Audi A6 custom install carpc with fingerprint recognition

ejdeleon · 06-14-2004, 09:58 PM

Inspired by reading your posts, I took on the task of designing my car pc. Being as hands-on as I am I was originally planning on building my car pc, but after weeks of research and deciding exactly what I wanted to do with it, I decided to buy a pre-built system (sorry everyone). I had the system custom installed at a shop in Rahway, NJ (www.streeteffectz.com) after seeing them featured in Eurotuner magazine for an amazing BMW 3 series. It was the 1st time for them to do a carpc in an audi A6 and they did an amazing job.

Here are the specs:
Car: 98 Audi A6

CPU: Xenarc compact car pc - 1.3GHz CPU with 256MB
RAM, 20 GB HD, shared video RAM up to 1200x1600 res (I think - although I only use 800x600 for ease of access),8x DVD, 3 USB, 1 Firewire, Ethernet access - located under globebox; spray-painted black to match dash; ventilation drilled under glove box to prevent over-heating; removable (very important) - pull out.

Sound system: original Bose headunit repositioned under glovebox with toggle switch under driver dash to switch sound from 6 CD changer vs. sound from PC

Monitor: Lilliput 7" touchscreen monitor custom built into the dash

Screenprotector: Nushield screenprotector custom cut to fit lilliput (thanks to Mark of Nushield) www.nushield.com

Peripherals:
1. Biopod fingerprint recognition (for logging-in) - works flawlessly
2. Flexible/foldable USB keyboard
3. Gomadic modem cable (www.gomadic.com) to connect to Verizon internet access (up to 115KBs bursts using regular peak/off-peak minutes) - not advertised by Verizon but available if you search deep enough
4. AV inputs at center console for connecting X-box/Gamecube
5. GPS Navigation with limited voice commands - Copilot Live 7 (care of mp3car.com with discount)
6. 4 port USB hub in glovebox
7. External mic (from radioshack) spray-painted black to match dash

Software:
1. Windows XP Professional - with hibernation for quick start-up/shut down
2. Media Engine - buggy at times but overall still very functional
3. Copilot live 7 for GPS
4. Microsoft Word and Excel
5. Power DVD for DVD playback
6. Microsoft internet explorer
7. Mitchell on demand - Audi repair CD

Things to come:
VAG-COM USB cable to monitor diagnostics and fault codes

LORIDN · 06-14-2004, 10:04 PM

Let me be the first to say, WOW, looks nice. Good idea with the finger print recognition

ejdeleon · 06-14-2004, 10:06 PM

click attachments to view pictures (can't seem to place them into my post)...

chicochu · 06-14-2004, 10:14 PM

knock on wood. but wouldnt people actually try and jack all that stuff?

fantomas · 06-14-2004, 10:17 PM

looks great...but i still dont understand exactly what the fingerprint recognition is for?

ejdeleon · 06-15-2004, 12:43 AM

sorry i didn't read the rules for posting - will adjust the size of my pictures tomorrow...

in response to your posts...

break-ins don't seem to be a problem where I live (knock on wood...)

some might think fingerprint recognition is over the top but what the heck for $50. it's cool technology!

SpoonTek · 06-15-2004, 12:52 AM

that's just TOO COOL!

cheers to yah.

LaserLine · 06-15-2004, 01:03 AM

Looks nice. Nice job on the molding for the LCD. The DVD however seems to be a bit far away..you'd really have to reach to put in a new cd.

rando · 06-15-2004, 01:45 AM

blah ... it's a carpc. Why would he be using CDs?

Looks nice!

Gen.Why · 06-15-2004, 01:50 AM

Holy biometrics batman...

I don't know that a car would have been my first choice for securing with a fingerprint scanner...planning on having sensitive data onboard, or is it just he cool factor?

Nice keyboard, btw

Yuriy · 06-15-2004, 04:16 AM

Wow awesome setup! The fingerprint recognition, although I don't see much use for it, is nevertheless cool

And you just gave me an idea on where to put my new CD-R drive!

ejdeleon · 06-15-2004, 09:35 AM

accessibility for the carpc was very important to me; i did have to compromise slightly on placement - i felt it was unsafe to put the pc and headunit under the driver's dash (too close to the gas and brake pedals - plus if you're in an accident, they'd chop off your legs); both would not fit in the glovebox either. Although i do have to slightly reach to turn it on, it's still a lot better than having to exit the car and pop the trunk to change disks. and as previously said, i would rarely be using cd's/dvd's (because everything's on the harddrive anyway). Legally speaking, the driver should not even be watching dvd's while driving anyway - "it's for the passenger"...

SilentAdmirer · 06-15-2004, 10:08 AM

wow . wonderful setup . I think the fingerprint recognition can be a used for later .eg. multiple profiles, setting ,choice of songs etc.

migrane · 06-15-2004, 10:18 AM

interesting install on a beautiful car

I think you it can be done even cleaner like one of the posters has done with his bmw m3.

Migrane

6GenX · 06-15-2004, 07:09 PM

Maybe you could get the fingerprint scanner hooked up to the obd-2 to disable the ignition if it's not in the system, aswell as profiles for power seat settings, radio presets, etc. Really nice job on the install.

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