August 9, 2008 by Rob.

This has been brewing for a while.  Here is a sample that GreenMonk linked to a BusinessWeek article talking about Google’s interest in computers for EVs:

Google is also betting that the future of transportation will be networked and controlled via software, just like our laptops and gadgets. And not just connected via the Internet, but through the network of the power grid, too. Rolf Schreiber, an engineer with RechargeIT, says that beyond these initial investments, Google is also looking to back companies that build software that can control the rate at which plug-in vehicles charge. And much the way Google has built a business of providing information via the web, the company could add its broadband expertise to the future of connected transportation. Schreiber, for example, recently completed a test of Google’s own, in-house plug-in vehicles, using wireless communications and GPS to determine that the cars are getting more than 93 miles per gallon.

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May 20, 2008 by Rob.

A friend who has been patiently endured the intersection of cars and computers interests forwarded an interesting article about “.car” computing.  Who would have suspected that there is already a Connected Vehicle Trade Association?

The article does not have much to say except that it looks like we’re in for a long meaningless standards process on cars.  My prediction is they either:

1. follow existing standards without any real differences (most likely)
2. are dominated by a single company that can set a de facto standard (e.g.: MS or Google?)

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May 13, 2008 by Rob.

Oh, I did. Here’s a link to an NPR story about monitoring drivers to improve their driving efficiency. It turns out that you can boost mileage 10-20% if you give people feedback about the cost of their bad habits.

As part of my thinking about EVs, I’d considered starting a company around this idea. It turns out that putting useful computers into people’s cars is both painful and expensive. You’d have to save a lot of gas to make this work. That doesn’t mean I’ve given up on it though…

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May 24, 2007 by Rob.

I was pricing out the computer tonight and it’s $$$.  About $750.  I guess spending 10% of the project $ on the computer is inline with my expectations, but…

Here is what I’m considering:

1. Case, Power Supply & Board: I like this board b/c it has the flash slot & PC card built-in.  It also has a fan
2. 7″ touch screen: this display seems like a good mix with the best mounting options
3. PicoLCD display: this would be the main UI for the driver
4. 512 MB RAM, 2 to 4 MB Flash
5. Wireless N (external range extending antenna)
6. USB GPS

Posted in Computer, Planning | 1 Comment »

May 17, 2007 by Rob.

I’ve been looking into gettin’ me some of them car brains.  I especially like this model Mini-ITX because it has built in flash reader and PCMCIA.  The down side is that it requires a cooling fan (battery draw).

I was pricing out the wireless car and saw a Wi-Fi N PCI card that included an external long range antenna.  Pricey, but that may be just the ticket!

I still have to pick a monitor.  More on that later.

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April 30, 2007 by Rob.

Here is a link to the ill-fated Windows CE release that was embedded into the BMW iDrive.

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March 22, 2007 by Rob.

There is an active discussion about data logging on the EVDL and I wanted to capture some of the interesting links here.  A recent post included a reference to a IOTech A/D Card.

Posted in Computer, EV Tech | 1 Comment »

February 5, 2007 by Rob.

I had an interesting idea about my A/D needs for the computer data logging.  Data logging will allow my on-board computer to track the voltage & current draw as I drive.  It occurred to me that some multi-meters include serial/USB outputs.  Since I already need a MM it makes sense to get one that can also be my data logger.

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January 24, 2007 by Rob.

I wanted to upload some pictures related to recent posts. (On flickr with comments)
This is the axle well that I’m planning to use for batteries (6 hopefully). I need to make some cardboard forms to make sure I have room. It will be close. The exhaust pipe should give clearance for the 2/0 wire from the far side of the pack.

Here is a the center console from the dash. It shows that space is very tight for a display. The area under the radio is about 3″ more forward than the radio and not a good location for a display.

Posted in Pictures, Computer, Planning, EV Tech | 1 Comment »

January 21, 2007 by Rob.

I’ve been thinking more about the on-board computer and looking for accessories. I found a potential USB GPS Receiver: the Haicom HI-204III-USB is a basic receiver designed for laptop integration. I could position anywhere with a sky view including externally. I want to automatically log location, direction, speed, amps, & voltage.

The other components I will need include A/D Inputs (USB) and some output drivers (USB). I also need WiFi (via USB or PCI). BlueTooth (via USB) would be awesome as a driver ID. I’ll only have 1 PCI, so I want make good choices.

I have limited places to put a big LCD Touchscreen so I’m looking for alternatives. If I mount it, it would mainly be for passenger use. Mini-Box has a cool picoLCD (2 lines) that is USB and includes outputs. This would be a fine driver status display.

I’m back to considering Linux as the right choice, so everything needs to be Linux compatible. I know you’re wondering: Ubuntu is the lead choice right now.
Note: My EV system comes with a stand-alone battery & amp gauge, so anything on the computer will be secondary. For safety, driving systems are dedicated function.

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