🛠️ The Project: SDR – Smart Driver Tool
SDR is a smart in-car platform I built to upgrade any vehicle — even those without built-in systems — with features that improve comfort, productivity, and multimedia access. It’s designed to be compact, intuitive, and easy to install, running on a touchscreen device powered by Raspberry Pi.
The system supports:
- Music and video playback
- Viewing photos and files on the road
- GPS navigation
- Transferring and accessing files directly from a home PC
- Notes and reminders during travel
All communications and file transfers were secured and encrypted to ensure both privacy and integrity of the data — an essential layer of security for any modern connected system.
It was important to me that everything be integrated into one interface — no clunky accessories or multiple apps, just one clean experience tailored to the driver’s real needs.
💡 Why I Built It
Most infotainment systems in cars are expensive, limited in functionality, or overly complicated. I wanted to create something smarter — a tool that brings together essential features like navigation, media, and file access in one system. SDR was built for anyone who wants a smarter, more personalized in-car experience without breaking the bank.
⚙️ How It Works
The project is written in Python and runs on Kali Linux (Debian) installed on a Raspberry Pi 3 with a connected touchscreen. It uses modules like tkinter for the GUI, and socket for secure file transfers. I also designed a desktop companion app that lets users send files from their home computer directly to the in-car system.
The interface is simple: one main screen with buttons for file transfers, GPS, music, videos, and images. Behind the scenes, multithreading and socket communication handle multiple operations at once — for example, streaming music while receiving files from a connected device.
🚀 2025 Upgrades: Smarter, Faster, and Connected
Recently, I revisited the project and added a suite of powerful new features:
- Advanced GPS navigation with live traffic and voice directions
- Encrypted file transfer, now improved with better performance and added logging
- Spotify integration for native streaming in the car
- Connection to my personal AI assistant, enabling voice commands to play music, launch apps, access notes, and more
- Offline media caching, for uninterrupted access even without signal
- Refined UI design for a smoother experience across all screens
The result? A lightweight, portable car system with features that rival far more expensive commercial platforms.
💻 Technical Background
I’ve been programming since I was 9. Over the years, I’ve built many projects, but this one stands out because of its complexity and real-world utility. I applied skills from networking, UI design, systems integration, and cyber hygiene — and tied it all together into a complete, working solution.
Final Thoughts
SDR wasn’t just a school project — it was a chance to solve a real-world problem in a hands-on, creative way. I’m proud of the system I built, both in its original version and with the new upgrades.
Special thanks to my mentor, Golan Mor, who guided me throughout the program and encouraged me to keep pushing the limits.