Slashdot Mirror
Dashboard Linux
zebziggle writes "The dashPC has Global Positioning (GPS) and Navigation, DVDs, Games (Quake 3, SoF, UT), Address book database, etc. It can run any programs that will run on an Intel/AMD i686 class computer. There is a Basic Stamp micro-controller that interfaces the Linux box to the car ignition for controlled boot/shutdown." The article says Linux, but that screenshot tells a different story. The website has other stuff and a lot more pictures.
Now when I get hit on my bike again by a car, instead of the old "i was on my cell" they will "i was in the middle of recompiling my kernel..." to the officer
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, not just chemistry, reality!
In addition the the screenshots that look a whole lot like Windows to me....I noticed that on the features page it shows a car which isn't even available in the US (yet the car has Florida Plates)---the Jetta 2 Door!
Something about this site seems awfully fishy.
-Julius X
remove "-whatkindofspamdoyoutakemefor-" from email to send
Imagine a ten car pile-up of these!
Takahashi Rumiko made beats! DON, taku, DON, taku. . .
Are you sure he didnt just pick a Windoz look-alike frame style? His site says Red Hat Linux 7.1
"Love is a familiar; Love is a devil: there is no evil angel but Love." --William Shakespeare ('Love's Labors Lost')
On the other hand, for kids in the back seat with head phones, maybe quiet trips will make a comeback.
"Da ist ein Technölüst in mein Unterpanten!"
Do drivers really need any more distractions? They're supposed to be watching the road, rather than whomping through pedestrians. Why the hell would you want to play UT in the car? Frag a few people at the traffic lights? The real kicker is that it doesn't actually run when the engine is off. Hooray! :)
However, the rather pointless walnut styling on the keyboard really sells the thing to me
What with all the automobile modifications for running computers, the next logical step is to simply replace the windshield with a monitor.
Cameras mounted on the front of the car would provide the driver with images from the road. The rest of the 'screen' could be divided into whatever the user(s) would like.
Say the passenger wants to play Quake, he opens a window and plays it on the right side, while the screen in the middle plays The Lion King for the kids in the back.
This would also allow stronger bodies on cars, as the composite used in place of windows would be far stronger than glass.
Talisman
"Study your math, kids. Key to the universe." -The Archangel Gabriel
I forgot to mention that its not just the widgets...but the Winamp/Nullsoft for Windows icons too.
And WHO in their right minds uses fake woodgrain on a Jetta? That makes the entire car look sooo cheezy!
-Julius X
remove "-whatkindofspamdoyoutakemefor-" from email to send
it's allready mentioned in the blurb lazerbrain...
I hope they come out with a driving game for this.
The software page talks about vmware and win98 being installed for the GPS/Street Atlas software. On the screen shot they might have taken the windows view, although it seems to be running just a bit more then GPS software there.
Is there no good Linux GPS/Atlas stuff out there? Maybe someone should give them a pointer to it.
Article about the dangers of car PC's and cell phones use while driving.
Best Slashdot Co
If you look at the dashpc.com site, he mentions that he's running VMWare for Windows 98 access to the GPS software.
"My God...It's full of ads!" -Fry, about the Internet, Futurama
Hmm, just like the Best Buy circular I got yesterday - the front was all about a Sony Vaio Pentium 4 with Windows XP, but of course the screen shot was showing Mac OS (and not OS X either). You may have seen it - the screenshot was an email program with a mail being composed about getting one of the new N'Sync bobble-head (there's a redundant statement) dolls. If technology companies can't get their ads straight, it's no wonder that the rest of the world is so confused about what's what.
Your right to not believe: Americans United for Separation of Church and
did anybody catch anything on either site that explains how the realtime weather information got in there? There's no mention of a mobile data link, other than GPS. Is GPS capable of relaying this type of information?
Take a large dose of computing power, throw in a dash of hackerism how-to, and top with a smattering of WiFi... beowulf supercomputing on the (real) highway!!!
