I would like to share with you my experience regarding extension of Columbus functionality with touch based Android system.

 

My Superb was originally equipped with Columbus, Sound System and GSM II module. Although since the very beginning I liked this combination I was missing functionalities of navigation using on-line traffic info (TMC is not available in Poland) and community based software for exchanging traffic info.As I don't like having any extra objects on the dashboard my idea was to extend Columbus functionality with Android based system. After extensive web searching I have located Taiwaneese company named Wondeproud. They offer universal Android black-box navigation system, named WP9900, and interfaces to a lot of radios - including Columbus RNS510 and Bolero RCD510.

 

After exchanging several mails I decided to buy a system equipped with all features but 3G modem (as I wanted to have an independent access point in the car). As none car audio company I asked was willing to mount this system in my car I spent 4 Saturdays (approx 4 hours each)  on installing it.

 

Thanks to it the original Columbus functionality has been extended (i.e. none Columbus feature is obsolete) with the following features:

- Android computer on which you can install different applications, e.g. naviagtion (e.g. iGo) and community based software for exchanging traffic info (e.g. Waze).

- DVB-T tuner

- in-car DVR recording (camera is connected to WP9900, movies are stored on SD card) that starts automatically after opening a car (even without starting an engine) and ends when you close the car

- reverse camera

 

There are two more extra audio video inputs that can be connected, e.g. to PSP or Xbox.

 

Internet access is made with the lates version of GSM III (premium) module (originally I used router D105 and 3G modem E3131, both from Huawei, to install access point, but later I replaced them with the latest version of GSM III module that has buil-in WiFi access point).

 

Anyone interested in watching it working please visit my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9NSovOb1-jek5b8s6Pf9Sw

 

TO MAKE IT CLEAR: I AM NOT A DEALER OF WONDEPROUD NEITHER THIS POST IS ANY COMMERCIAL. I just like this solution and wanted to share  this info with everybody who might be interested. If you would like to get it you should contact either Wondeproud directly or their distributor (if there is any in your country).

 

 

I have just noticed Wondeproud released a new version - WP9320. It works on the recent Android version (4.3) and has upgraded hardware as well (Dual Core processor)

pab567,

thanks for info - imho very promising as to route further. Shame that on manufacturer's site there is not clear info that the device can easily(?) be integrated into factory setup.

 

Could you please be more specific as to what additional components you had to order, how you managed plugging the device to Columbus - any additional wiring/interface devices one has to order separately? Thanks again.

To connect it to Columbus you have to install an interface board inside Columbus - it requries connection of few cables (plug and play) and one soldering. As a result you get several additional cables going out from Columbus that allow you to connect WP9900 as well as external devices (reverse camera, up to three audio video units, e.g. DVB-T tuner). Interfaces differ per radio to which you connect Android box - Columbus interface is different to Bolero interface. Interface should be ordered together with Android box.

Edited 29 January, 201412 yr by pab567

pab567,

 

thanks a lot, now it's much clearer as to interfacing to Columbus. What is the overall budget of your implementation?

From where did you buy it?  Direct from manuf of from another store?

The budget:

- WP9900 (including speaker, GPS antenna, remote controller): 315 USD

- Columbus interface: 150 USD

- freight from Taiwan to Poland: 60 USD

- tuner DVB-T: 95 USD

- front camera (for permanent video recording): 90 USD (sourced locally)

- reverse camera: 30 USD

- 3G USB modem: 40 USD (sourced locally)

- router: 40 USD (sourced locally)

- GPS+GSM original antenna: 30 USD (second hand, sourced locally)

- cables to connect GPS antenna: 30 USD (sourced locally)

 

Complete installation was done by myself so the total cost was 880 USD. This is more expensive than replacing Columbus / Bolero with some aftermarket unit (e.g. Blaupunkt Philadelphia, assuming you sell Columbus / Bolero unit) but:

- you keep the whole functionality of factory installed system (Columbus / Bolero), including CAN info displayed on the screen and info displayed on the instrument panel, steering wheel remote control etc.

- you extend the functionality with DVB-T, video recording, reverse camera

- you can use any Android based navigation (e.g. iGo)

- you can use a lot of Android applications that help you to omit traffic jams, speed cameras etc (e.g. Waze)

 

Of course you can have most of those functionalities with your mobile phone for much less money but:

- I hate having anything on the dashboard (risk of injury in case of accident)

- having several applications running on your mobile phone usually discharges your battery as the current consumption is higher than what battery charger delivers

- info is displayed on much bigger screen than you usually have in your mobile phone

- you can use it with your regular gloves on (it's winter...)

 

WP9900 is powered on when I unlock my car. You can select one application that will be launched automatically - I have chosen Digital Video Recording. Thanks to it, if I don't want to use any other application paralelly I don't even have to touch it but usually I switch to WP9900 and start either Waze, Yanosik or Google Maps 9with traffic layer on) so I can see the traffic situation in the city and select the streets that are not too crowdy

 

Originally I used USB modem (Huawei E3131) and small router (Huawei D105) to have WiFi available for WP9900. When a new version of GSM Premium module has been launched I used it to replace my GSM II module and modem / router comibnation (as new GSM Premium module has internal WiFi access point built-in). I also replaced original GPS antenna (the one on the roof, connected to Columbus) with GPS+GSM version which gives me now much better GSM coverage

 

WP9900 in equipped with MUTE output. I connected it  to Columbus MUTE input. As a result Columbus is muted when there is any sound from WP9900 speaker.

 

I bough it directly from manufacturer.

Edited 31 January, 201412 yr by pab567

pab567, quite a smart setup. Thanks for sharing.

 

What is quality of Dash Cam option (Digital Video Recording) I wonder. Is it HD/Full HD? Does it not drop frames under another apps load launched simultaneously? Could you please share front camera part number or specs? Thanks again.

Front camera has resolution of 720x576. Unfortunately bitrate is not adjustable and could be a bit bigger :(