.

My specific system will include all of these functions:
- Much more storage space(100GB+)
- Memory Card Reader
- Audio In Jack
- Headphone Jack
- FM Tuner
- CD Player
- MP3/WMA Player
- DVD Player
- Navigation
- Wireless Broadband Internet (WiFi AND EVDO)
- Web Browser
- TV Tuner
- (possibly) Rear View Camera
- Touchscreen Monitor(s)
- HVAC Control
- Power Lock Controls
- Power Window Controls
- Power Mirror Controls
- OnScreen Tachometer
- OnScreen Boost/Vac Gauge
- OnScreen Wideband O2 Gauge
- OnScreen Speedometer
- OnScreen Voltage Gauge
- OnScreen Fuel Level Gauge
- OnScreen Coolant Temp Gauge
- Text Sensor Readouts for Ambient Air Temperature, Outside Temp, Inside Temp, Intake Air Temp, Oil Temp, and more if you can think of them(no EGT unfortunatly unless you can supply a 0-5v output sender)
- Automatic Headlights (with manual override)
- Automatic Running Lights (with manual override)
- Highbeam Output
- FogLight Output
- Accent Lighting Controls
- Electronic Boost Controller
- Parking Sensors(so you dont bump into anything)
- Can be setup to control engine starter

If you can think of anything else you'de like to see it do, I can possibly do that as well

The software I use is 2 programs. Centrafuse which takes care of all of the multimedia, navigation, and web browser functionality, and Fusion Control Center which allows for the vehicle integration to read sensors, control switches, etc.

Now for some pics of the skins

Centrafuse - This can be reskinned a little bit, but button placement has to stay the same. Colors and images can change.

Fusion Control Center - This can be completely reskinned. Buttons can go anywhere you want, added, removed, etc.

^^^ This page is for my car because the brain will control ACC, IGN, and START, disabling the key ignition itself.


So...........what do you guys think? Would anyone want something like this too?

Matt

 

[Mains]

that is pretty sweet buddy!

 

[LegMaker]

wow very impressive...... how would one go about having to set this up??? does it replace current hardware (ie nav unit etc.) would love to play a dvd on my nav unit (yes i know there are people that can already make it happen), as well as control various functions of the car!!!

 

[NiteHawk]

you could build a Car PC yourself, or, i MIGHT take a stab at marketing them as full packages w/ options and such.....

Nav would work via nav software and GPS receiver.

 

[Quick]

Thumb print ID for engine startup. With car off it could be in standby monitoring the thumb print reader. mash the thumb print to start the car. Put a reader outside and you could go completely keyless.

 

[NiteHawk]

that would be a completely independant system, not tied into the car pc at all since the computer would be shutdown while not in use. very good idea though

 

[Ozzie]

Very, very impressive!! I love the whole concept. Very clean interface, too. :thumb3:

 

[Quick]

that would be a completely independant system, not tied into the car pc at all since the computer would be shutdown while not in use. very good idea though

Well, wouldn't have to be completely shut down. lock the thumbprint program and data in memory, power down the disks and display, run the processor in the lowest power draw mode. Detect a thumbprint scan and match and power everything up. If it's the exterior sensor, unlock the doors (and disable your optional, integrated alarm system). If it's the interior sensor, fire the motor. Way cool.

 

[NiteHawk]

even low wattage systems pull too much to keep it running like that, your battery would be dead by morning

 

[GooberMT]

i want a computer system in my car, that i can say, "AUTO DRIVE" and it suck down the steering wheel and drive for me.

And if the car got a flat, i would say, "AUTO INFLATE" and it would fix my tire...

Ahhhh, the movie demolition man was so pimptastic!

 

[Quick]

even low wattage systems pull too much to keep it running like that, your battery would be dead by morning

Ok fine, so it comes with a couple of large laptop batteries in a battery pack... and if they run low it shuts down completely (I guess you'd need a hide-a-key just in case). :bigwink:

 

[NiteHawk]

Ok fine, so it comes with a couple of large laptop batteries in a battery pack... and if they run low it shuts down completely (I guess you'd need a hide-a-key just in case). :bigwink:

Yeah or you just have it be a system seperate from the PC...

 

[NiteHawk]

so there's just a select handful of us that are psychotic enough to do something like this? lol

 

[BillsHoe]

I Would Want This But System Got To Cost Over $5k

 

[NiteHawk]

over 5k huh?

if i decide to market this, i think you will be pleasantly surprised...

 

[SRT4Does12s]

yeah matt, you need to sponsor me......







do it...

 

[FactoryD]

Nice choice of frontend. Centrafuse is by far the nicest of them all. Forgive me if I'm wrong.

I was building up one of these last year but, due to lack to time, decided to go the easy route with a Pioneer Avic-Z1. I would've saved money going the PC route though.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Fast56k]

I see sat radio on your picture, but not on the list. Sounds interesting to me.

C.

 

[markus]

sounds/looks awesome to me. good luck to you on that, hope it comes out! you forgot the road head button though

 

[OMSRT8]

sounds/looks awesome to me. good luck to you on that, hope it comes out! you forgot the road head button though

I would definitely be interested in something like this. If you get this button added and working properly, I am in for the 5 grand. Great catch Markus, just think, this almost went into production without this functionality, your unit will be free.