2024 Kia EV6, stock head unit.
Edit with some quick notes because I didn't realize this blew up:
This is NOT yet usable as a replacement to stock. Working:
- Boots! (32 bit only because stock is 32bit, so no AAOS)
- Display
- Touch
- WiFi
- Maybe BT
- Maybe Modem (not gonna test that)
- GPS (uses translation daemon)
- Climate/controls/sensors/some energy stats - as much as MICOM provides anyway (uses translation daemon)
- GPU
- VPU (really need to test more)
Not working yet:
- Audio/amp control
- Power sequencing like when to turn off display, wake/sleep etc
- Any kind of head unit experience (this will come later, I'll try AGL first, and if I can get 64 bit then I'll try AAOS)
Use NEMESIS to get root on Android: https://github.com/xwtk/hmg_nemesis
Blog post that has a small section on this: https://w-floyd.com/2026/10/notes-on-llms-part-01/#2024-kia-ev6-head-unit I'll post more there as I find the time. I am using LLMs for a lot of the heavy lifting as I try things out (never to write my blog). I link to my GitHub repos there, where this work is being actively pushed.
I only bought this car a week ago.
Don't be an idiot and actually reflash your unit if you try this - I am using kexec to boot from an image from the USB, so this is completely nondestructive (NEMESIS is what actually is installed to the system).
Some more photos!
It’s not the doom that’s impressive, it’s installing a Linux distro in a car…
Spot on. I would love to do the same to my car but it's locked down tighter than a duck's arse.
Yeah... to an extent.
Man, don't get me wrong: for an early project this is cool. I am not trying to rain on someone's parade.
It's cool! Super cool! I am glad they had fun.
But dude, I am a systems engineer. You wouldn't believe the shit I have recompiled kernels for.
That's the thing. Super happy for them. Awesome! And I am sure they learned some shit along the way, and that is so great!
I deeply encourage people to learn, experiment and create.
But I am getting a lot of backlash, but lets make this clearer:
I have been working professionally in systems, networking, and programming hands on for 30 years. Cool, and neat, and an interesting thing to try when we have a weekend and a 12 pack.
Curious where they hit the brick walls. No details there. Just pics and some base notes.
Props to OP, and I apologize for I guess being a dick for half-shrugging... while I worked today as a systems engineering manager.
So many responses: do you all go to work or sleep or have social activities? Just read? Man, but I am a troll; not you, just what others have said.
You know, I took an old iphone and made it a webserver. Why? I was high, to be honest.
Why? Because the dude on my couch challenged me. It even ran wordpress (though the db was running off my server). Why? Man, we were fucking stoned.
And it was annoying because he wasn't helping, just there. Like when playing basketball and someone is trying to block your shot and all you wanted to do was play Horse.
Drunk ramble?
No.
Oh no, it sucks, because now I am management. But I do get to design new solutions: that part is pretty dope.
It is just a pain in the ass to get a proper budget.