K.I.T.T.'s core was a very powerful computer with a whole new way of artificial intelligence (AI), that made it possible for „him“, to make autonomous decisions or communicate with the driver.

Many of his functions are today, more than 25 Years later, still dreams of the future, but a lot has changed: TFT-Displays, µATX, UMTS and simutaneous Speech Recognition are just a few catchwords, that may be interesting for Replica-Constructors.

The planning of a project is at least as large as the project itself. At the first brainstorming, I thought about the functions, that I would like to add to my Replica and how this could be made possible.

1. Speech Recognition/ Voicecontrol
2. E-Mail / Internet
3. Versatile Mediaplayer
4. Control of various car functions
5. Automatic Door Opening
6. natural speech synthesis
7. Showmode for exhibitions (Smalltalk, etc.)
8. Software with KITT-styled design (for example green wireframe graphics)
9. Implementation of own hardware control board
10. multiple video camera support
11. Optical output of KITTs Speech via Dashboard-Voicebox

The hardware of a replica-computer has to comply special requirements, to survive the unusual conditions, that predominate in a car.

1. Power Supply via 12 Volts
2. Vibration-resistant Installation of mechanical parts
3. Low temperature during operation
4. As compact as possible

I decided to use the following components for my Computersystem:

- µATX-Mainboard
- stable Car Power Supplyl with Auto ON-OFF
- 5.1 Sound
- USB-DVD-Drive for installation into the car's radioslot
- 40GB-Flash-HD for failsafe operation
- Aluminium-Case for better cooling performance

A real problem is the handling of the car pc. A keyboard and a trackball were no possible opportunities for me.

I had in mind something with more KITT-style. I designed a control panel for the Lower Console, that in fact wasn't 100% accurate to the versions known from the tv show, but was orientated to KITTs Dashboard-Design of Season 1 and 2.

Because there is no software available to comply my requirements, I have no choice- I have to create it on my own. But this is very time intensive, so the developing is still in progress.

Actual, the software has the following features:

- Speech Recognition
- Voice Output
- Webcam-Support
- Videoplayer
- KITT typical soundeffects or Voice Output on key press.

Planned Features:

- complete Mediaplayer (supporting MP3, DVD, DivX, etc.)
- eMail and Internet via UMTS
- Showmode
- Remote Control via Voice