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PCB-Prototyping-Catalogue >> Vehicle Automation >> Volvo P2 Open Hardware

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Last update 11-06-2024

🔸 Open Hardware Electronics for the Volvo P2 platform

💬 There are new 🆕 comments on the discussions page. Go check`em out. 🆕 There's a new Discord Server for this and all other projects. To join click here.

This project currently has 9 open hardware electronics solutions ready to be installed on any Volvo P2. The total number of HW PCBs to be prototyped is 23.


⚠️This project is delayed because all my tools and equipment including all the Volvo P2 modules and wiring got stolen from my workplace and apartment.⚠️ If you like this project and want to see it grow, consider supporting it with a donation or a sponsorship. Thank you 🙏


current project Total: > 1350 work.h
Status: Ongoing Project

The problem
  Nowadays, repairing hardware electronics is impossible or almost impossible. Current practice forces a car owner to replace instead of repair. This has a really high cost and pushes owners to seek other less trustworthy solutions using components used in other vehicles. Since this type of component is nowadays heavily protected, maintenance and repair outside the official car manufacturer authorized dealer pose additional risks every time a piece of hardware electronics or firmware requires reverse engineering and modification just to enable it and make it work in another vehicle. Furthermore, recurrently found good, fully functional cars, with the highest safety classification rating on their chassis, the Euro NCAP 5 star rating being sent to the scrap yard due to outdated electronics and components and a too low insurance valuation that limits repairability of the vehicle.


Figure 1 - A paper plate stating "Caution Prototype Test"

Summary
The overall objective of this open project aims to extend the life of vehicles by means of updating them to current EU standards namely safety regulations and emission pollutants. Vehicles undergo a process of refurbishment service and full-featured overhaul of technology updates from mechanical key components to the interior habitacle, comfort, and safety of a vehicle. Branded Auto RFTI™ (refurbishment, facelift, and technology improvements) goes a step further than just a vehicle facelift and will differentiate by offering simple & easy hardware electronics and components for extending vehicle utilization life by means of technology upgrades to improve safety while at the same time reduce vehicle emissions.

Watch the video
Video 1 - Volvo P2 Buyer’s Guide (S80, S60, V70, XC70, XC90) by FCP Euro

In the video above Jacob Maller from FCP Euro, dives deep into the world of Volvo P2 and how to understand it. In this video, he discusses the models, engines, transmissions, and trims associated with Volvo P2. Strap in and get your notebook ready, it's a thick one. Jacob wishes he could say it was simple to explain the lineage of Volvo chassis designations. It used to be simple, but that's just not the case with these cars.

In one sentence:

"I'm solving all the electronics issues that make a P2 Volvo have a bad reputation"

Proof-of-Concept
  Design and prototype OEM hardware electronics capable of the same operation and functionality for all Volvo's with the common chassis P2, period 1998 to 2009 (S80, S60, V70 XC70, XC90), using the existing wiring on those cars (backward compatible). Instead of using closed and protected logic, it uses open hardware and open firmware hardware electronics as a direct replacement for existing* wiring in a vehicle, in particular older cars. This will facilitate repeatability and maintenance on any "repair shop" outside authorized dealers and requires no reverse engineering and no modification to make it work in a vehicle.

  To achieve this task I will be using the electronics and electrical wiring of a donor car I already have. This will serve as a ground base to commercialize automotive solutions using an open business logic (open hardware and open software) for other car brands and models. Including LPG systems.

"Still.... even if it is not easily possible ...it will definitely going to be AWESOME running a [old] car
that will meet the latest EURO emissions except on the pink slip"

Discord Server of Speeduino 02-02-2024

  Since this is an open hardware project, the main selection of choice for the operating system will be Android Auto for the main LCD screen, in the center console. Nowadays there is a plenitude of "open auto" solutions using a Raspberry Pi. I'll be designing the hardware electronics made to fit an SoC module, and I'll be starting with NVidia's Jetson Nano. In the following YouTube video, there's a good example of a traditional media unit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgbHXTHUnQw

Read more about ...


