Taco eMod

No, this isn't a product announcement, just something I've created and not sure what to do with it. So, once you've read this, please give me your input on what you think I should do with it. Hopefully I'll get the poll right.
I designed and built this over a year ago, but never had the desire to install until I found a good bed camera option. Now I've got Meso's brake light with camera I decided to install the prototype.

It’s main purpose was to add an auxiliary camera, and to override the head unit to force cameras on/off / aux camera. Since I was their, I also added controls to allow me to use the other things most people use. Like GPS while driving, force ECT mode on every ignition cycle, and since I haven’t found any switches I like, it will also read the Tacoma steering wheel controls and allow me to use those to control the functions. (As well as external buttons once I find some I like). It will also create a WiFi hotspot (access point) or connect to another hotspot, so you can control & configure it from your phone.
Prototype (pic below) doesn’t look like much, it’s mainly a mess of wires with an ESP8266 chip at it’s core with relays for controlling output, an ADC circuit to read the steering wheel controls, and some other input switches. I designed this to be COMPLETELY insulated from all factory wiring, it will not introduce anything (noise/resistance/voltage) onto the already finicky factory wiring.
I also managed to source all the Toyota harness connectors, so no splicing / cutting / joining of factory wiring harness, it’s all simple plugin.
I’ll have to take a video of it working, as I realize it's hard to visualize, and it doesn’t look like much from still images. Hopefully I'll post a video next weekend.

This is a prototype I've been running for a bit. Finished unit will fit behind the headhunt.


The main web interface.
(Since I have a bedcam, the default to AUX cam in reverse is for when I travel with the tailgate down).



Here is the main configuration options. The top section is external input switches for the main 3 functions. You can use a latched or push-button switch. When using push-button (or steering wheel controls) you can configure the switch to do different things depending on the length of the press.
You can also update the firmware over the internet, since I'm sure there will be more things / options to add in the future once/if people start using this.


Here is the config options for a push-button (in this case steering wheel control).
Config the button ("off hook" is used as this does nothing unless you're on a call), but can use the other steering wheel control buttons as well.
Smart off just means if anything is on and you press the button for minimum duration, turn it off. Without smart off, the "same time" press is on or off depending on state.






So, what should I do with this? I'm not looking to make any money off it, so fully prepared to simply release firmware / software / and hardware details. I've done that on a ton of other projects, so that's nothing new to me. I've designed this to work with "kind-a" off the shelf hardware, so no custom circuit boards are needed. BUT is will require some soldering and knowledge of how to program firmware on a ESP chip.

I could make these up, but due to the time/labor of making a plug-in wiring harness it would be about $200 cost.

The last thing I want is to release this and open source and keep enhancing it (and the firmware), but for some smuck to sell pre-made units and I'm left supporting them. It seems like a lot of people on Tacomaworld want to buy something "pre-made", so that's why I'm kinda dubious of open sourcing this.

Also, any ideas for a name if this is something people want. "Taco eMod" is kind-a crap, but I have no other ideas.

 

Do not open source it... build it, test it, get it right, then do as you wish. I still would open source it.
As for a name.... I am not sure. Tac app. (Tacoma Accessory Control app)

 

Agreed. Don’t open source, will just cause headaches down the road and when someone else messes it up, they will run your name through the mud.

Figure out the cost and time, make it and sell it for break even or profit cost.

 

What they said. Unless it’s kindergarten proof, don’t open source unless you’re divesting yourself of ALL involvement.

 

PS, there’s a DVR mod in the wild here that has access to the steering wheel for switching between cameras. Would this interfere with that?

 

Sub’d

 

Not here to add input. Want to see where this goes and if this is something I need to spend my money on. Great job OP!

 

You times money, sell it. Don’t open source it, too much risk. Cool gadget btw!

 

I have not seen that.... care to point me in the right direction?

 

I’d be first in line to buy this thing. Good luck OP, hopefully this makes it to the market one of these days.

 

There are two units that come to mind when you say that. It wouldn't interfere with the SWC, but depending on how they did the camera it may interfere with that part. The true DVR unit ive seen this would work with as long as you put it after the DVR.