Now those long, traffic-jam laden commutes might not be so bad for society after all- just add a little distributed computing.
Do you like Japanese imports?
Nope, not me, I must be someone else...
*My* passengers are to busy praying not to die, while I navigate my bmw @ 2xSpeed Limit speeds.
-- www.globaltics.net
Political discussion for a new world
can you imagine a Steppenwolf Cluster of these??? Now *that's* a magic car-pet ride!!!
I can't tell a lot from the screenshots other than a default Win desktop with some Winamp shortcuts. I was wondering if this is that "Mobile Windows" thing from Microsoft that is supposed to be specific for automobiles? OTOH this looks more like a standard small-footprint PC than anything else.
If so then it's probably nothing new - just clever wiring and some GPS software.
I have to say though, the keyboard seems mighty stupid. And games??? I mean, maybe in a traffic jam but I can't see the point.
Devices like these need to be voice controlled, if anything. Actually, someone needs to come up with an input device that can be mounted in the steering wheel and functions as both a mouse and basic keyboard, maybe even support for gestures and so on.
Oh, and definitely put the display in a HUD or something. More people have died from looking down to change the radio station than hit by trains at intersections =)
Anyway, there is many practical uses for this. However, a sticker should state: "Don't surf and drive!"
Achille Talon
Hop!
Am i the only one who visited the "software" section of the site? for everyone's benefit:
* Red Hat Linux 7.1
* M$ Windows 98 installed on VMWare for Linux (used only for GPS/Street Atlas RWE)
* VMWare for Linux
* XMMS (Linux)
* StreetAtlas Road Warrior Edition
so the answer is: yes, indeed the screens do look like windows, because they are.
christian.
See this comment.
It might be that the screenshots are of a "proof-of-concept" prototype that had Win98 loaded, but Linux will be loaded on the "production" version...
If (as has been previously suggested) this is not much more than a mini-PC with some additional extra stuff to manage a graceful shutdown, then replacing a full Win98 install with a Linux install should not be too difficult.
And he wouldn't have to may the M$ tax.
Just my C$0.02...
grnbrg
What I am looking for is a single DIN GPS system.
I have a WRX with an area for a gauge pod on the dash that could hold a single din unit, I saw someone had mounted a Kenwood there.
Does anyone know if such a beast exists?
Seems like the GPS could be used as an alternate controller for Quake.... Then head on out to your neighborhood salt flats... Actually, you could do this now with a GPS and a laptop :)
There are 10 types of people in this world, those who can count in binary and those who can't.
This is great.
I've put a system in my car that does a few of these things. It's based on a regular x86 system, but uses straight DC-DC for power (eats less power). The BASIC STAMP I used (BS2-SX) is set up to power up the computer on ignition and it can start the car on a signal from the computer, as well. I'm in the process of setting my trunk button on my keyless entry to turn on the computer instead. I have a 5" LCD (no touchscreen yet!) and tiny keyboard (keypad next to the LCD, too).
So far it has integratio with my GPS: moving map, output to my stereo, 802.11b (to work on it from my home, transfer music, etc), and the beginning of an interface to my car's CPU and testing system.
I'm using a big deep-cycle battery to power it (charges from car) when the car isn't on, but I really just want to make it more low-power from the bottom up. My car is pretty light-weight anyway (RX-7), so I'd like to lose the battery eventually.
This is mostly spare parts and home-built electronics, though, so I spent less than $200 on it as it is. My entire CD collection is in it in fairly high bitrate mp3/ogg files.
Once the car CPU interface is complete, I can have all sorts of useless realtime stats to look at instead of the road!
Now I just need retractable wings and I'm set. (Maybe oil-slick and caltrops, too!)
If you want a vision of the future, imagine a youtube comments section scrolling - forever.
You can watch a DVD, make a call, or play Half life while running over pedestirans...
I can not wait till cars start to fly and we have them start to hit buildings and fall from the sky so distracted drivers can kill people by the score. Because one or two at time is what we seem to be limited to now...