There are now 2 ways to navigate my hardware electronics catalog. The icon below, to the left, will take you to another page where this catalog is displayed using a conventional landing page design & styling. This option is suited to all those users who are only looking for a solution to a problem and not into the real technical details. If you like code and more technical information, browse this page instead. The icon below to the right will take you directly to a webpage with all hardware electronics currently at the M.V.P. stage. If you're not into technical information and are here only to buy, this is the option for you.

View this repository in a conventional landing page         View all open hardware solutions ready to buy, install and use
View this repository in a conventional landing page         View all open hardware solutions ready to buy, install, and use

Make sure you also view my Open Source Software Catalogue here.


Sponsors

Partial Sponsorships

Click here, to view a list of all sponsors. Did you like any of my PCB KiCad Designs? Help and Support my open work by becoming a GitHub sponsor. Starts with only $1 / 1€.

Join us on social media


🔸 Send me your old Hardware contributions welcome

Want to help this project grow faster? Send me your Volvo's old hardware electronics so I can design better new open hardware and make it available here for anyone to use. To know more about how and where to send a package, send me an email at mtpsilva@gmail.com or a message on WhatsApp +32 471 632 520.


Volvo P2 car for testing purposes
It is planned to have all hardware electronics prototyped and ready to start initial tests on a real Volvo P2 sometime around July 2004. Until then, I'm looking for someone willing to donate (or sponsor) a Volvo P2 car to this project. To know more about how to donate a Volvo or sponsor one, send me an email at mtpsilva@gmail.com or a message on WhatsApp +32 471 632 520.


🔸 Hardware electronics being conceptualized, prototyped and tested

legend at the bottom

The first milestone to achieve for this open hardware electronics project, is to reverse engineer, design, and prototype OPEN automotive solutions classified as SAE Level 1. This is the lowest level of automation. The vehicle features a single automated system for driver assistance, such as steering or accelerating (cruise control). Adaptive cruise control, where the vehicle can be kept at a safe distance behind the next car, qualifies as Level 1 because the human driver monitors the other aspects of driving such as steering and braking.


Figure 2 - Click here to view a list of each control unit found in a Volvo

🆕 Engine Management System (EMS)
Next: fabrication




Transmission Management System
not started
Electronics Management System
not started
Communications and Localization
next: fabrication
Wiring, Fuse Boxes and Relay Diagrams
next: fabrication
🆕 Safety
not started

ABS Control Module


Airbag Control Module


Electronic Stability Control Modules



Electromagnetic discharge, EMI Interference protection


Windshield


Rear-view mirror

Steering Wheel
not started
🆕 Instruments Cluster
next: fabrication

Instruments cluster (models from 2005 and above)
soon.

✓ 🟡 Instrument cluster (models up to 2004)

Confort
not started
Car Media
not started
Doors
next: fabrication
🆕 Headlights, Backlights, Turn Signals and Fog Lights
not started
Security to Theft
not started


Volvo For Life

🔸 Autonomous Driving Capabilities

Expected Start Date: November 2024
The main objective of this milestone is to upgrade the technology of a Volvo P2 vehicle to meet SAE Level 5 for autonomous driving. Between SAE Level 1 and Level 5, will be reverse-engineered, designed, and prototyped OPEN "autonomous driving" technology solutions that will be later turned into RFTI products.

In one sentence:

"The first P2 Volvo to have fully autonomous drive capabilities"

To get there, I'll prototyping hardware electronics that are fully compatible with comma.ai autonomous driving solutions. Openpilot is an open source advanced driver assistance system that works on 250+ car models of Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, and many other brands.

  • Automated Lane Centering
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Lane Change Assist
  • Driver Monitoring (no wheel nags)
  • can drive for hours without intervention
  • open source and developed on GitHub

makes driving chill
Currently, openpilot performs the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Automated Lane Centering (ALC). openpilot can accelerate, brake automatically for other vehicles, and steer to follow the road/lane.

When openpilot is enabled, a driver monitoring system watches the driver and ensures the driver is attentive and ready to take over at all times.

