Automotive Hacking Liberation | Cross-Platform CANBus Communication
The Human Story: “Why should your hard-earned car artificially limit your speed on a private track? Why can’t you adjust the side mirror folding to your preferences? I built the app that gives drivers their freedom back.”
The Underground World: Midcity Engineering is automotive’s best-kept secret—they speak directly to car computers at manufacturer-level depth. But they had a capacity problem: cars physically dropping off at their garage.
The Technical Deep Dive: This wasn’t just mobile development—this was hardware archaeology. I had to:
- Master CANBus Protocols: Learn ISO-TP communication standards
- Bluetooth Low-Level: Bridge high-level apps with microcontroller constraints
- Cross-Platform Precision: Android + iOS apps with millisecond timing requirements
- Hardware Inconsistencies: Every car brand has quirks and edge cases
The Accountability Factor: When my timing mistakes affected performance, I waived payment for those hours. When you’re messing with someone’s cherished car, integrity isn’t optional.
The Impact:
- Business: Removed physical capacity constraints for specialized automotive services
- Human: Drivers get personalized vehicle behavior that reduces stress and increases safety
- Technical: Modern languages talking to 1990s car computers seamlessly
What’s Next: Apps heading to app stores, IoT manufacturing integration, and potential server infrastructure as they scale.
Tech Stack: React Native, Bluetooth LE, CANBus/ISO-TP, Android/iOS, Microcontroller Communication
“Sometimes the most advanced technology is about giving people simple control over their own stuff.”