So you'd actually have /dev/engine, /dev/wheel[0123] . . . Some stuff under /proc to report stats and the like. You'd have things like "steerd" running in the background to handle steering. Get a remote interet connection up and you could even SSH into your car to diagnose engine problems! Think of the possibilities!
You could even use the standard Linux sound structure to deal with your car's audio system. /dev/audio and the like. Have mpg123 for mp3s, some cd player to deal with CDs. Heck, since we're doing mp3s now, you could actually serve mp3s up to OTHER cars running Linux! We could probably hack up Gnutella to do some keen P2P stuff. ("Damn, I forgot my NIN CD at home. But wait! That Honda over there is sharing them! Great!")
Of course, then you've gotta worry about people h4x0ring into your car. That'd bite. We'd have to make sure there's some pretty thorough iptables rules going on . . . And what happens if your kernel panics? Doh! Probably not the best situation to be running a "testing" kernel on. I can see the website now: "Well, the bug that was causing engine meltdowns was fixed in 2.5.13-pre5, so I suggest everyone upgrade . . ."
Gives a whole new meaning to the whole "no warranty implied" thing, eh? Would you want the preemptible kernel patches on that thing?
So what do most cars actually run on, anyway?
Al Qaeda has ninjas!
First, can it download my e-mail? Second, can it read my e-mail, and maybe e-books, to me, using a text to speech synthesizer? Third, can it read it to me in a pleasing female voice?
I am not a lawyer. Do not take my words as legal advice. If you need legal advice, consult an attorney.
In-Dash PC emmulating windows: US$1,000
802.11b Wireless LAN card: US$120
Airsnort: Free
Sending a WinPopUp that says "YOU ARE AN IDIOT" to the moron who just cut you off: Priceless
For some things there are hand signals, for everything else, there's Linux.
This would be much more useful with a headsup display.
Nooface
In Search of the Post-PC Interface
Anyone care to write a parallel parking script for this?
/dev/wheel
/dev/accelerator
/dev/accelerator
/dev/wheel
/dev/gear
cat "right 30" >
cat "25" >
sleep 2
cat "0" >
cat "left 30" >
cat "reverse" >
Why run Linux when your GPS software and other apps are native Windows apps? Just so you can say "Look at me! I'm one of the l33T linux dudez!"?
If you want to run Quake, UT, Winamp (or equivalent), and commercial GPS mapping software, you need Windows, not Linux. Of course, there's always someone with a really big hammer, a square peg, and a round hole...
Other than that, i still think it's just stupid.
the must be a reason why you're so negative about this project. i've set up a similar system in my GTI and now cannot live without it.
you either own a piece of shit of a car, or you're angry because you've been unsuccessful in your projects.
So you can play Carmegeddon while driving? There's just something inherently screwy about that. Or playing a racing game while stuck in a traffic jam. Yesh the irony.
-cpd
My car was stolen a few months ago, and I got it back after about five weeks. From now on, when my car starts up, I want it to note where it is, take a picture of whoever's starting it up, and upload that information to a hidden FTP directory at my ISP.
The next time some asshole takes my car, I want to be able to e-mail their picture and location to the SFPD.
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
brings a whole new meaning to "Fatal Error."
No wonder everyone is confused - the original link points to an article that only mentions Christopher's project. Full site can be found at http://www.dashpc.com where he explains everything! (from where to get that flat screen to why he uses windows running on top of linux)
Please mod up so other people can actually find useful info.
P.S. Is anyone else pissed at VW for not bringing their in-dash navigation system that is available for Passat in Europe?
Maybe they used the STAMP because it was readily available, and easy to make changes to while in development?
Jesus Christ, why not just paint over the windows with black spray paint, and go driving around in the mall. You won't be using the windows to see, between a computer, a dvd player, and a cell phone, why bother with such lame things as WATCHING WHERE YOU'RE DRIVING.
badger
The basic stamp is used to turn the thing on and shut it down, how much speed does it need??? Basic is easy to learn and painless to use for small applicaitons like this. Why would you go through the trouble of using something so much more complicated to do such a simple task. 16k is a lot of memory just to send a signal to the motherboard that the key changed position. I thought it was a pretty good idea myself...
