OVMS: Open source electric vehicle remote monitoring, diagnosis and control
The Open Vehicle Monitoring System (OVMS) offers an open-source solution for EV monitoring, diagnosis, and control, allowing owners to bypass manufacturer limitations and regain data privacy. This project resonates deeply with Hacker News readers who lament the automotive industry's trend of locking down vehicle systems and monetizing basic features through subscriptions. While the $345 hardware cost is a point of discussion, many see it as a worthy investment for reclaiming ownership and control over their vehicles' data.
The Lowdown
The Open Vehicle Monitoring System (OVMS) is an open-source initiative providing comprehensive remote monitoring, diagnosis, and control capabilities for electric vehicles. It offers a powerful alternative to proprietary manufacturer systems, emphasizing user data privacy and control.
- Live Monitoring: Provides real-time data on critical vehicle metrics such as state of charge, temperatures, tire pressures, and diagnostic fault conditions, offering a deeper insight into vehicle internals.
- Customizable Alerts: Delivers push notifications for crucial events like charge aborts, battery cell failures, or potential theft.
- Advanced Control: Enables users to manage charging processes, climate control, and even engine tuning parameters, with scripting capabilities for advanced automation and external system integration.
- Broad Accessibility: Features a built-in Web App UI and native mobile applications for both Android and iOS. It also integrates with home automation systems via MQTT and supports data logging to SD cards or external servers.
- Open Source Philosophy: The project is entirely open source, empowering users to add desired features, operate without regional restrictions, and maintain full control over their personal vehicle data.
- Developer-Friendly: Offers extensive tools for developers, including three CAN buses, various CAN tools, an OBD2 translator, DBC decoder, reverse engineering toolkit, SSH access, and WebSocket streaming for CAN frame manipulation.
OVMS stands as a significant project for EV owners seeking to bypass proprietary ecosystems, offering unparalleled transparency and control over their vehicle's operations and data.
The Gossip
OEM Obstacles & Ownership Ordeals
A dominant theme revolved around car manufacturers' increasing efforts to restrict access to vehicle systems, particularly the CAN bus. Commenters expressed frustration that OEMs are implementing "security features" like CAN gateway modules to lock down data, thereby forcing users into proprietary ecosystems and enabling subscription-based revenue models. There's a strong sentiment that if owners cannot fully access and control their vehicle's internal systems, they don't truly own the car.
Value vs. Vendor Vexations
Discussion included the OVMS hardware cost of $345, weighing it against the value proposition. Many users found the price point reasonable, especially when compared to the recurring fees charged by manufacturers for often buggy, less-featured, and privacy-invasive services. The ability to gain privacy and enhanced control for a one-time purchase, despite additional SIM card costs, was seen as a compelling advantage.
Integration & Implementation Insights
Commenters explored practical aspects of OVMS implementation and potential alternatives. Concerns were raised about the need for 'CAN tap cables' to bypass manufacturer restrictions and the potential for devices plugged into the OBD port to drain the 12V battery when the car is off. Some also pondered if existing devices like comma.ai could offer similar functionalities, while others noted the lack of publicly available PCB layouts for hardware customization.