Plug n Play Wireless AndroidAuto

I've been trying to get wireless android auto working with the 3rd gen using a 2nd phone that is always plugged in. Haven't had too much luck.

I've been following this thread on XDA about it and the guy who started it finally released a kickstarter campaign for it. Not sure compatibility our headunit yet, but hopefully more info will come and I'll find out. But I'm sure many of you will be interested, as much as I am about this.

Thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...droid-3-0-proxy-gateway-android-auto-t3813163

Just make sure you select the "Get Perk" option and not the contribution. Otherwise you won't get a product. This almost got me.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aawireless#/

 

This sounds interesting and is tempting. It would be nice not to have to plug in for AA. Following for now, though it would be nice to confirm it works with Toyotas (and even Tacomas specifically) before committing $$.

 

That'd be sick for sure. Most annoying is only having 1 USB port that functions with the head unit. Can't even use Android Auto and a MP3 USB at the same time. Yes I have my reasons for that.

 

In for one, nice find,@empty_space .

 

Looks like they change the shipping today for new backers to Feb 2021.
I still should be getting mine in Nov. Will post an update when I get mine and test.

This is what they current list for compatibility: " Toyota Corolla TS 2020 and a few other Toyotas"
Not sure what HUs Toyota uses in the corolla. Looks close enough to the 2020 Tacos so maybe?

 

It looks like it got plenty of backers to be made, so I'll let others beta test it for me. If it turns out to work well, I'll probably pick one up when they are generally available. I'm a bit worried that it sounds like it can take 30-40+ seconds to connect. Not a deal breaker, but it would be nice to be more instantaneous. Hopefully they can improve on that.

On a side note, I thought their video ad was really dumb. I hate that infomercial-style ad where they just make one person look like a complete moron and that somehow is suppose to prove your product is better.

 

I wasn't too thrilled with the wait time either. I asked a question because I was thinking about making a battery pack for the device to reduce the connection time (so it's always on). This was the response:
"The device boots up in about 8-10 seconds (with wifi and BT running), then it takes quite a few seconds for the BT to pair and then the phone takes it time to connect to the wifi and launch AA. So about half the time is on phone side."

I'm planning on making a battery pack, so we'll see how much that helps. They are also planning on OTA updates, might help with the connection speed later on.

 

@empty_space

Did you see the latest update? Looks like they are adding 5ghz to the wifi chip to cut down on interference with BT and possibly reduce some of the connection latency. ( Will also be in compliance with AA wireless hardware spec)

They also changed the shipping times around and added the option to get your name engraved on the enclosure.

 

Nice! I heard they were working on the 5GHz addition. Glad their campaign is over $500k, that definitely helped drive that change.
Now if only I could be one of their beta testers and test it on the taco...

Since I was an early backer, my ship date should be Nov, but might get pushed back to Dec. I'm not opposed to waiting a bit longer

 

Yeah looks like my ship date is still Feb 2021. They bumped the engraved ones up to Dec 2020. Who knows, as long as it works I don't mind a few months wait. Looks like they are working with some dealers and a test group to hit a bunch of common cars. There's a few 2020 Toyotas on their spreadsheet so I hope we're good even if not specifically tested on the Tacoma.

 

This is getting enough traction I might even have to sign up!

Will the changes help any with the connection time?

 

The 5ghz should help, but a lot of the connection time has to do with the phone connecting to the device, the device connecting to the radio, BT, Wifi, secure handshakes between them, etc. Then you add in variable radios, phones, cables, etc. It would be hard to make things perfect. I still think 20-30 seconds isn't too bad.

 

I got the two pack on the 2nd day it went live. Don't care for engraving to be honest.

Tacoma should be fine, I don't imagine there is much difference between the head units electronically, so I think we'll be straight.

May slightly increase the time to fully boot up, but I wouldn't imagine it would be a noticeable difference. Especially when it's a unit specifically designed for this purpose, so no extra services are required to start up and bog down the system.

 

Alright, I backed it...

The shipping cost hit a little hard though, oof.

 

Anybody in Denver want to go in on a two pack? Saves us some shipping costs.

 

Noticed your profile says you own a 2018. Did you swap to an aftermarket head unit with Android Auto? (Just asking because a lot of people in the Indiegogo campaign comments thought this device adds AA to radios without it.)

 

Just upgraded to the 2020 last weekend. Switched from a 2WD for CA to a 4WD for the new home in CO. That 2WD looked like an oddball out here in a sea of Overlanders.

 

Awesome!

Congrats, hope you find someone in Denver to split shipping. Enjoy your new 2020!

 

I didn't read my email when I supported the project 2 months ago.... New ship date for mine is March 2021



If anyone is getting there's in Nov/Dec, post up if it's working!

 

I think I missed the first wave too. Hopefully if they run into any problems though that means they'll be able to fix them before we get ours!