In previous articles folks were talking about how their own DashPCs were lifted from their car. It seems the most inviting thing to the thief (from the outside) would be that fancy LCD.
So I've been thinking about this. Some implementations are for relatively simple things like MP3 playing. Would it be possible to use, say, your Visor or Palm that's collecting dust and use its infrared or some other wireless protocol to make it: 1) Act as a remote; and 2) Act as a display? When you leave the car, you bring your hand-held with you, and the only thing Johnny Momo sees from the outside is your stock stereo. It's above and beyond me how you'd do this, but it seems trivial compared to what some folks have already done.
Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown.
I mean, that looks really damn cool, but it's in a goddamn jetta!
"The crows seemed to be calling his name, thought Caw."
I have thought of hooking up a PC in my car, but since I live in Chicago and I have have always wondered if the HDDs would be able to withstand the potholes in the road...ie will I start seeing a lot of bad sectors and read/write errors ?
R
DRM? No thanks, I'll just get it somewhere else...
Some people actually have passengers in their cars.
#!/usr/bin/perl
open(INFILE,"while () {
if ($_ eq "[SHUTDOWN]\r\n") {
exec("/sbin/shutdown -h now");
}
}
Let's see!
H:\>perl
'PERL' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
There you have it.
DMCA, Hollings, Palladium. What might have sounded like paranoia is now common sense.
Mirror available here.
[Got Hosting?]
Then you imagine a car with too much horsepower, with Quake controlled by the wheel, the gas pedal, etc. All of which are still connected to their usual stuff as well. And the engine is running, the tank is filled.
:)
:)
Man, what a ride.
Then for the ultimate rush, the magic mushroom and the extra life, try navigating out from an ugly, cluttered and foreign-tounged bloat-portal. using Konquerer attached to the same navigation system.
The LCD he uses for the dash will last exactly 1 week in any US location above mid-ohio.
LCD's die when they freeze and most every LCD from his listed source are rated only down to 20 degrees F michigan get's to -1 -2 on a regular basis every winter (except this winter, it was 65 yesterday) and in minnesota it gets to -15 at least twice.
the best choice for an LCD is something designed for vehicle use which has a wide temperature range. Nothing from his supplier is useable in a vehicle in the upper 40% of the northern hemisphere.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
The right game for this is, of course, Carmageddon.
"The cost of freedom is eternal vigilance." -Thomas Jefferson
I think I can do one better. For fun, I hacked my Dodge Avenger. Starting by adding one of Kenwood's highly featured KDC-X917 radios. Plus CD Changer. Then got the hacked the din pinout for the cdchanger. Then hooked the dinpin out to a pic16c57, allowing me a little expansion. From the Pic, I go to a homebrew 500mhz machine, running linux, also hooked to the "aux" input on the CD changer, giving me yet another source on the radio. When on Aux on the radio, the left and right(skip buttons) then control my MP3 player. Anyone else with similair setups, or am I the only one with too much free time on my hands? When I get some info pics, I'll post them...
Just don't ever put on Grand Theft Auto 1,2 or 3.. just too much temptation.
make Linux, not Microsoft. sin(beast) = -0.809016994374947424102293417182819
He's got Win98 running under VMWare.
(Did you even look at the links?)
Cool setup, actually. Too bad he had to have M$ just for the GPS support (DeLorme).
Interestingly enough, everyone has mentioned BSODs, etc, but has missed the big reason for not replacing a windshield with a monitor, probably because most of you take it for granted. You won't get depth perception with a monitor screen. It's amazing how much more difficult someone who uses depth perception day in and day out finds it when it's removed. For example, try this test. Hold your fingers pointing towards themselves at about 3/4 your total arm length at different distances away from you. Now touch them together. Now try the same trick, starting with your hands beside you, but before you hold them up, close one eye.
