An attention to quality finishes and equipment mark this 2007 Audi RS4 built for Ajay Juneja. The CEO of Speak With Me, Inc., a voice recognition software company, wanted a vehicle to promote and demo his products. Sound Innovations in Hayward, California stepped up to create the high-end and completely custom in-car entertainment system.

SOURCE
To run the sound system, system designer Ernie Onate and installer Daniel Campos tore apart an Alpine DVI-9990 F#1 headunit and installed it in two places. The body dropped into the OEM location. A powder-coated aluminum frame holds it in place and also houses the motor  and attachment points for the Xenarc touchscreen. Campos built a custom frame from ABS and body filler taking a cue from the OEM head unit. As an extra touch, he hijacked a blank button above to open and close the monitor.

Meanwhile, the faceplate from the F#1 was mounted down by the shifter with the help of a housing made from ABS and body filler. Not afraid to get out a screwdriver, Campos took apart another head unit and used its parts to create a mounting base and connection points.

COMPUTER
Since Ajay uses the Audi to demo his Speak with Me voice recognition software, a number of applications have to be accessible through the Xenarc touchscreen. Firstly, the video from the Alpine F#1 head unit is displayed. Secondly, all the feed from an Apple Mac Mini computer (located behind the rear seat along with an Alpine PXI-H990 processor) is connected.  Ajay can then demonstrate how his software works in conjunction with navigation, music, videos, and other applications.

In the Details: Extra details in the cabin include a custom shift knob that holds a microswitch. This switch activates a microphone for the voice recognition software. The Speak with Me logo was flushed into the top. The rear seats (see part 2) have pop motors with hidden microswitches. When folded down, the rear seats provide access to the processor, computer and other devices in the trunk.

Go to part 2.