Cadillac Escalade - An Apple A Day

In-car Computing Highlights This Canuck Caddy

By Derek Lee

Photography by Derek Lee

Take the coolest pickup on the market and fill it with electronics without compromising the look of the vehicle or limiting its utility. That is what makes the latest class project to come out of Mobile Dynamics Installation School in Toronto, Canada such a balancing act. The Cadillac Escalade EXT is a luxuriated variation of the Chevy Avalanche, complete with a "midgate" that allows the back end to open into a cavernous cargo area. It would be easy to fill the space with loads of electronics, but that would wipe out the flexibility. The challenge was to integrate a substantial audio system, multi-zone video, navigation and a full-bore computer with wireless Bluetooth networking capability without making the vehicle look like a rolling retail showroom. The fact that the seats fold down and the rear wall holds the removable rear glass doesn't make it any easier.

[The challenge was to integrate a substantial audio system, multi-zone video, navigation and a full-bore computer with wireless Bluetooth networking capability without making the vehicle look like a rolling retail showroom.]

The first task was to nuke the factory Delco Bose audio system without compromising GM's data buss electrical system. A Soundgate adapter prevents the vehicle's body control module from complaining about the missing radio, and allows a combination navigation/computer monitor to reside in the factory head unit's original location. This display switches between the navigation system and the Apple OS-X computer operating system, which is the key feature that stands out in this vehicle. The Apple Powerbook G4 serves as a control system and music/video server.

The computer can access the Internet for surfing or email via a wireless connection handled by a Bluetooth-enabled wireless phone. Apple's iTunes software provides MP3's for the audio system. The laptop's internal DVD drive also acts as an additional source for the four-zone video system. In addition to acting as a playback device, the Powerbook is a vehicle control center. For instance, when the Viper security system is tripped, it can signal the Powerbook to activate interior and exterior cameras and stream the images to an off-site digital video recorder for a great piece of court evidence.

Accessing the computer can be done in two different ways. With a small piece of custom software, various vehicle features can be controlled with a single control knob. An outboard data acquisition card can measure conditions at several points, such as the vehicle speed sensor output, which is tapped for navigation data. As the status is shown on the screen, a quick twist and press of the control knob activates the desired response. The other method of controlling the computer is by voice. The Mac operating system provides voice activation right out of the box. Writing a few Applescripts allows for voice commands to trigger vehicle functions. This is especially handy if you want to control something that has no GM switch close at hand.

A Clarion DVD with motorized touch screen, which replaced the factory CD changer in the console, controls the conventional audio/video system. It routes entertainment via the Clarion four-zone video switcher. This can deliver a different image to each Clarion LCD monitor (headrests, front passenger visor) and the DVD player's own motorized screen. Audio can be heard either through the Whitefire Digital wireless multi-channel headsets, or via Phoenix Gold amplifiers and the MB Quart speaker system. Each passenger can enjoy a different audio or video source all at the same time.

To maintain a clean look, the vehicle has very little in the way of decals. For shows, it travels with its own stand up banners that list the industry sponsors and their products with much more detail than would be possible with decals. The modest exterior mods include the addition of only a billet grille and a set of 22" x 9.5" Chip Foose wheels wrapped with Toyo tires. The only real obvious exterior difference is the custom fiberglass cabinet that sits on top of the rear seat cover and fires through the removable rear window. A Clarion rear camera compensates for the reduced vision via any of the LCD screens.

This Escalade is more than just a test platform or proof of concept. It appears at various events around the northeastern U.S. and Canada and after its tour of duty it will be offered for sale, complete with the system. And then, it's on to the next project. For more photos and construction details, visit the website at www.mobiledynamics.com/escalade.html. v

DRIVER PROFILE This Escalade is the latest project devised by Derek Lee and his highly skilled instructors. Past projects include the Fusion Jetta and the GMC Safari S'cool Bus, which also appeared in Car Audio and Electronics. "We could spend time working in a retail shop to keep sharp, but it's more fun to create extreme ideas and conquer the challenges that result," states Lee. "These projects force our instructors to create future techniques that will ultimately become retail practices for professional installers while involving our students who attend from across North America. By creating something to stretch our abilities, we keep ahead of the industry." Why the Escalade? "At the first car show where the S'cool Bus was revealed, we saw how the crowds mobbed the vehicle. We immediately decided to consider our next project based on a few very specific needs. First, we wanted a cool vehicle. Second, we wanted to be different, so we chose the EXT, which is fairly rare compared to the popular Yukon knockoff. Finally, we decided to incorporate in-car computing, Bluetooth short-range wireless connectivity and audio-video personalized entertainment in a design that would keep the interior functional. Maybe three shops in the U.S. have tried in-car computing -- it's a topic worth adding to our training program. We might be at a car show or other events in places like Pennsylvania or Indiana and our graduates that were involved in the project show up and help out at the show. They think it's great to be able to show their friends firsthand what cutting edge things they were doing when they were away at school. Since many of our students attend our Toronto facility from the eastern half of the U.S., we are planning to display the vehicle through more shows in the various eastern states." Derek Lee is best known for his "Troubleshooting" column and for feature articles that have appeared in Car Audio and Electronics magazine over the past several years. He and his associates started Mobile Dynamics. "I am really thankful that my parents supported my decision [to pursue a career in car audio], although they thought I was on drugs for wanting to. I could have been a dentist or a computer programmer, but how enjoyable is that? People do a much better job when they like what they're doing. Life is too short to hate your job." --Staff

Which Exterior Design Would You Choose? These two options are the finalists for an exterior decal treatment if we actually decide to flash up the vehicle in a serious way. We can't settle on the best choice. Which version would you most like to see live at car shows? Log on to caraudiomag.com to find out how to vote for your choice. You will be presented with four choices: Version A, Version B, Both Designs Suck, and Don't Mess With It. Thanks for your input!