> I used a Raspberry Pi in USB gadget mode to simulate an Android device connected to the head unit. The head unit thinks it's accepting a navigation maps update from the "phone", but because the update protocol allows for arbitrary file changes, I can issue commands to modify a specific file and inject a call to a bash script that gets run as root.
Inspired by another post here on HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32447650
In more parts posted in distant times, the last of which (one year after that post) is -
the author (greenluigi1) made Doom work on the Hyundai (Ioniq SEL).
In a prior role I got to engage on a number of GENIVI projects. GENIVI was/is a consortium of Auto makers and 1st-tier companies that determine standards for automotive IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment). I got to work on some demonstration projects that were proof-of-concept for the standards. IIRC, we were implementing them on the Automotive-Grade Linux distribution. It was a really exciting time. I legitimately thought that there might be a future for a standard (or at least a couple of standard) infotainment systems.
Fun stuff. FWIW, I sort of thought of GENIVI as the European standards group, whereas AGL seemed largely funded and driven by the Asian Automakers. But that's my narrow viewpoint.
I also had a talk with a couple people at the booth, for example Igalia works upstream with Vulkan and Chromium a bunch. Would love to see more Linux on the dashboard in the future, some cars have pretty substantial chips powering their infotainment systems these days. Could be nice to add that as a node to a homelab Kubernetes cluster when it's parked idle in the garage :)
PCM6 for Porsche is a new Linux system from APITV.
If all you need is a working head unit you should be able to get that for <$1000.
It's still an investment, but nowhere near $30k.
The real reason nobody bothers with this is that it's just the infotainment, and if you really want a custom one you can just buy a new head unit, or glue a tablet where the existing one resides.
You won't get access to the engage electronics, emissions controls etc. Those are all other dedicated computers.
There is potential for someone to make an ipad app that did all these things and connected to say your phone's hotspot so you could control everything. Soon you would be remaking android auto though. I think there's no market for a "you control your privacy" type thing.
Reminder that those who bought it, voted for it.
In economics, wallet is voting power - what you buy you feed and endorse.
My 2012 Nissan Leaf is equipped with a 3G cellular modem (upgraded from the 2G that it originally shipped with). Since the providers all shut down their 3G networks, it's been effectively offline.
The issue is with more with recordings and with the principle of sending data around beyond the ID - and especially with the contract that would make such activity accepted.
I have little hope for a fix. It seems likely that its easier to just replace the entire controller that drives the audio and screen, and that sounds really really hard.
On the other hand, the infotainment can be rebooted even while driving. The drive train is much more protected and controlled, for a reason.
But since you can also interact with the car, like turning on and off drive assistant systems, I would not dare to hack my car. How about insurance, when there is an accident?
The insurance company would need to demonstrate that you've had an accident because of your modification. Just them being present doesn't invalidate anything.
However, in the real world, you can bet that they would try - you'd probably win in the court of law, but it's a risk.
From my experience unless the car has some kind of self driving stuff they just check with a mechanic the state of the car to see if it is totalled or can be repaired. Unless there are wires going out of the car there is no reason they would even check the os of the dashboard console[1]
[1] I refuse to use infotainment word, it is so unappropriate.
Just info: on my android phone with firefox the scrolling is atrociously slow (more than 1 sec lag during every scroll)
If I bring my car for maintenance and we agree on checking brake fluid and air filters, they cannot decide "Oh, the profiles of the tires are off, we'll change them". No one would need to pay them for this, as it was not agreed upon and is therefore not part of a contract.
So your case makes no sense at all.
Except that perhaps you life in an insane country, or are not well versed in basic contract law :-)
They will not hesitate to change the Electronic Control module and maybe the BSI also, just to be sure that your car don't fails in the worse moment and kills you. This could start at 1500 euro or much more depending on the brand. They will not understand your "right" to run Doom in your car.
Think also that currently some secondary car systems in many brands can be deactivated online, without creating a situation of danger for you, but making your driving experience really miserable if they want.
It's more likely that you get it back with a new software (and all your modifications wiped), because as part of the routine maintenance some blue-collar technician connects a USB-dongle and blindly upgrades the firmware.
Unless of course, the modification is so popular that searching for it becomes part of the vendors routine maintenance protocol...
The idea of "Hacking" cars feels great until you realize that this cars are driving in the same road as you
Hobbyist car hackers is a group filled with overconfidence, and overconfidence can lead easily to a hell of pain and a million of ways to shoot yourself in the face. Because electronic sensors tend to be connected with other sensors, that are connected with many other unsuspected things, and those last things can be more important that it seems.