Kids: Don't try driving your parents' car with one eye closed.
I've never had depth perception, and I'm here to tell you I leave a lot more space when I'm driving then most people because of it.
On the whole, I find that I prefer Slashdot posts to twitter ones because I don't get limited to 140 chars before
sleep 2
cat "STOP!" >/dev/accelerator
make Linux, not Microsoft. sin(beast) = -0.809016994374947424102293417182819
Where is the wireless card? This thing needs to have a wireless card so if someone brings their laptop along they can share mp3's and more. Also it would be kickass to write a discovery protocal across wifi, so as Im cruisin down the high way I can message the hot chick in the other lane. The other thing its missing is the built in cell phone and backup batteries. You need to be able to call into car no even if somone cuts the electrical and get fix via GPS, that way your smart bomb can target a car thief in seconds.
...duh! You've probably never seen a real BMW either (the ones with the Werke symbol on the corner of the trunk).
Lots of guys in the service get stationed overseas, pick up sweet Euro cars and bring 'em home. (And they can make a killing shipping American muscle cars over there too).
The company that makes dashPC has hired Meatloaf to provide a theme song for their product: "Paradise by the Dashboard Linux".
(moderation: -9, agonizingly-painful wordplay)
ChicagoFan
No, look again. It's running 9x, and the email window is pasted into the shot. It has a start button but a Mac title bar in the program. (assuming it's the same Best Buy ad) Morons... "I need a coookie..."
-Patrick
"They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
Does the car run Windows or Linux?
It runs linux. The first generation of it had windows installed. On the other hand, the first generation was a 10.4" LCD screen too.
I'm guessing that's where the screenshots of the Windows desktop come from.
Further down there's also this question, which explains why he made the switch:
What plugins do you use with Winamp?
I no longer use Winamp. I use XMMS for linux now. Windows sucks. Period. But you knew that already.
Yes, we did know that already. :)
Frogs are primitive animals - so the occasional extra toe is not that unusual. But this is very unusual.
Hmmm, I'll look when I get home. If so, that's an even lamer ad than I'd thought. Some ad agency had to fake a Mac email program and paste it onto a Windows computer. I can't believe they went to so much work to make their advertisement incorrect - it boggles the mind.
Your right to not believe: Americans United for Separation of Church and
This would give an all new meaning to system crash.
I know, I know. I'm just lucky there isn't a "Punny (-1)" moderation category.
-"Zow"
Uhm.... as I said there is a big difference between basic (the language) and the bs stamp (an actual board, with sevral chips and lots of supporting components). With PICs, you can program the chips in basic, but you must compile it first, which even the average windows luser can do. Not to mention that the Stamp costs (retail) around $50 more than a single chip. Plus there are the other advantages of a single chip (low power consumption, less points of failure, smaller boards), and they can still be reprogrammed if need be over a three-wire serial interface (Vss, Vdd, signal). The 16K ram size was just one of the variations. If you look on microchip.com you'll see that there is a wide variety down to 1K if you only needed that much...
Ugh. Forget it... no offense, but you are clearly not knowledgable about this type of thing. I just think a 8 (or 16) pin PLCC or S mount chip and a resonator is preferable to a 2"x4" board (see reasons above).
--
#nohup cat
I designed the dashpc, and I agree with you fully. Now I am at the refinement stage and I'm looking into using a PIC to replace the BS2. The learning curve on the PIC was too steep (in asm) and at the time I just wanted to "do" this project. The BS2 was simple and cheap, so I went with it. As I make the transition to a PIC, if you'd like to offer any assistance, I'd be much obliged. Contact me via the site, or my email above.
Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
So where are the details for the Basic Stamp so we can build one of these ourselves? Some programming instructions for the Stamp or a circuit diagram would be cool.
Does this mean I can play gta while driving? :)
linuxhelpnetwork.homelinux.net