2024 Kia EV6, stock head unit.

Edit with some quick notes because I didn't realize this blew up:

This is NOT yet usable as a replacement to stock.
Working:

• Boots! (32 bit only because stock is 32bit, so no AAOS)
• Display
• Touch
• WiFi
• Maybe BT
• Maybe Modem (not gonna test that)
• GPS (uses translation daemon)
• Climate/controls/sensors/some energy stats - as much as MICOM provides anyway (uses translation daemon)
• GPU
• VPU (really need to test more)

Not working yet:

• Audio/amp control
• Power sequencing like when to turn off display, wake/sleep etc
• Any kind of head unit experience (this will come later, I'll try AGL first, and if I can get 64 bit then I'll try AAOS)

Use NEMESIS to get root on Android: https://github.com/xwtk/hmg_nemesis

Blog post that has a small section on this: https://w-floyd.com/2026/10/notes-on-llms-part-01/#2024-kia-ev6-head-unit
I'll post more there as I find the time.
I am using LLMs for a lot of the heavy lifting as I try things out (never to write my blog).
I link to my GitHub repos there, where this work is being actively pushed.

I only bought this car a week ago.

Don't be an idiot and actually reflash your unit if you try this - I am using kexec to boot from an image from the USB, so this is completely nondestructive (NEMESIS is what actually is installed to the system).

Some more photos!

I’ve been waiting for this. Did you use that dude’s project that was posted about last year? Wondering if it will work on the Ioniq 5

Were you trying to get the system logo to match your big bright red triangle hazard light button, or was that just a happy accident?

It's Nura's (formerly PostmarketOS) logo.

For curiosity sake, why and how

I think you mean “wheel”

Pssh. This guy

How much of what works? That's impressive.

Well done! I hope you wrote a tutorial on the process?

Yo thats awesome. Guess somebody needs to port android auto/ Apple car play to Linux now lmao

That's awesome! I'm getting inspiration to try this out one day.

Damn. Please give us more info. I have a ‘25 EV6 Wind and would love to play around.

I always wanted to do the same to my new Renault Twingo 2026 to get rid of all that google tracking stuff that they shoehorn everywhere.

2027 year of the Linux car

I'm afraid to brick my head unit, leaving my family quite put out lol. I was thinking that it would be nice to add an app though that I could use for remote-climate control on my 2023 now that my Kia subscription has lapsed.

I have similar feelings. I've had problems with my Hyundai just trying to install map updates.

This might be a good application for KDEs Big-screen
do you lose access to carplay when you do this?

Where are the obligatory in-game Doom screenshots?

gonna be the year of Linux everyhing before it ever becomes year of the linux desktop.

I doubt many modern head units exist that don't rely on the Linux kernel

I would be delighted for my Volvo to stop popping up a full-screen "try Gemini" page while I'm driving.

But yes, I would rather not brick the infotainment.

oh my god. yes, i hate this awful ad too. but i cant try something like this because its a leased car :(

Is this replacing the head unit software? In my Mazda all of the car’s settings are accessed through that screen rather than the one for the speedometer. I would be afraid this would brick my car, or at least make it so I couldn’t change any of the settings like when it wants to automatically turn on the brights.

I’m pretty sure a good portion of them actually run QNX which is a UNIX-like owned by blackberry

Can you write up (or link to) any resources for doing this?

Edit: thanks for more details on the post!

I need more information!

Honda factory head units run just straight up android. On my friends 2017 civic he could poke a few buttons and get to the normal android ui.

https://w-floyd.com/2026/10/notes-on-llms-part-01/#does-it-run-doom

You're a god.

Android depends on the Linux kernel

Absolute fucking legend here.

I look forward to seeing you in a future dashcam video

I’m well aware.

Oof you're right completely forgot.

A legend in what sense? Doom is so optimized (beatifully, in fact) one could port it anywhere.

Seriously, anywhere.

Now, a legend would be someone dresses up as a maintenance tech for self checkout kiosks and installs Doom to kick on when it normally asks for coupons. Oh my god, not advocating in any way, but that would be punk as fuck.

And on that note, I am going to backpedal into the bushes, but peep out: "Doom is very optimized and built on C. You can port that shit to ship ports. You can run Doom on glasses. You can run Doom on a taco, given the system requirements.

Getting it to run on a car? Meh. I got it running on a TI-85 a quarter of a century ago.

So meh.

It’s not the doom that’s impressive, it’s installing a Linux distro in a car…

o7

You're so cool, and a 1337 haxor as well.

I have an older fancy aftermarket unit that runs Windows CE. I wonder if I could trick it into using something else...

Wait until it's a sure thing imo. I'm not messing with mine until then.

Spot on. I would love to do the same to my car but it's locked down tighter than a duck's arse.

Lol obvious troll is obvious.

Buying a car with a touchscreen when I'm dead and my grandson has my money.

You seem like the type of person that doesn't just love the smell of their own farts, but thinks everyone else does too.

What about USB OTG?

Ahkay.

Now make it playable via steering wheel and accelerator. Bonus points for linking "fire" to the car horn.

What trolling? Have you looked at the code? It is actually quite beautiful.

https://github.com/f1xpl/openauto/

https://github.com/opencardev/crankshaft

https://github.com/f-io/LIVI

Because I read the code? It is wonderful code.

I don't know about this leet shit, but I have been in the field for 25 years and I do stupid ass mods for fun.

Like, I built an MP3 player from hardware scratch, like I actually started with a custom PCB. My coworker's kid wasn't allowed to have his phone in class, the father had a 3D printer, so I threw some shit together.

What fucking sub is this in? You can run Doom on toasters because it is just C, which is like a simple step away from assembly.

This is so fucking stupid. Sorry, I just happen to be a systems and network engineer who also does low level programming. My fucking bad. Great conversation.

This isn't about Doom, ffs... For someone that reads code, you sure are dense.

Is there any Linux program that are for the other half?