Anybody in Boston Looking for a moto mod Project Idea?

If you want to share your idea here you can get multiple eyes looking at it and some feedback as to the viability. So many things are possible and if you get a team together you can join the Transform the Smartphone Challenger and get even more people involved with your idea.

Bah yeah, I don't know why I was hesitant to share it at first. Here's what I have written up:

I thought this would be an interesting mod because...well...I want it in my car. But also I haven't seen moto mods before where the mod is, like, a permanent stationary thing, and your phone is the thing that comes and goes. Know what I mean? Might spark other ideas (in-home, in-office, etc).

I honestly don't bring much to the table on this project. I'm an art director. I can do the graphic design/marketing for it, haha. I can also be the test car and phone if collaborators live in the Boston area.

What

A nav/audio unit that fits into a car's double din center dash, but your phone is the faceplate.

Why

Aftermarket nav/audio units are expensive and laggy.

2012+ OEM nav/audio units usually run on weird proprietary OSs...pre-2012 ones lack functionality.

Whatever system is in your dashboard, most people wind up connecting their phone to it somehow for audio anyway. And most people use their phones for navigation. With Motorola/Lenovo's moto mod system's sturdy magnetic docks and 16-pin connectors, maybe it's possible to cut out the middleman and have your trusty moto z be your car's main dashboard unit.

Most (all, even?) cars were not designed for phones and phone docks/holders. The suction cup on the windshield, the ones that block your air vents...they're all intrusive, uncomfortable and dangerous. As a former Lyft driver, I have first hand experience in fumbling around with weirdo docks with wires hanging all around. Cars have always been designed with a common, safe area to control your car's audio output and navigation: right in the center dashboard.

How It'd Work

Plop your phone right onto the dash and an app similar to android auto starts up.

Play music right from your phone to the car speakers via AM/FM radio, music from your phone or soundcloud/spotify/pandora apps.

Messages and calls through voice assistant.

Backup camera access when the car is put in reverse? Am I asking too much?

Don't worry about draining the battery, it gives you continuous charging.

Waah what about my iPhone?

Maybe not everyone who drives your car has a moto z. But they probably still want to listen to music, haha. Don't worry, there's a solve. Maybe...if it's possible? Again...I have no idea.

In addition to the kit, we also make a universal phone holder attached to a sturdy back plate. The backplate magnetically snaps into the spot on the dashboard the way the moto z would. The holder comes with the appropriate thunderbolt/usb3/usb2/whatever cable sticking out of it. Download/launch the app, snap the holder onto the dashboard, mount your non moto z phone onto the holder, plug in the cable and get (some of?) the same functionality.

Sidenote: if it's even possible, is this idea actually the unique/cool one? A docking plate that connects to moto mods and allows for almost universal access? Can that even work?

What if you're selling the car and are worried about the resale value?

I'd probably just put the stock radio back in and keep the moto mod for my next car.

You can look at Oxygen Audio O'Car for an example of something like what you are proposing. It's a similar concept but done with an iPhone. Some patents might have to be dealt with.

Oh wow, how did I not come across this?? Thank you for the link

Oh wow, how did I not come across this?? Thank you for the link