When used correctly, these features reduce your workload as a driver, and can make long drives relaxing instead of tedious.

connects to your car
openpilot works by connecting to your car's CAN network. Modern cars accept electronic steering, gas, and brake commands to allow for ADAS features. openpilot can use these commands to provide much better ADAS features than the car manufacturers can provide.

modern machine learning
openpilot contains a state-of-the-art neural network that understands the road scene and predicts where to drive. This neural network has learned to drive by watching the millions of miles of driving data openpilot has recorded. This makes openpilot exceptionally good at nuanced situations such as driving in areas with faded lanelines, different countries, and more.

open source and community supported
openpilot is developed by comma and by users like you. We welcome both pull requests and issues on GitHub. Bug fixes and new car ports are strongly encouraged. Check out the contributing docs.

Continue to read more about openpilot on comma.ai website...


SAE Level 1: Driver Assistance


🔸 EV Conversion

More soon! come back later
The main objective of this milestone is to do a technology upgrade to a Volvo P2 vehicle. Remove the old combustion engine and install an "old" electric motor. Safety first, battery storage and location cannot be at the front nor at the back, as in any new EV vehicle, the battery pack needs to be installed at the bottom. Charging of the battery needs to happen also from the bottom. The conventional charging cable exists only for an emergency situation. On this milestone will be reverse-engineered, designed, and prototyped OPEN EV technological solutions that will be later turned into RFTI products.


Batteries and structure from an Etron GT/Taycan


🔸 Software for Volvo P2

Not started. Come back later


Made by other Makers / Enterprises
Tuner Studio
TunerStudio brings a whole new level of refinement to tuning software. For far too long tuners have had to settle for whatever the controller manufacturer provided, far more often than you would think this means a clunky user interface and minimal feature set. Top dollar EFI controllers are no different, the tuning software is typically lacking in feature and refinement, making configuration confusing and overly complex. There are several versions of TunerStudio available depending on your controller and support for more Controllers is underway along. If you have a controller you would like to see supported by TunerStudio, let the manufacturer know!

VDASH
VDASH is a sophisticated software designed for Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 operating systems, requiring an internet connection to function. Its primary purpose is to diagnose and update software for personal Volvo vehicles through the OBD II connector. For full compatibility, VDASH is designed for use with the Volvo DiCE cable, based on the J2534 chipset – either the original cable or a proven clone from China. Alternatively, you can use Super J2534 or Mongoose JLR cable, instead of DiCE.

volvo-monitor by Łukasz Radziak
"Tool for logging Volvo parameters (MY2000-2009). Engine speed, boost, AFR etc."


Compatibility


🔸 FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Read here the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Have a question to ask and in need of an answer?
You can do it here on GitHub, on the discussions page , on Twitter and on LinkedIn on any of my publications about this open project.


Get a Notification on every PCB update

You can fill in your email here (Google form) and I'll send a reminder when a new PCB prototype is made available here or a new revision for an existing PCB. Stay tuned!

Legend

🟢 Hardware or firmware fully tested and working
A green circle means the hardware electronics or the firmware programming code was fully tested, each of its functionalities and capabilities. And it can be installed in a vehicle. Keep in mind this does not mean errors won't happen. As in everything related to electronics and software, there are revisions and updates. This open hardware is no different.

🟡 Hardware or firmware not tested. Working capability is unknown, it may work or not.
A yellow circle means the hardware electronics or the firmware programming code was not fully tested, each of its functionalities and capabilities. This does not mean it's not working, it simply means testing is needed before giving a green circle of approval.

🔴 Hardware or firmware fully tested but not working.
A red circle means the hardware electronics or the firmware programming code was fully tested, and found some kind of critical error or fault. This means the electronics or firmware code cannot be used in a vehicle.

Hardware Design/firmware programming not started.
The hourglass means the hardware electronics or the firmware programming hasn't started. This is most likely because it is waiting for the necessary test components needed for reverse engineering and also engineering of the new open solution.

🆕 New updated contents
The new icon means the link next to it was recently updated with new content. A reset is made at the end of each week when adding new content.

💬 Comments on the Discussion page
The comments icon means there are useful and even new comments on the discussions page important for what you are seeing or reading.

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