We've reported in the past about hacking one's Prius in the search for higher mileage, but what about what about diving into the hybrid's matrix of bits and bytes in search of a more enlightening computing experience? (In the interest of full disclosure, I'm blogging this on a Powerbook G4, have an iMac G5 in the other room and am at the mercy of no less than three iPods.) Regardless of your operating system preference, one has to appreciate the hack job of Jeremy Kusnetz, a systems architect from Leesburg, VA. Kusnets states his original motivation was to devise a way to take his entire iTunes library on the road with him and have and also for his young daughter to watch DVDs on long trips. I won't embarrass myself by attempting to explain how he did it, but the result is a Mac Mini installed in a cubbyhole of the Prius's center console. Not content using the Apple Remote to control the interface of Front Row on the Mac, Kusnetz programmed the Prius's touchscreen to handle commands for the computer.
You can check out a video of the MacPrius in action here on the designer's website.
[Source: Kusnetz.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gunnar Heinrich @ Jun 20th 2006 7:35PM
Mr. Kusnetz will eventually have to worry about those wretched Type-1 and Type-2 errors.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
Robert @ Jun 20th 2006 8:01PM
Type-1 and Type-2 errors? How 90's.
The mini runs on OS X. Its protected memory eliminated those errors about 5 years ago.
Talis @ Jun 20th 2006 8:31PM
COOL! I wonder if he'll do this to my GMC Sierra Denali.
shiznannigan @ Jun 20th 2006 8:49PM
He and his daughter are going to be pretty bummed out when they drive through one of the many states that doesn't allow a video screen in view of the driver... or when those laws are passed in his home state. Drivers are distracted enough these days. A computer with a touchscreen in the middle of your dashboard? What could POSSIBLY go wrong?
AutoFan @ Jun 20th 2006 9:11PM
He should make it a plug in hybrid that runs on biodiesel and solar power and re-cover all the seats in hemp fiber. That would make it the Most Polarizing Car in the World.
Cameron @ Jun 20th 2006 10:29PM
#4 AutoFan,
That would be just about the coolest car ever.
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AutoFan @ Jun 21st 2006 1:43AM
#2 Robert:
No, with Type 1 and Type 2 errors, obviously Gunnar just thinks the Prius is a Volkswagen.
iQuack @ Jun 21st 2006 2:05AM
If I were in Monrovia, CA, I'd go to any printing company other than Abet which is nothing but a cheap spammer.
SCRAM!
Yaroukh @ Jun 21st 2006 4:08AM
June 2003: "Tatra Mac G4 - fastest Mac on the four wheels?"
http://www.mujmac.cz/art/hw/tatra_mac_eng.html
GhostDoggy @ Jun 21st 2006 8:26AM
Why is it called a 'mini' when its >3500 pounds? Only they could sell a car with minimalist interior dimensions and nothing else and get a premium for it. lol
Moot @ Jun 21st 2006 9:53AM
Man, you guys love to hate. "a touch screen computer in the dash what could go wrong" The guy basically reverse engineered a Prius, hacked it and installed a Mac Mini, it safe to say he's smart enough to use his discretion when operating a car.
Read the guy's blog, its a very impressive run down on what went into making this happen.
AutoFan @ Jun 21st 2006 1:31PM
Moot: I think this is one of those things that's both pretty cool and pretty stupid all at once.
hitbyastick @ Jun 21st 2006 5:31PM
AutoFan beat me to it. Neat but stupid.
Prii still look like dorkmobiles. And this Kuntznetz fool, see how long it takes him to have an accident from being distracted by trying to punch in coordinates while drinking a double-grande-mocha- latte while talking on a cellphone in morning rush hour traffic. DC area is full of enough distraction on the road without this bleep bloop BS nerd-o Star Trek fanboy crap. Somebody like that collides with me I'm gonna get the Cochran firm to help me liquidate their assets, including their children.
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Shirlee @ Nov 14th 2007 3:46PM
Have been driving a Prius 05 for 2 years. Best car I've ever owned. Maintenance free. Fuel tops. Wish I could have it this way forever-Also a beauty and 6'5" son can stretch legs in back seat!