[brianbri6]

Hi everyone I am in the middle of development of an android app that does what OVMS/Onstar can do and more like roll all windows up or down, ajar trunk, ect. All you need is a spare android phone with sms or data services and OBDLink MX bluetooth adapter connected to OBD2 port. Would anyone be interested in such an app?

Link to my dev page in google play store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=MyVoltApp

Below are screenshots of sms messages to and from car.

 

[sosimple]

I've been testing the app for a few weeks now on my Ampera and it works great. We never got OnStar in Europe and this app makes up for it. Really happy.

 

[lezouave]

I am interested. I did download MyVoltLifetime, and it worked to reset the display in the car. It appears to only modify that value and not the underlying data, which of course is good.

Is this new post here to get a feel for how much interest there might be, or are you looking for testers? If so, I have a spare phone to leave in the car, If I have understood rightly.

 

[namefast]

Very nice Brian keep up the good work!

 

[brianbri6]

I am interested. I did download MyVoltLifetime, and it worked to reset the display in the car. It appears to only modify that value and not the underlying data, which of course is good.

Is this new post here to get a feel for how much interest there might be, or are you looking for testers? If so, I have a spare phone to leave in the car, I have have understood rightly.

I wouldn't mind another tester but you will also need a OBDLink MX Bluetooth for everything to work correctly.

 

[longflare]

No Onstar in Australia either.
Sounds like a pretty handy solution.
The spare phone needs cell access right, can't use a phone without a SIM?
Have been playing with MyGreenVolt and feel I need more interaction

 

[sosimple]

The spare phone needs cell access right, can't use a phone without a SIM

It depends. To really have an OnStar replacement experience, you would need to be able to reliably remotely interact with the car, thus requiring cell service.

On the other hand, MyVoltStar does allow commands to be generated locally. For example, I live in an apartment building whose garage is two levels underground and has no cell reception. Until this app appeared I never could use the pre-conditioning function. Now, I have MyVoltStar scheduled to pre-condition the car.

 

[canehdian]

Scheduled preconditioning is a nice thing to have, should have been available in the car.
Nice little project you have going. I still have onstar service, but will be following it as that comes to an end. (but really just for gathering of stats/scheduled precondition - I will still be able to use onstar for lock/unlock/remote start for years)

 

[gecd]

for iPhone is not present in your application?

 

[FirstFlight]

I'd like to make an iPhone version for this. Is the full command set available?

 

[z80]

I'm flagging this thread. Looks good. As a fellow software developer, I love creative projects like this. One big benefit is that I bet it will is much more responsive that waiting for the standard OnStar infrastructure to connect to the vehicle.

For me, this would be easily to implement as I leave an extra Android phone laying in each vehicle that I use for mapping and media. It's only hooked to WiFi but everywhere I park has WiFi and, if not, I can leave the Mofi on.

A couple of questions...

(1) Windows down : can that be just two windows or a single window and can be it set to just "crack" the window open, such as "one second of down" ?

(2) Is there information available to you on charge status, modes and charge rates, and perhaps even be able to alter mode and rate?

(3) When I added your application to my "watch list"in the Google Play store, I saw MyGreenVolt. A basic status display similar to their "Dashboard" would be useful to have in a single application with a single connection to the Bluetooth adapter.

(4) An option to display the battery temperatures in °F would be appreciated.

Ooops, that was four questions. Well, four comment-question somethings. Anyhow, I'll be watching with interest as I look for a OBD-II Bluetooth adapter...

Cheerios!

 

[brianbri6]

I'd like to make an iPhone version for this. Is the full command set available?

There is no command set. It is just a combination of a few messages that is sent to the bus to perform functions. Finding the messages is easy or hard depends on who you ask. I used this guide https://theksmith.com/software/hack-vehicle-bus-cheap-easy-part-1/ which helped a bunch.

 

[z80]

There is no command set. It is just a combination of a few messages that is sent to the bus to perform functions. Finding the messages is easy or hard depends on who you ask. I used this guide https://theksmith.com/software/hack-vehicle-bus-cheap-easy-part-1/ which helped a bunch.

That's a great resource! Saved as a PDF for a future resto-mod project...

 

[brianbri6]

I'm flagging this thread. Looks good. As a fellow software developer, I love creative projects like this. One big benefit is that I bet it will is much more responsive that waiting for the standard OnStar infrastructure to connect to the vehicle.

For me, this would be easily to implement as I leave an extra Android phone laying in each vehicle that I use for mapping and media. It's only hooked to WiFi but everywhere I park has WiFi and, if not, I can leave the Mofi on.

A couple of questions...

(1) Windows down : can that be just two windows or a single window and can be it set to just "crack" the window open, such as "one second of down" ?

(2) Is there information available to you on charge status, modes and charge rates, and perhaps even be able to alter mode and rate?

(3) When I added your application to my "watch list"in the Google Play store, I saw MyGreenVolt. A basic status display similar to their "Dashboard" would be useful to have in a single application with a single connection to the Bluetooth adapter.

(4) An option to display the battery temperatures in °F would be appreciated.

Ooops, that was four questions. Well, four comment-question somethings. Anyhow, I'll be watching with interest as I look for a OBD-II Bluetooth adapter...

Cheerios!

Thanks for the interest. To answer your questions.

1. The default is set that all windows roll up or down at the moment. I can set it in a future update if you want each individual window control from a sms. I cannot set it to crack the window just yet it may be a possibility in the future.

2. The app sends you in a message SOC:"RAW SOC" Fuel:"in Gallons or Liters" OAT:"Outside Temp in F or C" AC cur:"Charger Amperage" volt:"Charger Voltage" Last Chr:"Total Watt hours AC charger consumed since last plug-in". I know how to make changes to charge mode from delayed to immediate and vice versa but I have yet to test if it will work from the Volt powered off. I can read the schedule that is set in the radio but haven't decoded all the hex values yet.

