Modernizing my old car with a Raspberry Pi
If you're like me and enjoy tinkering with technology, then you know the satisfaction of transforming something ordinary into something extraordinary. Recently, I embarked on an exciting DIY project that completely upgraded my car’s dashboard, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. Using a Raspberry Pi, a 10" touchscreen display, and OpenAuto Pro, I created a custom infotainment system that rivals some of the latest factory-installed options — and the best part? It didn’t cost anywhere near what it would to upgrade to a new car with these features.
The Concept: Customizing My Car's Infotainment System
I had an old car that was still running great, but its infotainment system was outdated and lacked the modern features that many newer cars offer, like Android Auto, voice recognition, and smooth touchscreen navigation. I wanted to bring my car into the 21st century without having to shell out thousands of dollars on a new vehicle. So, I decided to get creative and explore the world of DIY car tech.
The Solution: Raspberry Pi + 10" Touchscreen + OpenAuto Pro
After some research, I stumbled upon a brilliant combination of technologies that seemed perfect for my project: Raspberry Pi, a 10" touchscreen display, and OpenAuto Pro. If you’re unfamiliar with these tools, here’s a quick rundown:
- Raspberry Pi: A small, affordable computer that can run a variety of applications, making it the ideal choice for this project.
- 10" Touchscreen Display: A high-quality, responsive touchscreen that would serve as the interface for the system.
- OpenAuto Pro: An open-source Android Auto emulator that transforms your Raspberry Pi into an Android Auto-compatible device, bringing navigation, music, voice control, and more to your car’s dashboard.
The idea was simple: use the Raspberry Pi to power the touchscreen and install OpenAuto Pro to emulate Android Auto. This would give me access to all the features I wanted — from hands-free navigation to music streaming — all without the need for a hefty upgrade to a new car.
The Setup: Installing the System
Setting up the system wasn’t as complicated as I initially thought, but it did take some time and patience. Here's how I did it:
- Mounting the Touchscreen: First, I had to figure out how to mount the 10" touchscreen in my car’s dashboard. I had to use a tablet support for cars - easy to find on amazon.
- Setting Up the Raspberry Pi: I connected the Raspberry Pi to the touchscreen, ensuring that the Pi’s performance would be strong enough to handle the OpenAuto Pro software smoothly. I also added a power supply, ensuring it could draw the necessary power from my car’s electrical system.
- Installing OpenAuto Pro: I then installed OpenAuto Pro onto the Raspberry Pi. This was the trickiest part, but the OpenAuto community provided excellent documentation, so I was able to follow the steps and get the system up and running in no time. OpenAuto Pro emulates the Android Auto environment, allowing me to use my phone’s apps through the touchscreen interface.
- Integrating Audio and Navigation: Once everything was connected, I set up the system to integrate with my car's audio system, which allowed me to use it for calls, music, and GPS navigation. The voice recognition feature also worked beautifully, allowing hands-free control of my music, navigation, and more.
The Result: A Fully Functioning Infotainment System
Once everything was set up, I was absolutely amazed at how well the system performed. The 10" touchscreen provided a sharp, responsive interface, and OpenAuto Pro delivered all the features I wanted: music streaming, turn-by-turn navigation, voice commands, and even the ability to send and receive text messages. It felt like I had a brand-new, factory-installed infotainment system — but at a fraction of the cost.
The Raspberry Pi handled everything smoothly, with minimal lag, and the system was reliable enough for daily use. Whether I’m on my commute or heading out for a road trip, I now have all the modern conveniences of a new car without the price tag.
Final Thoughts
This project has truly transformed my driving experience. I now have all the features I need in my car — navigation, music, voice recognition, and more — all thanks to Raspberry Pi, a 10" touchscreen, and OpenAuto Pro. If you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to upgrade your car’s tech, I highly recommend giving this DIY project a try. It’s a perfect blend of creativity, technology, and practicality, and the result is a modern infotainment system that feels like it came straight from the factory.