11 Dec 2006
The Mighty Carputer
I have spent some time installing a Mac Mini in my car. It’s an ongoing project and far from finished - but the results are good enough to be shown to the discerning DIY:happy crowd now. Features include easy touch-screen media control, war-driving tools, mobile internet (1mbps down, 300kbps up according to my tests), GPS, and more.
I have started working on security features as well - remote GPS tracking of the car as well as the ability to remote execute scripts on the computer itself which automatically uploads it’s IP address to my server each time it connects to the net. Security systems are independent and redundant.
Check it out in a five part series on my personal blog. 1-4 deal with construction, skip to the last post if you just want to see the results.
Carputer 1 - LCD and front panel
Carputer 2 - A tragic tale of defeat
Carputer 3 - Resolution
Carputer 4 - Installation
Carputer 5 - Final Product
Tags:Features
[...] It was a hot, sunny weekend in San Mateo this year at the second annual Maker Faire, and I have the sun burned face to prove it. Our project, the computer-intergrated WRX (mentioned before), was located on the grass near the main back entrance to the fairgrounds, and right next to The Crucible’s various fire making machines. It was funny to see everyone jump when the crucible shot fire when the DIY:happy crew was used to it after the first few hours. [...]
[...] It was a hot, sunny weekend in San Mateo this year at the second annual Maker Faire, and I have the sun burned face to prove it. Our project, the computer-intergrated WRX (mentioned before), was located on the grass near the main back entrance to the fairgrounds, and right next to The Crucible’s various fire making machines. It was funny to see everyone jump when the crucible shot fire when the DIY:happy crew was used to it after the first few hours. [...]
I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve run across this post. That’s probably the coolest auto accessory I’ve ever seen, not to mention the single best use for a Mac mini. The fact that it’s not just in-car entertainment and actually serves to enhance the protection of your automobile is most impressive. I foresee picking out a PC (or Mac) model to be installed in one’s new car purchase as being a standard feature in the relatively near future. Well done!