Firmware and hardwareWorksSource available
Target: Porsche PCM and Audi MMI head units (QNX6)

A read-only explorer for Porsche PCM and Audi MMI head unit images, written with Claude

Platform
Windows, Linux, macOS (Python)
Outcome
Works

Evidence at a glance

Based on the linked sources. The author's reported result and independent confirmation are separate checks.

AI involvement
Reported models: Claude Opus 5, Claude Opus 4.8. Tools: Python, QNX6 filesystem reader. The writeup below describes the work attributed to AI.
Reported result
Works. This is the directory's source-based outcome classification.
Independent confirmation
Not reported.
Human work and limitations
The author (dspl1236) is credited as the only committer, and the README ties use to hardware the user owns. The standalone Windows build is described as unsigned, with a SHA256 provided.

Original sources

What was done

PCM Explorer reads QNX6 and QNX4 filesystems from Harman head unit drives, plus firmware, update discs and the HMI files. Claude Opus 5 and 4.8 trailers appear on 41 of 47 commits.

When a Porsche PCM or Audi MMI head unit dies and its drive is imaged, the result is a 40 GB file that Windows and macOS cannot read. These units run QNX and use the QNX6 power-safe filesystem, or QNX4 on older drives and on the navigation partition, and the README notes Linux's read-only qnx6 driver does not match the Harman variant these units use. PCM Explorer opens such images read-only.

The README then lists what else it learned to read: firmware images (IFS), update discs as ISO files, the persistence flash, and the HMI itself, which is data in .mmi files and not compiled code. It can list every string in nine languages, show screen elements with x, y, width and height on an 800 by 480 display, and export a screen as SVG. Other functions include content search in UTF-8 and UTF-16LE, a diff between two firmware builds, a stock comparison that finds what on a unit is not factory, a timeline grouped by write sessions, and a one-page HTML report. Update discs are checked by verifying CRC32 on every payload and by reporting which head units will accept them.

The author's license note limits use to research and personal use on hardware you own. Claude Opus 5 appears on 32 commits and Claude Opus 4.8 on 9.

Reproduce it

setup

Run python explorer.py with your own disk image, firmware file or update disc, for example python explorer.py disk.img for a summary. A standalone Windows exe is also offered. You must supply your own image; none are in the repository.

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