Designed with the supprot and feedback of our community, the fusion brain guys have done it again – At midnight EST today they released version 4 of their fusion brain control center.
Improvements over Brain v3:
16 Digital Outputs
13 Analog Inputs
Selectable Power Source (USB or 12vDC Jack)
30% smaller form factor (70mm X 45mm)
Better power filtering and protection
Ability to update firmware via USB
Ability to update firmware via ICSP header in event of bootloader corruption
Improved signal routing for analog inputs
Pulse Width Modulation, 256 steps with 42uS minimum pulse width (may need firmware update, provided free and uploadable over USB)
Previous versions of the fusion brain have been used for:
Magden has a current business model of selling an x86 PC with their linux gauge software. I can see how this would be great for people who don't want to integrate their own apps and want the power of a computer in their car with less setup hassle. We strongly encouraged the magden team to consider the sale of their software and hardware to the community, even if they release it with little or no support. Talk about this on our forums.
We thought the forum members of mp3car made the first car computer in the late 90s. Wrong. Done by the ghostbuster guys first in 1984. See our video for 20 seconds of ghost busting fun.
Who made the first car computer? If you made the first car computer, tell us about it. Help us document history.
Even thought this isn’t super techie, we decided to take a few minutes to check out rescue tape since they won an award this year.
Where was wardrobe in this scene? My collar is sticking up and my shirt is wrinkled. Expect a blast of videos over the next 2 days. I slowed down editing a bit to attend a three day
wedding over the weekend.
At Azentek's SEMA booth, we interviewed Donnie to hear a little bit about their new navigation smart mirror product. Windows Mobile devices really don’t fall in mp3car’s sweet spot, but this is an interesting form factor for a PND. Without giving it a full run through or a drive test, this mirror seems like it would be perfect for users who wants something that works out of the box.
So What is happening with their car computing efforts? Azentek is no longer bringing their original double din car PC into production and are starting on a brand new double din model which will be on display at CES, but not available for purchase until Q1 or Q2 2009.
The main features of this redesigned product set for release at CES will be increased tolerances to environmental and shock extremes as well as the ability for users to upgrade the Intel processor. More details will be available at CES.
Azentek also confirmed that Centrafuse is their software platform of choice and they will be using that in a modified Azentek branded form for the release at CES.
The Chinese manufacturer Bluestar has been making double din all in one units for a few years now. Online carPC retailers digitalww and hipepc have stocked blue star's products in the past but those retailers have now closed up shop.
We expect to test samples within the next few months to see if this something mp3Car will offer in the store. So far so good!
To kick this off, we are going to start with our interview with Ben Harris about Ride Magazine's outlook on car computing as well as details about the tour through New York Apple stores with Ride's Mac'ed out Hyundai.
Expect to see some more video tomorrow from SEMA about this car and other topics:
How they made the Hyundai Genesis, an interview with the creator.
An interview with Michael Detiz, Product Planning, Hyundai America
Everyone has been setting up for SEMA for the last 3 days. I happened to walk by the Hyundai booth yesterday while one of the vice presidents was rehearsing for their 9:30am press conference today. They had the usual un-blanketing of cars and performance celebrities there to talk. What I was really there for was the car computer geerkery. The real details about this project will have to wait until Tuesday when the real press conference starts, but here are some sneak peek photos.
I am already slightly disappointed with the mac install. It seems like more of an attempt to get press than a functional implementation. I saw one of the macbook airs plugged into an AC port which would imply no ignition integration. It is always harder to put in a DC-DC regulator. Why do installers just use inverters especially on a high profile car like this? Is it laziness or unknown technical mojo that is driving this?
If there is hot mobile computer tech at SEMA that we haven’t written about, Let us know.
For you Hyndai or Genesis addicts I posted a quick 1m video of their VP practicing, unveiling a car and doing a quick dance. See the forum post for more details.
Designed with the supprot and feedback of our community, the fusion brain guys have done it again – At midnight EST today they released version 4 of their fusion brain control center.
