Programming for Prius

ICE is the internal combustion engine, not the HSD part

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lew2 @ Jun 11 2006, 02:45 PM) [snapback]269579[/snapback]</div>

No, the prius is completely proprietary.

There are some cars that let you do things like that tho. I know the iDrive setup on BMWs have SDKs available (via Siemens, the whole system is written with Java). If you're brave, you could write your own infotainment software. Under no circumstances could you write anything that affects the operation of the car tho.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lew2 @ Jun 11 2006, 01:45 PM) [snapback]269579[/snapback]</div>

There are a couple of options for reading the CAN data that can be routed to a PC for processing for trip details and the like. There are some here who have been able to route the PC video to the LCD. So there are options here. But there is nothing to access and alter the control logic.

 

There are some Yahoo groups that nibble at the edges of this stuff. Toyota keeps all of this "close to the vest".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lew2 @ Jun 11 2006, 11:45 AM) [snapback]269579[/snapback]</div>

My guess is you can do anything you want so long as you own the Prius and are not concerned with voiding warranties.

My guess is that someone with the ability to hack could probably hack the Prius computers, but you would also need to have a good understanding of the vehicle and its different components.

Knowledge of Japanese to communicate with people in Japan and any available Japanese resources would probably help too.

George

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mardikes @ Jun 13 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]270741[/snapback]</div>

Having programmed PLCs as well as touchscreen devices, yes, you probably could get into the computers. I wouldn't. Uploading using Bluetooth is doubtful; there is probably a socket for a proprietary connection somewhere either under the hood or the dashboard, but I am not about to start to look for one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lew2 @ Jun 15 2006, 12:55 PM) [snapback]271716[/snapback]</div>

There is definitely a method to upload software (look for a JTAG port), but you can bet it's proprietary. From what I've heard, there's also no SDK available, which is what you need in order to write something that works with or even replaces the existing system. The CANview is something that listens in on network traffic and reports the parts that it understands. In theory it could inject commands into the network, but that would be rather risky, IMO. (I'm an embedded software engineer, and it sure would be fun to get into the details on the Prius if it were more open - I'd be better at that than say, working on a web page or windows applications which is an entirely different field of software development).

 

Doing this on an '06 with anything greater than the baseline model will probably not be easy.

The route that most of us are taking is to use a can-view, along with a PC of some sort. Poking around the inside the MFD is probably non trivial, not impossible though..

If you add an AVC-LAN adapter to the mix, your PC could pretty much take over the entire MFD function, you'd have to recreate all the views that are currently embedded in the MFD, but it would be fully customizable...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lew2 @ Jun 11 2006, 11:45 AM) [snapback]269579[/snapback]</div>

(sorry, a little OT but I couldn't resist)
Have you and your colleagues seen this? http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=63...lmer+developers

I work in software myself, but I'm a tester, not a developer...

 

The LT1 and LSI engines from GM can be accessed by third party software applications. The dealers do not recognize any third party software and will sometimes just re-flash the computer if they think there may be a problem, but the third party folks basically have built an interface that allows the stock hex stuff to be understood by a human and then modified for the purposes of removing an annoyance (such as the rev limiter), adjusting the speedometer to accomodate different gearing, improving gas mileage or performance, or both through manipulating air/fuel/timing... It is possible to seriously screw up a vehicle by modifying computer parameters but in the right hands it can be a wonderful tool.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Jun 25 2006, 06:13 PM) [snapback]276644[/snapback]</div>

I'm actually a software developer and this video is hands down the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

We should get all the software developer prius owners together and hash out an idea for writing custom apps on the prius

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lew2 @ Jun 11 2006, 11:45 AM) [snapback]269579[/snapback]</div>

I've worked with a number of very talented Software Engineers -- you probably are one. However control algorithm design isn't software engineering. I'm sure you're very good at what you do, but thinking about hacking a drive by wire control system when your errors would have the potential to seriously endanger life and property? Wow! Does anyone seriously not understand why mean old Toyota just doesn't want amateurs doing that.


Edit: Removed extraneous partial quote.

 

I remember, years ago, seeing a manual for an option that allowed one to modify the internal control code ([techie on] microcode [techie off]) for a Honeywell computer. One of the opening paragraphs stated that because you have this option all warrantees on your computer are null and void.

 

If someone wants to modify what is displayed on the MFD and take/cruch available data that's fine and would be a cool project. I'd love to have some different info screens available on my car.

If you are planning to hack into the actual control systems of the car you're not only risking your life, but the lives of everyone around you on the road.

No, I really don't need or wish to have shareware MPG increasing software available for the Prius (or any other car). I know...how bad could it be...if version alpha .05 doesn't work I can go to sourceforge and get prealpha .06.

P.S. Steve Ballmer is a fruitcake...a very, very wealthy and smart fruitcake...but an offspring of Claxton's none the less