Android Tablet Control Display Project Unveiled (Vehicle Controls Included!)FREE！

[RichardR0404]

This is how I want my X5 to look like in 1 year

Okay... Let's start from a year ago, which is when I started this project during my calculus class. I am a computer science student and have some ideas of programming android apps..Far from professional. LOL

I saw my neighbour was using a Galaxy Tab A 10 inch and I thought that this could be the tablet I will eventually develop my software on.

So This is what we got so far.

Oh also this project will be open-sourced under GPL license V3, which means that I will post my source code to GitHub and anyone is welcome to make modifications.

Oh did I mentioned that car manufactures are ripping us off by only put new features and functions in brand new car?
LCD gauge cluster cost $1000?
Hell NO!
This is a gauge cluster we did in 20 minutes, an proper map app, a simply overlay dock, done!
Oh the 10 inch display cost us $90 with shipping included

Ain't looking too bad huh..


So this is how far I went in a year, This is running on Android 6.0 using Virt-Manager on Fedora 27, use 2 type of data feed from vehicle, OBD 2 Carly Adaptor and CANBUS to Ethernet Protocol and will consider LIN protocol if needed (Same idea as how tesla implement their system), also Android Tablet do not feed data/command right into canbus I have a program running on my linux host os to control all the command, this can be replaced by a raspberry pi latter for more security measure.






More Pics Comming
Complete Feature list will be available later after I finish fixing the crashing issue.

Feb 2 update
Remote Start Concept

[RichardR0404]

Some updates
Add an button for app draw, and the dashboard function is under construction, basically It will give you phone, music, Navigation, Vehicle information preview.
Able to read and write CANBUS data, Sunroof operation still not working but able to roll the window up and down.
Currently Successful command:
- Climate Control
- Window Control (Partial)
- Lighting Control (Partial)
- Power lift gate Control and setting
- Parking brake and auto hold control
- Power Seats and Steering column control (Partial)
- Door lock control (Partial)

[RichardH]

Wow that's amazing can't wait for write up

[protecon]

There's a good CANBUS Facebook group if you're looking for beta testers/troubleshooting help.

I'd like your post, but you're listening to Ed Sheeran.

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by protecon

There's a good CANBUS Facebook group if you're looking for beta testers/troubleshooting help.

I'd like your post, but you're listening to Ed Sheeran.

I have another E70 owner and 2 E90 owner develop this together
I dont like Ed Sheeran. I dont use phone to play music. Like I said i use my Hi Res sony ZX2 to play my music. the google music is just demonstrate the functionarity for this system.

[greddy91]

I'm VERY interested in this. Supersized screen mounted in the dash can be done for much cheaper than the AVIN and we can pick the hardware to assure something modern.

What version of Android is this alive on? Assuming 6.0?

[RichardR0404]

More update..
This is still in very very very very very very very early stage of development. Probably need another year or two. Good thing is looks like this works with majority of the BMWs.
Added notification centre, added dashboard page (took me 40 minutes to write) and a very simple done in 5 minutes app draw..

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by greddy91

I'm VERY interested in this. Supersized screen mounted in the dash can be done for much cheaper than the AVIN and we can pick the hardware to assure something modern.

What version of Android is this alive on? Assuming 6.0?

So far my development environment is Android 7.1.1 Assume able to run on 6.0 but does not matter. My plan is to refine the air conditioner control + i drive setting first and release my first version. This is way cheaper than AVIN since what you really need is a android tablet ( a decent one cost around $300), a LTE dongle, a GPS dongle, a USB board dongle and a OBD to ethernet(for F series) or a OBD to USB (e series) to control the air conditioning, door locks and trunk (Yes you are able to adjust the opening of the trunk using the screen). Also I am trying to create driver profile on the screen so I can tag seat memory 1 or 2 to 2 driver. This is also a better idea than AVIN is you have both read and write permission to the CANBUS. Imagine you are able to code your car or do a DPF regen from the center screen......... Oh another cool feature I did today is when the car is in ON position buckle driver seatbelt, door closed, hood closed and press brake pedal it will start the engine itself.... Pretty useless feature,

[boneca]

Looks like pretty cool project
great time for u to do it now while u still in school!

would love to see day time pictures!

keep us updated and good luck

[Naz24]

i literally have no idea what you just wrote. All i saw was fruit and other words.

With that being said, this is serious talent. Also in for daytime photos

[trucky2]

Seriously cool stuff. I can't wait to see more.

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by trucky2

Seriously cool stuff. I can't wait to see more.

More cool stuff is coming. I just did a remote start test on my buddy's E90, doesn't get it going on E70 yet. Basically I send engine start package to the CANBUS and disable any input. Such as the electronic gear shift, throttle and ABS. On E70 I might do a not able to release Parking brake while key isn't presented make sure this dummy remote start system secure. (Basically stupid car thieft can't brake your window and drive away, because the gearshift, parking brake and gas pedal does not work)

I will try to get more people to work on this project but like I said this is just suppose to be a garage project for myself and I will release its source code to benefits the whole bimmer community, since Android is open-source and I DO NOT agree we should pay for any infortament system that is basically a cheap android tablet with some adaptor and a not so useful user interface.

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by boneca

Looks like pretty cool project
great time for u to do it now while u still in school!

would love to see day time pictures!

keep us updated and good luck

Originally Posted by Naz24

i literally have no idea what you just wrote. All i saw was fruit and other words.

With that being said, this is serious talent. Also in for daytime photos

We will post a video of controlling basic items on a car such as climate control, which is very unstable now. Also we might show case that remote start that we will NOT publish these codes because this can be a hazard since we just plain send packets using wifi. We might just wait till more people contribute on this project. The first release should be months away with full launcher for your android device + fully functional Trip Computer, CBS indicator(Basically all readable items from CANBUS, which known by your guys as OBD2), also we are working on a 3d animated X5 model, which means that all the adjustment you made to the vehicle will be shown real time on the the screen.

