Mercedes Touch Controller Integration
The problem with aftermarket components is usually integration and control. If you have an aftermarket HUD, it usually comes with its own controller that must be fitted to the car. An Android head unit can be controlled with a mouse/touchpad best, if the touch screen is not easily reached. It would be great if all these separate control points could be integrated into one.
COMAND controllers have gone through multiple iterations over the years. They started as a knob on the actual COMAND unit and gradually evolved into a rotary knob that could move in 5 directions in addition to the rotary action. Their latest iteration includes a touchpad in addition to the knob and are a perfect fit for an Android headunit. We could use the touchpad as a mouse on the Android side, in addition to the knob. We could also repurpose the knob for triple duty between a HUD and an Android unit and the stock COMAND system.
As a bonus we should add some backlighting to the knob, to go with our ambient illumination system. The OEM solution is a little…dark.
This project will run in 3 stages:
1 – Figure out a way to fit the upgraded touch controller into existing space. 3D print custom brackets and other mounting solutions. Make all necessary cuts, trims and re-wrap all leather components. 3D print custom LED ring and wire 3535 LEDs to fit.
2 – Create all necessary harness and hardware components and plan hardware/software integration.
3 – Decode OEM touch controller CAN communication and generate all necessary software for integration. Duplicate HUD BLE controller using custom MCU.
Project Specs
- Integration with Mercedes touch controller and knob
- Translation of CAN communication to HID and USB
- Translation of CAN communication to HID and BLE
- Fully customizable button mapping
- Fully customizable touchpad mapping/sensitivity
- Expanded and repurposed OEM palm rest
- Custom made palm rest extension wrapped in Alcantara and OEM Mercedes leather
Further details are available here: Mercedes Touch Controller Integration – Part 3 – Absolute Car Mods
