From Custom Android to In-Vehicle Intelligence: You Are the System You're Shaping

Hi everyone!

I’m Nicholas Chum, currently a Staff Engineer at the TSNA Customer Center, focusing on technical engineering and software development for in-vehicle infotainment systems across North America.

After 4.5+ years in this space, I’ve been fortunate to work at the intersection of passion, problem-solving, and purpose.

🚙 A Passion for Cars, Sparked by a First Ride

My journey into the world of automotive technology started in a very personal way—when I bought my first vehicle.

As someone who loves tinkering and keeping busy with hands-on projects, I couldn’t help but dive into customizing the car, both inside and out. I’ve always believed in respecting the manufacturer's engineering while still finding room to make thoughtful improvements. That mentality led me to retrofit an aftermarket Android infotainment system, aiming to replace the default interface with something more intuitive and personalized.

This led to me developing a custom Android launcher for my car, which spiraled into a deeper interest in how vehicles communicate internally—how data like air conditioning temperatures, outside weather, vehicle speed, and sensor states are passed between modules. I began exploring how to pull that data and integrate it into the launcher for a more cohesive HMI (Human-Machine Interface) experience. This rekindled my love for Android development and introduced me to the complex and fascinating world of vehicle systems integration.

📱 Before Cars, There Was Android

Long before I worked in automotive tech, I was already immersed in the world of Android development and customization.

I co-led an open-source Android Theme Engine project from Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) to 10.0, during a time when Android customization was at its peak. Our project became widely used across the community and reached over 2 million monthly active users. It allowed users to tailor their device’s look and feel with powerful theming tools—something stock Android didn’t provide at the time.

We worked with developers and partners from companies like Google, Sony, OnePlus, and Honor, collaborating particularly on the Overlay Manager Service (OMS) to enable seamless system-wide theme application.

Some of the technical highlights from that project include:

● A first-of-its-kind ADB-on-device system, allowing users to grant powerful ADB-level permissions directly on their phone—without needing a computer. This aligned with Android 6.0’s new Permissions Model while empowering advanced users.

● A fully functional APK compilation tool, allowing users to build one-of-a-kind, fully signed and zipaligned theme APKs right on their phones. These were install-ready, giving users full control over their Android experience.

This project didn’t just teach me how to write better code—it taught me how to think like a product developer, anticipate user needs, and work cross-functionally with a global team. It also ignited a love for optimization and elegant engineering—values I continue to carry in every project today.

🎯 Finding a Calling at ThunderSoft

In early 2020, during the final semester of my degree at the University of Toronto, I was contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn. I already knew about ThunderSoft since Rightware as a ThunderSoft company, whose proof-of-concept virtual cockpit for my car (way back in 2013) left a lasting impression on me. That was before digital dashboards became mainstream—and it made me dream of one day building similar experiences.

So when I got the offer to join ThunderSoft, it felt like everything was coming full circle.

Since then, I’ve worked on Android Automotive OS (AAOS), building out infotainment systems at the framework level. My background with AOSP and Android customization has been instrumental in tackling low-level problems and creating flexible, stable solutions that improve the end-user experience. I started as a Technical Engineer for Media Apps, worked my way up to Senior Engineer, and was recently promoted to Staff Engineer—a journey I’m deeply grateful for.

🤝 Working Across Borders & Bridging Gaps

A big part of my role has involved acting as a technical bridge—between internal teams, client companies, and end-users. I’ve led several high-impact projects, navigating hardware revisions, software updates, and complex integration issues.

Whether it’s debugging obscure system-level problems or creating new features, my goal has always been to ensure that our clients and their users get the best possible experience.

One of the most fulfilling parts of the job is being able to craft simple, elegant fixes where others saw only complex workarounds. It’s something I’ve developed a knack for—and one of the reasons I love what I do.

I also continue to sharpen my cross-cultural communication skills, particularly improving my Chinese language abilities, which I don’t often use in Canada. Collaborating with colleagues across time zones and cultures has made me a stronger, more thoughtful engineer and teammate.

💡 What Keeps Me Going

What I’ve always appreciated about ThunderSoft is the environment—it’s welcoming, collaborative, and full of the kinds of brain-stretching problems I love. Each project gives me the chance to push my creativity, experiment with solutions, and learn something new.

Even outside of work, I find myself thinking about code—how to optimize it, how to streamline processes, how to make things better. Sometimes I joke that I have an IDE running in my head. But that’s honestly how it feels when you love what you do.

As Confucius once said: “If you love the work you're doing, you're never working a day in your life.”

That quote resonates with me deeply. I live it every day.

👨 A Note to Students and Young Developers

To students currently in high school, college, or university: take time to explore your interests, even if they don’t immediately seem “career-worthy.” Passion projects and side hobbies often lead to your most valuable skills.

Step outside your comfort zone. Try that thing you’ve always been curious about. Build something. Break something. Learn from it. Those experiences will shape not just your skills but your sense of purpose. For me, the road to where I am now started with a love for my car and a curiosity about how everything worked.

It turned into a lifelong passion for software, engineering, and user experience—and I’ve never looked back.

🏆 Recognition, Gratitude, and Looking Ahead

I’m honored to have been recently promoted to Staff Engineer and recognized with ThunderSoft’s Best Partner Award. This isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a reminder of the importance of consistency, curiosity, and care in everything we build.

To the ThunderSoft team: thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and for being such a welcoming place to grow. I’m excited about what’s next—more challenges, more solutions, and more opportunities to improve the in-vehicle experience for drivers and passengers alike.

And to anyone reading this who’s still on their path—keep building, keep dreaming, and never lose that spark. You’re not just a cog in the system.

You are the system. And you’re the one optimizing how well it runs.

By Nicholas Chum