One more thing, one of my roommate is able to locate some codes for lane departure warning and forward collision warning by using camera. Although the FCW ain't be as affactive than using a radar but you are paying only $30 for a camera instead of $2000+ for a radar.

We believe that we should NOT keep buying NEW vehicle for newer features, this is rip off.

[RichardR0404]

Update:
Playing with qt5 3d stuff a little bit. Interesting fact they have some very great templets for a great gauge cluster.
This is how far we went so far.




Next step is to try to sniff more can bus command and try to get the whole body bus running on our own computer. Which means that we will have full control of the vehicle.

Something isn't working as we wanted to for the power seat but we are able to create more than 2 memory seat slots which is fantastic. also I managed to disable my Traction control completely by screwing with sensor data and also get rid of abs to make my winter driving a little easier.

Remote start works 1/20 times trying to get it working.

I truly believe one day all bmw e series owner will have Tesla like technology in their car for less than $200.

Oh.. although we fucked up the remote start we are still able to use a nfc tag as a vehicle key, works 100% of the time. Now my factory key is in the ignotion all the time because it doesnt work anymore any I have no idea where to put it....

My respberry pi is running on 3 different battery pack wraped in 2 layer of battery blanket so it does stand -20c yesterday.

Midterm is coming so I have some shitty school project to do (way less exciting than this great project). will experience slow update but let's see how the NFC key tag thingy works.

[greddy91]

This is true magical wizards and unicorn shyt. Please don't get burnt out. This is an easy money maker for you and you could expand into different tablet mounts in lieu if the CIC screen.

So much more win here than the NBT upgrade. It's insane. Anyone who spends anytime in the seat of these cars will easily see the value.

Keep it up.

[The Expendble]

Hi.

Very impressive.

Tempting to buy a 2008 x5 just for this. I am mostly interested in gauge cluster. What size tablet fits in there? Problem is i need to find a non metal tablet because in summer gets too hot here, forcing the tablet turn off at high temps.

When will you release the 1st version, or could add us as first beta testers?

Some suggestions:

1. Avoid italic fonts.
2. Add awesome speedometers
3. Better UI

Good job on the car 3d model. I am sure you will fix all the cosmetics in future but first things first as always, get this shit working

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by The Expendble

Hi.

Very impressive.

Tempting to buy a 2008 x5 just for this. I am mostly interested in gauge cluster. What size tablet fits in there? Problem is i need to find a non metal tablet because in summer gets too hot here, forcing the tablet turn off at high temps.

When will you release the 1st version, or could add us as first beta testers?

Some suggestions:

1. Avoid italic fonts.
2. Add awesome speedometers
3. Better UI

Good job on the car 3d model. I am sure you will fix all the cosmetics in future but first things first as always, get this shit working

I am working my ass of to get this to work since the CANBUS communication ain't that reliable so far. Alpha version will be released later of year. Italic fonts, haha, another e90 owner told me the same thing too, make the whole thing looks like mercedes. Speedometers are the easy easy easy easy easy part, in fact the dash board gauge cluster is the most easiest part ever. It's possible we will focus on the dash board project and release it earlier since what we need is tap in to the bus (where P3 display and M PSW w/ OLED uses) and get the data, also utilizing open maps. It is not a tablet inside the gauge cluster in fact it is a 10 inch display for raspberry pi which cost way under $100.

UI/UE is always the last part we will work on since we havn't get the whole damn thing working properly yet.

If you want to buy a used x5d i will recommand the one with CCC navigation. Eventhou this won't be released that early you might able to get your hands on a AVIN unit. OR worse I screwed up my dash and you can swap my cic in to your car.

[jellish]

Nice man.

I'm only interested in a gauge cluster replacement, but I appreciate the effort on all fronts. If there is anything I can help with, let me know and I will try. I'm a Sr Software Engineer and I have done Android dev in the past.

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by neuroclast

Nice man.

I'm only interested in a gauge cluster replacement, but I appreciate the effort on all fronts. If there is anything I can help with, let me know and I will try. I'm a Sr Software Engineer and I have done Android dev in the past.

Sounds like everyone is interested in the gauge cluster replacement. We will start working on that. For the gauge cluster replacement we might just not use android at all, might just use a lightweight linux running on a respberry pi. I will have to use qt to write the whole interface so. Stay tuned!

[jellish]

Originally Posted by RichardR0404

Sounds like everyone is interested in the gauge cluster replacement. We will start working on that. For the gauge cluster replacement we might just not use android at all, might just use a lightweight linux running on a respberry pi. I will have to use qt to write the whole interface so. Stay tuned!

Not a fan of qt personally, but if you can get it working more power to you! Speaking from experience on graphically intense embedded systems, you would be much better off doing a webkit based UI and tie that in to your backend for data via something like REST/WebSockets. It will make developing a pretty/interactive UI much easier.

[jellish]

Actually if you want I can completely duplicate the BMW 6WB style UI in a page, then you would just need to implement the backend. Would be a fun little project.

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by neuroclast

Actually if you want I can completely duplicate the BMW 6WB style UI in a page, then you would just need to implement the backend. Would be a fun little project.

The hardest part isn't duplicate UI, it is easily doable.


Still thinking how to do the map page kinda thing. I am thinking use open map but open map is kinda garbage.... There is a Garmin navi version available for QNX and Linux, even windows ce. I am not sure if I am able to get data from the iDrive map data (which is kinda impossible), but if I am able to I would like to do this. Do you have any idea how the map kinda work?