VIKI [Virtual Interactive Key Ignition] - A personal project

 

So I just purchased an 89 Cadillac... This is the type of car you'd see your grandma riding around in, all hyped about the motorized seats... While none of this is specially interesting, it's a fairly fun project idea, but just for the record... I've not actually started on it yet, but I'll post pics when I start... :)

Before I purchased the car I was notified that it was missing the key... Now as you can probably guess this presented quite the problem, so I got my handy screwdriver and went to tearing out the column and finally got the key position over to "ON"... At which point the car politely notified me that it was potentially being stolen and that it would kindly refuse to start. This particular model featured an anti-theft chip in the key, which obviously wasn't present... So after calling in a quick favor from some other tech friends and a box full of resisters and the sort, that issue was fixed. Unfortunately, the car will always think it's on and drain my battery unless I install some custom switches for the Accessory, Ignition as well as some-sort of a manual push button starter. Now comes the fun part.

Nobody likes jerry-rigged equipment, so over the course of a few days I began laying out plans to fit the car with a fully computerized system that controlled anything from headlamps to starting the car, all from a touchscreen interface. It's probably going to cost me a little more then most other projects I've done once it's said and done, but don't worry I'll list everything with detail.

Firstly, I'll need some low-end PC to power this system. I'm going to develop my own software in C# or AutoIt, so I'll probably go with a Windows based OS as well... A stripped down variant of XP should suffice as a decent embedded OS. I suppose if I'm going 100% legal, I'd need legit licensing for Windows XP Embedded. This part won't cost me anything, for now, because I have both an old junk computer in the basement and an extra copy of XP sitting around. Secondly, I'll need a Relay controller that can easily interface with this PC, for simplicity I chose an 8-Channel USB Relay controller. Now that we have the controlling module and a processing interface, we'll need an input and output of some sort... The most compact method would be a touchscreen so we can simultaneously see a screen and interact with it, without any need for other equipment... A 9'' USB Touchscreen would suffice, or a mount for common smart-phones.

According to the schematics I've put together, I'll be utilizing 100% of the controller's resources... Here is how I'm allocating my relays... Keep in mind, everything I allocate to a relay can be controlled via the touchscreen, also everything that isn't tied to the controller cannot be programatically controlled without a bigger controller board...

1.) Accessory [Same as turning your key back in a car for the radio]

2.) Ignition [Ready to start the engine now - Fuel pump is active]

3.) Trunk Hatch [Trunk opener]

4.) Fuel lid opener

5.) Starter [So I can programatically start my engine without a manual button]

6.) Low-beam [Headlights]

7.) High-beam [Headlights]

8.) Hazard Lights [Really just an extra]

----- This is a very crude and simple write-up. As of the 2014 revision, I have switched to a 16 channel USB relay controller.

I didn't really know what to use for Relay 8, so I may actually allocate it to the doorlocks so I can unlock my car from my phone or something... We'll just have to see.

I'm probably going to mount the motherboard in a custom aluminum case [might look a bit like an AMP] under the trunk lid so it'll be easily accessible. Without a key, I'm obviously going to need someway to lock my doors so my equipment doesn't get stolen, so I might end up installing some sort of remote lock/unlock system in combination with the computer controlled peripherals. So far, this is as far as I've gotten is planning... Expect updates soon! :)

In the 2014 revision, almost all details have been completed, but are not yet available to the public.