3. My app is intended to be used while vehicle is powered off and only connects to bluetooth when needed then it disconnects and puts adapter into sleep mode.

4. I could display batt temp the same as mygreenvolt but within a status message.

 

[z80]

Thanks for the interest. To answer your questions.

1. The default is set that all windows roll up or down at the moment. I can set it in a future update if you want each individual window control from a sms. I cannot set it to crack the window just yet it may be a possibility in the future.

2. The app sends you in a message SOC:"RAW SOC" Fuel:"in Gallons or Liters" OAT:"Outside Temp in F or C" AC cur:"Charger Amperage" volt:"Charger Voltage" Last Chr:"Total Watt hours AC charger consumed since last plug-in". I know how to make changes to charge mode from delayed to immediate and vice versa but I have yet to test if it will work from the Volt powered off. I can read the schedule that is set in the radio but haven't decoded all the hex values yet.

3. My app is intended to be used while vehicle is powered off and only connects to bluetooth when needed then it disconnects and puts adapter into sleep mode.

4. I could display batt temp the same as mygreenvolt but within a status message.

Is this the interface you recommend?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006NZTZLQ

Does the program have a debug mode where it dumps raw data?

Reply 1: The windows are something of a biggie for me. I know the window regulators today aren't what they used to be and don't want to wear them out, especially since I would use this every hot day to crack a window open before I walk outside.

Reply 2: Results, excellent. As to whether you can do it with the Volt powered off, I discovered that one can press the MyLink power button and make changes without "starting" the car. Perhaps that is a clue.

Reply 3: The other application would still fill that need.

Reply 4: It could be interesting but myGreenVolt would also scratch that itch.

 

[dlaciv12]

I'm interested in beta testing too but I only have a ELM327 adapter so I don't know if it will work. Also, I'm on a Nexus 6P with Android 7.1.1 is that a problem? Finally, when I click on the link in your OP I only see 2 apps: MyVoltLifetime and MyVoltSMS. Is there some reason I can't see MyVoltStar?

I hope I can help. I'm not a coder but I love helping coders develop awesome stuff like this!

 

[brianbri6]

Is this the interface you recommend?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006NZTZLQ

Does the program have a debug mode where it dumps raw data?

Reply 1: The windows are something of a biggie for me. I know the window regulators today aren't what they used to be and don't want to wear them out, especially since I would use this every hot day to crack a window open before I walk outside.

Reply 2: Results, excellent. As to whether you can do it with the Volt powered off, I discovered that one can press the MyLink power button and make changes without "starting" the car. Perhaps that is a clue.

Reply 3: The other application would still fill that need.

Reply 4: It could be interesting but myGreenVolt would also scratch that itch.

Yes that interface is the only interface that is fully compatible with the Volt. I wouldnt call it a debug mode it is a monitor mode. It has terminal software for windows you can download from scantool.net website.

 

[brianbri6]

I'm interested in beta testing too but I only have a ELM327 adapter so I don't know if it will work. Also, I'm on a Nexus 6P with Android 7.1.1 is that a problem? Finally, when I click on the link in your OP I only see 2 apps: MyVoltLifetime and MyVoltSMS. Is there some reason I can't see MyVoltStar?

I hope I can help. I'm not a coder but I love helping coders develop awesome stuff like this!

You will need to buy a https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mxbt/ or build one yourself here http://ahdesign.us/blog/stn1170-bluetooth-obdii-adapter/. To be a tester you will need the hardware first no other OBD2 dongle is compatible with my app, then I will need your gmail email on the play store to grant you access to my app as a tester. I am nearing the limit on how many free testers I am supporting, a few more free testing positions are open until filled. I need someone with a Gen 2 to test this app if it even works and more UK testers.

 

[brianbri6]

I'm interested in beta testing too but I only have a ELM327 adapter so I don't know if it will work. Also, I'm on a Nexus 6P with Android 7.1.1 is that a problem? Finally, when I click on the link in your OP I only see 2 apps: MyVoltLifetime and MyVoltSMS. Is there some reason I can't see MyVoltStar?

I hope I can help. I'm not a coder but I love helping coders develop awesome stuff like this!

You need to be on the alpha email list with an acquired OBDLink MX to see app and be a tester.

I am also working on a DIY guide that will bypass the phone and OBDLink MX bluetooth requirement but it is a DIY. You will need to hack up this Anydata OBD2 GPS tracker module with cellular from EBay it has the same hardware/STN chip as the OBDLink MX, get an Arduino with a optional gsm (gprs, sms), wifi, or bluetooth module for connectivity, code some stuff and you will need some basic smt soldering skills.

 

[brianbri6]

I'm interested in beta testing too but I only have a ELM327 adapter so I don't know if it will work. Also, I'm on a Nexus 6P with Android 7.1.1 is that a problem? Finally, when I click on the link in your OP I only see 2 apps: MyVoltLifetime and MyVoltSMS. Is there some reason I can't see MyVoltStar?

I hope I can help. I'm not a coder but I love helping coders develop awesome stuff like this!

A ELM327 will not work at all. You need to be on the alpha gmail list with an OBDLink MX in possession to see app and be a alpha tester.

I am also working on a DIY guide that will bypass the phone and OBDLink MX bluetooth requirement but it is a DIY. You will need to hack up this Anydata OBD2 GPS tracker module with cellular from EBay it has the same hardware/STN chip as the OBDLink MX, get an Arduino with a optional gsm (gprs, sms), wifi, or bluetooth module for connectivity, code some stuff in Arduino, and last you will need some basic smt soldering skills.

A test from the cloud ☁ to car. Testing my DIY project http://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_Pe-bgKRV/