Does anyone know what software this is?! (GTR Style Gauges)

[cjm41]

I'm a bit neurotic and like to have everything monitored at all times and be able to view it all at a glance. I've been looking at the Awron gauge which i think is super cool, but it's expensive and I'm not keen on giving up an AC vent in Florida. I'd be more likely to do the Macht Schnell pod before the Awron gauge to be honest.

Basically- I'm wondering if any has seen this majestic mod I just found on YouTube. Custom, I'm sure, but what software and hardware would one, theoretically, need to reproduce this. Anyone know??

I believe he says the software name at some point. I couldn't make it out.

[Redd]

You can do that with Torque app and an ELM327 OBD2 dongle.

The secret tho is that he has Android integrated into his iDrive. You can do that with an AVIN Android head unit.

So the bits you need are:
1. AVIN Android head unit
2. ELM327 WIFI OBD2 dongle
3. Torque app

[Aktavate]

Sounds like hes saying aCarputer and looks like thats the name under the app

[cjm41]

Thanks guys. I'm actually a couple hours into researching this right now and determining if there is a way to develop a product/software with commercial viability.

I didn't find much about the aComputer but I'm somewhat down a path with AutoPi - i don't know if that's something that could be integrated into a commercial unit and have a fully customized interface.

I'll keep digging!

[Redd]

aCarputer! Good ear!

However v1.0 was released in 2015 and it hasn't been updated since then. It's not on Play Store, need to download it and sideload.

Let me test it out this weekend.

[cjm41]

Originally Posted by Redd

aCarputer! Good ear!

However v1.0 was released in 2015 and it hasn't been updated since then. It's not on Play Store, need to download it and sideload.

Let me test it out this weekend.

Are you aware of any reputable/comparable open source software- preferably something that runs on a unix-based system?

[Redd]

Sorry bud I'm a bit of an android enthusiast, but not that familiar with Unix.

[cjm41]

Originally Posted by Redd

Sorry bud I'm a bit of an android enthusiast, but not that familiar with Unix.

Actually already ordered the Rasberry Pi, 7" screen, OBD II Bluetooth adapter, new radio trim kit to build out the retrofit, found all the code I need on github, now I just need to familiarize myself with Python and startup sequences, and figure out how to skin the car's data to make the gauges.

I'm not 100% sure of what I'm doing but my brother is a master tech and we're going to work together to make something pretty nice between his car tech background and my developer and UI/interface design background.

There's likely more to it, but I figure this is a start!

[Redd]

Maybe a bit late to say this, but why not just go one of the tons of Android stick devices available out there? Bluetooth, WiFi ready. Full USB OTG support. Full access to Google Play Store. With HDMI port. You just need to figure out how to get the HDMI output ported to the iDrive.

[cjm41]

Originally Posted by Redd

Maybe a bit late to say this, but why not just go one of the tons of Android stick devices available out there? Bluetooth, WiFi ready. Full USB OTG support. Full access to Google Play Store. With HDMI port. You just need to figure out how to get the HDMI output ported to the iDrive.

Not really willing to give up navigation/media. I'd like to leave the idrive as it sits. Plus I don't feel like battling with the CCC/CIC differences.

Also if I'm going to spend time the time on something I'd prefer to make it self-contained. I'd rather have a "prototype" of a product containing an unbranded motherboard and power supply, unbranded monitor in a single plug-and-play unit. Providing this works out well I'd like to be able to make multiple versions for different cars.

Ultimately this would be sort of an OEM++ look and feel, we're already tossing around the idea of custom splash screens, data retention, etc etc.

Not that it may ever turn into anything more than a fun project. If it doesn't look absolutely flawless I'd never put it in my car anyway. But on the off-chance I could turn this into something more, I want to do it right the first time.

[MJBO]

The plug and play Android units leave the original iDrive system completely intact and functional. You can easily swap between them with a button press.

No lose nothing of the original functionality, and gain an integrated android device that you can run any number of preexisting apps including engine monitoring.

[Aktavate]

If youre looking for a project go for it, but it sounds like what you want to do can be done with an android unit from avinusa, etc and the torque app.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

If youre looking for a project go for it, but it sounds like what you want to do can be done with an android unit from avinusa, etc and the torque app.

Yes exactly. I have an Android 4.4 head unit (new ones are 7.1) and it coexists perfectly with original iDrive. In fact, iDrive and original nav looks much much better due to the hi-res LCD panel from the Android head unit. So everything original iDrive still works, and you can switch seamlessly between Android and iDrive with a long-press of the Menu button (CIC).

It's really the best of both worlds.

[Redd]

Btw I tested aCarputer app. I think it was specifically written for a fixed display resolution and did not scale properly on either my mobile phone, or on my car Android headunit. The meters look cut off and not usable, and no option to adjust the display.

Real pity cos it looked like a nice app otherwise.

[cjm41]

I guess what I was thinking was I wasn't willing to choose between nav/media - or - gauges being displayed at any given time. That was my intent with the additional screen.

I going to also dabble with the android route as mentioned above. I could also make an android and iPhone app (although iPhone apps are a headache).

Either way I need to familiarize myself with the software. The gauges in the video above are cool but not perfect.

It's just a personal project- but as mentioned if I'm going to head down a path it would be cool if it was a self-contained unit that could double as a prototype. I could also, theoretically create a glove box unit that plugs into the CCC/CIC screen as well.

[Redd]

The easiest way to do an additional screen is just mount a small Android tablet to the car. Easy peasy. The most complex part of that is just making the mounting.

[cjm41]

Originally Posted by Redd

The easiest way to do an additional screen is just mount a small Android tablet to the car. Easy peasy. The most complex part of that is just making the mounting.

After a couple days of poking around online doing more research and taking some of your input it does seem that Android would be the safest bet, maybe an integration like the Avin one.

Ultimately- It makes most sense to do an android integration and build an android app to suit my needs.

[GORDON.M3]

avin screen with android overlay on the original cic unit.
the software is buggy and not perfect. its just a theme to replicate the GTR gauges.

[Redd]

Yeah you could probably build the same theme in Torque app.

[E90_M3_Dubai]

Actually that was my video I posted it long time back when I had the CCC idrive , its basically an android mini pc stick .. and the app was called aCarputer , it had the GTR gauge layout

[Redd]

Originally Posted by cjm41

Ultimately- It makes most sense to do an android integration and build an android app to suit my needs.

If you do go Android and build the app, pls show it to us!

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by E90_M3_Dubai

Actually that was my video I posted it long time back when I had the CCC idrive , its basically an android mini pc stick .. and the app was called aCarputer , it had the GTR gauge layout

Do you know where I can get the animated M3 logo you have? Love that! I would actually make it my boot screen.

I went the same route as a android pc/stick plugged into an interface. If you have an integrated android, you cant upgrade it. Also, i can do all the setup and tickering from my comfy couch. When im itching to upgrade, I can work out all the bugs before putting it in the car.

For my gauges, I used Widgets For Torque on my home screen. The home screen app i used is called Nova Launcher. With Nova, you can resize widgets so essentially you can completely customize your layout with not only torque guages but music and any other widgets. You can have multiple home screens too if you cant all in one.