Wireless Android Auto via a Raspberry Pi

Rob
Full Member

Posts: 2,778

Wireless Android Auto via a Raspberry Pi Aug 25, 2024 10:40:06 GMT

Quote

Post by Rob on Aug 25, 2024 10:40:06 GMT

I've been thinking of getting a wireless Android Auto adapter for a while but the two well known models (Motorola and AAWireless) are about £70 at the moment. There are cheaper ones but I didn't want to risk something. Then thought 'I bet someone has made one with a Raspberry Pi'.... And they have. There were prebuilt distress for 4 Pi models or you could compile/build your own from the AA Wireless Github code.

So got a cheap Pi Zero 2W, downloaded the image and burned it to a spare micro SD (way too big) and plugged the OTG micro USB lead from the car into it. Turn on car.... pair with the Pi from the phone over Bluetooth.... And up pops Android Auto on the car screen. It reconnects quickly when you restart the car. The USB port I know goes off after a short time when ignition off so the Pi is not always on.

A cheap way to get Wireless Android Auto working. A Pi Zero W for example can be had for £14.40 although mine the 2W. W is important I think because that has WiFi. The Zero W only has a single core Broadcom ARM CPU at 1GHz. The Zero 2W has a quad core ARM Cortex-A53 so a lot quicker and only a few £s more.

Might get a Pi Zero case although it's in a plastic bag at the moment and would probably be fine.

Last Edit: Aug 25, 2024 10:42:38 GMT by Rob

bpg
Full Member

Posts: 2,809

Wireless Android Auto via a Raspberry Pi Aug 25, 2024 12:18:18 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by bpg on Aug 25, 2024 12:18:18 GMT

There's lots can be done with a Pi though I bought one of the very first for my son to start playing about on. It was woefully slow and killed any enthusiasm.

Keep an eye on your 12v battery if leaving anything plugged in the USB ports. The wireless AA adaptors we have in cars still pull long after the ports are supposed to have shutdown.

Rob
Full Member

Posts: 2,778

Wireless Android Auto via a Raspberry Pi Aug 25, 2024 12:58:56 GMT

Quote

Post by Rob on Aug 25, 2024 12:58:56 GMT

This one being a quad core Cortex-A53 based CPU should mean it's a fair bit faster.

When contemplating an AA wireless adapter I checked the USB port powers down shortly after ignition off otherwise it would be pointless. If it needed unplugging I might as well plug the phone in.

On longer journeys the phone will still need charging but I thought I'd give it a go.

The other thing I was contemplating getting a Pi for was VPN server for accessing the network at home from away. I had OpenVPN running on the NAS but that's out of date and not easily updatable now. It does not support even the older of the current SSL ciphers. I am sure I could turn it off somehow on the phone but I'd prefer it to be a little protected. And the OpenVPN did not support all modes so I couldn't see the whole network, so to speak. I used to use it when it was working to VPN into the work laptop when away from the desk. If I popped into the office I'd take the MacBook and use a remote desktop session over VPN. That stopped working a long time ago... as did I.

EspadaIII
Full Member

Posts: 3,593

Wireless Android Auto via a Raspberry Pi Aug 26, 2024 4:41:52 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by EspadaIII on Aug 26, 2024 4:41:52 GMT

Aug 25, 2024 12:18:18 GMT bpg said:

Keep an eye on your 12v battery if leaving anything plugged in the USB ports. The wireless AA adaptors we have in cars still pull long after the ports are supposed to have shutdown.

Exactly what happens with my adapter. Works very well but need to unplug it after each journey.

Buzzz, bang, ouch!

bpg
Full Member

Posts: 2,809

Wireless Android Auto via a Raspberry Pi Aug 26, 2024 7:08:40 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by bpg on Aug 26, 2024 7:08:40 GMT

It was you, EspIII that put me on to the 12v drain.

It's probably not much of an issue if you use your car daily over sufficient distance to allow the battery to recharge. The issue for me is I use a car two, maybe three, days/week. One of my cars could be left standing for two weeks between use. That combined with smart battery charging that only charges the battery to 82/83% means the battery can drop to around 60% which is marginal for starting.