Sunday, January 18, 2015

My Sketch Design Concept of a 1 DIN Car Stereo Head Unit by Razer.

After seeing Razer announced its Forge TV running Android TV, and many other manufacturers' Android AUTO head unit on CES 2015, I wonder wouldn't it be cool that Razer make a car head unit that runs on Android as well?

Why Razer? Well, I really hope to see a commodity product from Singapore getting recognition globally. While there is still Creative, Razer is more suited for this case with its fore-running image in embracing technology. My design also has many Razer design elements incorporated and some parts can even be reused from Razer's existing arsenal of products.
Besides, Razer has a current ecosystem which is more compatible with the software of this design and therefore has more potential in the future during the product's lifetime. Razer also has  experience in numerous audio products already. 
(Lets not debate on whether Razer can be considered a Singaporean brand here)

Hardware
As can be seen from the sketch below, there are no breakthrough or impossible technology here. Just a design that provides the best consumer package to satisfy the most demanding user.

Specifications
The top of the line specifications are chosen to ensure the unit is at least future proof for the next 5 to 10 years. Using close to stock Android as the native OS also means updates can be timely and relatively easy. Collaborations with other app developers such as Sygic can also ensure these useful navigation or car apps get bundled together with the product for sale.

Design
I chose a 1 DIN layout instead of the more common 2 DIN for touch screen head units because of a few reasons. With a 1 DIN layout, users can use the free space for their car meters such as Boost, Temperature or Pressure gauges. They could also just use the free space as a storage area for their phones when connecting to the head unit for Android AUTO or Apple CarPlay.
The materials used have to be high quality as this is supposed to be a premium product. Elements should also make existing Razer customers feel right at home.

I guess the rest can be seen from the sketch itself.

NAME
The name of the product is the Razer KOMODO Chroma. I was so engrossed in thinking how the embossed name should look like that I royally mispelled KOMODO as KODOMO. Epic FAIL there.
Komodo is chosen as that is the predatory 4 legged reptile, the Komodo dragon. Kodomo, actually means Children in Japanese > <
For Razer users, you probably already know what the 'Chroma' means. Its just a term to signify that the color of lighting on the product can be changed.
Anyway, I once thought of calling this unit the Razer Sleipnir, which is an eight legged horse in Norse mythology. But I end up choosing the more reptilian name.
For the in-car camera, I chose the name Razer Boa as boas generally have good eyesight.