IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

Three dominant themesfrom the discussion

  1. Misunderstanding automotive voltage levels

    “14v is not a transient, if your voltage was 12v with the car running, there’s something wrong with the charging system (DC‑to‑DC in an EV, alternator/generator in an ICE).” — mixdup

  2. Cars are built from wiring looms (harnesses) rather than single cables

    “Cars usually consist of multiple harnesses … The harnesses are the cables in a car. That is the part you can purchase because that is the part.” — kube-system

  3. Tesla hackability – bench‑testing and the root‑access program

    “Having shell is extremely handy for further discovery.” — xyzzy123

These three themes capture the core technical discourse: voltage expectations, the modular nature of automotive wiring, and the community’s focus on hands‑on Tesla modification and reverse‑engineering.

🚀 Project Ideas

Generating project ideas…

Automotive Wiring Harness Finder & Loom Interpreter

Summary

  • Solves the confusion around automotive wiring looms/harnesses, connector part numbers, and wire-level specifications.
  • Provides a searchable database with vehicle-specific wiring diagrams, loom segmentation, and cross-referenced connector suppliers.
  • Core value: Eliminates guesswork when repairing or modifying vehicle electrical systems by clarifying terminology and part availability.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience DIY automotive enthusiasts, repair shops, electronics hobbyists working on vehicle modifications.
Core Feature Upload a vehicle VIN or select make/model/year to view interactive wiring diagrams, loom boundaries, connector pinouts, and vendor links for replacement parts.
Tech Stack React frontend, PostgreSQL with GIS for part cross-references, integration with OEM service manual APIs (where available).
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: Freemium (free basic diagrams; paid advanced features like transient specs & supplier discounts).

Notes

  • Addresses the core confusion in the thread about "loom vs. harness" and the surprise that individual cables aren't sold separately. Quote: "Turns out that actual cars don’t have individual cables... I was really surprised to read this" (kube-system).
  • Practical utility: Prevents buying wrong parts (e.g., the author's loom confusion) and aids in troubleshooting voltage/transient issues discussed.

Open Automotive Diagnostic Protocol Stack

Summary

  • Provides an open-source, unified framework for decoding and interacting with vehicle diagnostic protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, LVDS).
  • Includes a crowd-sourced database of DBC files, module mappings, and known good scan tool configurations.
  • Core value: Democratizes automotive diagnostics by replacing expensive proprietary tools with a free, extensible platform.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Car hobbyists, security researchers, independent mechanics, EV conversion builders.
Core Feature CLI/GUI tool that can read DTCs, live sensor data, and perform actuations across protocols; supports common USB-CAN adapters out of the box.
Tech Stack Python/Rust core, libsocketcan, Dockerized hardware abstraction, community-driven module database.
Difficulty High
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • Directly responds to the "ripe for open hardware/software love" sentiment (jcgrillo) and the difficulty reverse-engineering ECUs with Claude/Ghidra (colechristensen).
  • Enables projects like retrofitting adaptive shocks (nishanseal) by making module communication transparent.

Automotive Power Environment Simulator

Summary

  • A hardware + software service that realistically simulates vehicle power conditions: nominal 13-14V, cranking drops to 6V, alternator transients up to kV, and load dumps.
  • Includes pre-certified test profiles for common vehicle platforms (Tesla 12V/48V, ICE, etc.) and a dummy load board with automotive-grade protection.
  • Core value: Validates aftermarket electronics (e.g., brake controllers, infotainment modules) for real-world automotive electrical robustness before installation.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Electronics manufacturers, DIY hobbyists building vehicle accessories, repair shops testing failed components.
Core Feature Programmable DC power supply with transient generation; cloud-based test certification and database of compliant parts.
Tech Stack Arduino/FPGA-controlled power stage, Python API, web dashboard for test profiles.
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: Hardware kit sale + subscription for test profile updates/compliance database.

Notes

  • Tackles the voltage misconception thread (e.g., "14.4v vs normal 12v") and transient wildness (AlotOfReading). Quote: "Automotive transients can be wild... The power supplies took up most of the (very large) board."
  • Prevents failures like LikeBeans' brake controller issue by testing under real conditions.

Vehicle Software Modification Platform (VMP)

Summary

  • A secure platform for obtaining, managing, and deploying reversible root-level software modifications on supported vehicles (starting with Tesla).
  • Uses a hybrid approach: signed patches that survive OTA updates via hypervisor or hidden partition, with sandboxed user code execution.
  • Core value: Enables safe, community-driven customization (e.g., enabling new features, disabling checks) without bricking critical systems.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Tesla owners, EV hackers, researchers with bug bounty root access who want persistent modifications.
Core Feature One-click install of vetted community plugins (e.g., "enable adaptive shocks on older Model 3"); rollback to stock; OTA-resilient patch management.
Tech Stack Rust-based patch engine, secure enclave for signature verification, Qt-based UI (reusing Tesla's QtCar where possible).
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Paid plugin marketplace (revenue share with developers); free core platform.

Notes

  • Addresses the desire for permanent root access beyond Tesla's bug bounty program. Quote: "Having shell is extremely handy for further discovery" (xyzzy123) and the frustration of revoked certificates.
  • Leverages the fact that infotainment has "full access to the rest of the car" (denysvitali), enabling hardware retrofits via software.

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