Making Lamping vehicle remote controlled

[simonl]

I toasted my Disco a few days ago & bought a replacement which is automatic. I fancy setting it up so I can control from the rear sunroof (which I'll probably open up with an angle grinder for a BIG hole).

Initial thoughts below, for which I'm very open to suggestions.

Steering: DC motor with a rubber wheel on it, held tight against the steering wheel - as per tractor autosteer third party add-ons, except they seem way too expensive.
Throttle - Possibly a Servo mounted on or near the fuel pump. It's got cruise control but I don't imagine that'll be of any use. Could bodge something to sit in the footwell to press the pedal, but would rather not.
Brakes - Ideally I'd like to somehow Tee into the brakes & keep it under the bonnet, prefer not to have a contraption in the foot well. Will probably use a failsafe approach - i.e. brakes are always applied unless disengaged to move forwards.
Gears - leave it in D, and hold the brakes when stationary.
Engine - Will need to be able to remotely kill to stop vibrations for any longer shots. Might be handy as a failsafe too

I'm reasonably competent at electronics, so I should be able make up the gear to interface to it all & control things, it's more about working out the cheapest & least intrusive way to interface mechanically with the vehicle.

Suggestions?
Many thanks.

 

[White Hart]

There's a company in America which convert vehicles to be top drive, maybe check out there website for ideas;

http://www.performancetopdrives.com/top-drives/

WH

 

[Druid]

Now that sounds like a fun project!

 

[Akeld]

One of the writers for sporting rifle done a similar project, basically made a frame and extended steering and pedals, I think it was featured in sporting gun recently, I'm sure if you google it you will find a picture or two


Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=givHey_k_Nw

 

[spandit]

If it's got cruise control then it's probably got a fly-by-wire throttle - if you could tap into the feed for that then the throttle is sorted. The steering wheel bit is a bit more critical - could you rig up an extended boss so having direct control? Brake wise, to tee into the existing supply means you'd need another set of hydraulics somewhere. Anything you could do with just the handbrake? I'm guessing you're not planning on driving it terribly fast?

That said, they do modify cars for disabled drivers with no legs - might be worth looking into what kind of mods they do

 

[Ranger22]

Long broom handle to operate the brake pedal, simples!

 

[Wingy]

View attachment 76044

This sort of thing lol

 

[Ranger22]

View attachment 76044

This sort of thing lol

Certainly one for the armchair stalkers

 

[McA31]

View attachment 76044

This sort of thing lol

That's what I was thinking haha

 

[simonl]

If it's got cruise control then it's probably got a fly-by-wire throttle - if you could tap into the feed for that then the throttle is sorted. The steering wheel bit is a bit more critical - could you rig up an extended boss so having direct control? Brake wise, to tee into the existing supply means you'd need another set of hydraulics somewhere. Anything you could do with just the handbrake? I'm guessing you're not planning on driving it terribly fast?

I think like the cruise control buttons are actually radio volume control!!
Land rover handbrakes aren't keen on being activated whilst moving - so I think I need to faff around with the foot brake

 

[Mulac]

Wait for the new Discovery as apparently you can control it remotely using an app on a tablet!

Calum

 

[spandit]

Could you tee in another master cylinder to the brake line and link to another pedal or possibly a hand control?

 

[Bandit Country]

Suggestions?

Yeah ... get a mate to drive, or is your name Billy?

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

YOU WONT NEED BRAKES MOST FIELDS HAVE A SAFETY DITCH.i dont trust my mates driving in the dark ,so i wouldn,t be comfy in a remote,i like your thinking tho!!