Linklayer Labs
Protocol Interfaces
Automotive
CANtact Pro
An open source tool for talking to Controller Area Network (CAN) devices and hacking cars
Linklayer Labs
Protocol Interfaces
Automotive
CANtact Pro is an open-source USB to Controller Area Network (CAN) device. This allows you to connect a computer to anything that talks CAN. CAN is used in a wide range of embedded systems including vehicles, robots, industrial control systems, and avionics.
The CANtact Pro improves on the original CANtact hardware by adding an extra CAN bus, support for CAN-FD and single-wire CAN, high speed USB, and electrical isolation.
The CANtact Pro also introduces new software that supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. On all platforms, a command line interface is available for basic interaction with CAN buses. The cross-platform driver support allows developers to build CAN tools that run on all platforms. On Linux, users can take advantage of SocketCAN to use the device with many existing programs. On Windows, ETAS BUSMASTER is supported.
Left: The original CANtact; Right: the CANtact Pro.
| Feature | CANtact Pro | CANtact | ICS ValueCAN 4-2 | MHS Tiny-CAN II-XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Interfaces | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Isolation | X | X | X | ||
| CAN-FD Support | X | X | |||
| Single Wire CAN Support | X | ||||
| Case | X | X | X | ||
| USB Speed | High Speed (480 Mbps) | Full Speed (12 Mbps) | High Speed (480 Mbps) | High Speed (480 Mbps) | |
| Indicator LEDs | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| SocketCAN Support | X | X | X | X | |
| Open Hardware | X | X | X | ||
| OS Support | Win / Mac / Linux | Win / Mac / Linux | Win / Linux | Win / Mac / Linux | |
| Price | $129* | $49 | $445 | ~$180 |
* Campaign price is \$129 USD. Future retail price will be \$149 USD.
Original CANtact Documentation
The CANtact Pro hardware is being manufactured by the same contract manufacturer used for the original CANtact. We have been using this CM for the past five years without any issues and they have already assembled and delivered the first order of PCBAs. The enclosure is manufactured in the United States. Final assembly of the devices will take place locally in Canada.
Canadian orders will be shipped directly. All other fulfillment and logistics will be handled by Crowd Supply.
Since the product design is complete, working prototypes are being tested, and an initial batch of devices is already assembled, many of the risks of hardware development have already been mitigated.
Supply chain and lead times can always be an issue in manufacturing and are of greater concern due to COVID-19. We continue to contact our manufacturers on a regular basis and monitor the availability of parts.
"CANTact Pro comes with many of the same features as Intrepid Control Systems (ICS) ValueCAN 4.2 CAN tool, but only at a fraction of the cost."
Produced by Linklayer Labs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
A CANtact Pro, pre-installed in an enclosure. USB Type-A to Type-B cable not included.
One CANtact Pro device, includes case. Limited number available at a discounted Early Bird price! Eventual retail price will be $149 USD.
The original CANtact device. Limited number available. Note: This is NOT the Pro version.
Linklayer Labs builds open source embedded tools, and provides customized solutions for embedded security.
