Development
From prototype to vehicle.
The development process and current progress of the 100 Series HVAC Controller.
Factory architecture
A new interface. The original HVAC foundation.
On factory-navigation-equipped vehicles, navigation and climate interaction share the original screen. Removing it creates an HVAC-control problem as well as an audio upgrade.
Factory HVAC ECU retained
The controller works around the existing HVAC ECU rather than replacing the entire HVAC system.
Lower controls retained
The factory A/C assembly and lower switch/control panel remain in place. Aftermarket head-unit integration is a separate system.
Development in public
From mechanical prototypes to vehicle testing.
The project’s IH8MUD thread documents physical prototype updates and testing in the development vehicle. The discussion includes owner questions and interest as the work progresses.
Read the original updates for their context. Community discussion does not establish compatibility with another vehicle or factory configuration.
THE PROCESS.
Development process
- 01 — Identify the problem
- Vehicle-specific integration problems worth solving.
- 02 — Vehicle research
- Understand original systems and the physical environment.
- 03 — Prototype
- Electrical, firmware, harness and mechanical prototypes.
- 04 — Bench validation
- Verify hardware and core operation before vehicle use.
- 05 — Vehicle validation
- Test in actual vehicles.
- 06 — Application validation
- Confirm individual model-year and configuration applications.
- 07 — Production engineering
- Refine manufacturability, documentation, testing and packaging.
100 Series HVAC Controller
CURRENT HVAC DEVELOPMENT.
Development began on the 2006 Lexus LX470 platform. A separate real 2005 LX470 received an external prototype installation and reached normal HVAC operation using the existing controller and harness architecture. The 2005 application is Fully Validated. 2003–2007 Lexus LX470 factory-navigation-equipped applications are Fully Validated. Continued real-world driving on the 2005 vehicle is field monitoring.
2003–2007 Toyota Land Cruiser applications remain Validation in Progress. Each requires its own vehicle evidence; adjacent-year results do not establish compatibility. All current offers require factory navigation.
The current physical faceplate sample has been produced, painted silver and photographed. Harness manufacturing quotation work is underway. Sample finish and compatibility validation remain separate from supplier commitment, production readiness and public-launch approval.
Harness development
Vehicle connection and mechanical integration.
The harness and physical control panel are developed together around the retained factory HVAC architecture. The exterior detail below documents the development harness; revision-specific connection handling is covered in Installation.
