A stamp (regardless what kind... BASIC Stamp, BasicX, OOPic-C, Tiger, etc.) is just a powerful user-friendly microcontroller with a ton of I/Os, upgradable RAM/EEPROM... well, basically a mini-PC that is instantly on, and functions as well or as poorly as your programing and wiring skills. I have huge plans for my stamp.
I realized a while ago that the only way I'll get things exactly how I want them to be, is to do things myself. As such, I'm going to create/buy/modify parts to make my own hardware solution, and write software for the PC/PDA to interact with it.
My stamp (or additional EEPROM, if needed) will hold the code for the car's functions. The features I want (and will add if they aren't standard) include:
- power locks (auto-locked when car is put in
D)
- auto-switch LCD's input to composite video (rear cam) when in
R
- auto-headlights (if it isn't standard)
- humidity sensor to auto-turn on headlights/wipers for fog (with manual override)
- auto-window up/down (on servos)
- auto-sunroof
- power seats/mirrors with user profiles (useful for passenger seat)
- remote starter (only active if the car's in Park [if the car's a manual])
- AM/FM radio on a PCB, controlled via PC (since there seems to be no AM radios for the PC, only FM)
- radar detector concealed in-dash, connected to stamp to auto-switch LCD to GPS and disable non-cop-friendly PC functions if cop is near (with manual override for false alarms, of course)
- servo to raise rear license plate @ EZ-Pass tolls (depending on how illegal I want to be... bridges and tunnels are like $6!!
)
- thermisters/servos to create regional climate zones with climate control
- photoresistors connected to an inverter to auto-dim the LCD
- sonar rangefinders with digital readouts for parking and "smart cruise control" (applies brake to keep from hitting car in ahead of you)
- emergency lights and siren control
- keypad on car door for keyless entry (if it isn't standard)
- RFID tag on keychain, detector in steering column; tag needed to enable starter
- mini wireless ethernet with booster antennae; I can control/monitor car functions via wireless-enabled PDA
- all power functions for PC
These are just the ones that come to mind immediatly. I've got a ton more.
The way I see it, the microcontroller will be doing most of the work. Some of them come with multi-tasking, and I can always use more than 1 if needbe. Any function that I need that can't wait for the PC to boot up will be controlled via the stamp (lights, locks, EMT lights, etc.) with physical switches, and all PC control of the car will be through the stamp. The PC's job will be to give me a nice GUI to interact with via LCD touchscreen, a means of programming/updating the stamp, GPS, data transfer (memory readers/IR for cameras/phones), and storage/playback of media (mp3s, CDs, DVDs, etc.)
I'll have a 802.11g adaptor in the PC, as well as one in my PDA. The power cables will be on channels, so I can remote-start the PC via the microcontroller's ethernet and choose to start only the motherboard, HD, and the USB HUB that has the 802.11g connected... to save power. Then I can stream mp3s/movies straight to my PDA while I'm sitting in class, or anywhere close enough for the booster antennae to still reach... and have the PC auto-shutdown if the battery voltage still drops too low. (And, I supposd I can have a capacitor bank connected solely to the starter in case the battery somehow DOES manage to drain too far.)
Also, a side note. I don't know if it's legal or not... but I was thinking of putting a 8-10" LCD where the rear-view mirror is, with the camera input coming from a wideangle lens mounted near the rear window. That way, even if there's people in the back seat, I have a large unobstructed view of everything that's behind the car.
Anyway... maybe that gave you some ideas. Let me know if it did.
