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Ottocast Picasou 3, Lite, Pro, Nano and i3: Hub and Firmware
Ottocast Picasou 3 family hub: P3, P3 Lite, P3 Pro, Nano and the BMW i3 compared, engineering mode code 126, firmware builds and how to report a bug.
Specifications
- Chipset (SoC)
- QCM6125 (Snapdragon 6125 / 665 class) / QCM6225 (Snapdragon 6225, 680)
- Android
- 12 (P3, P3 Lite), 13 (P3 Pro, Nano, i3), 10 (Picasou 2)
- RAM / storage
- P3 Lite: 4 GB / 64 GB, P3: 128 GB storage, RAM not published, P3 Pro, Nano, i3: 8 GB / 128 GB
- Variants
- OttoAibox P3 (Picasou 3), P3 Lite, P3 Pro, Nano AI, i3 (BMW), Picasou 2 / 2 Pro
- How to tell it apart
- Ottocast sells these as OttoAibox P3, P3 Lite, P3 Pro, Nano AI and i3. Android 12 means a P3 or P3 Lite; Android 13 a P3 Pro, Nano or i3. The Nano has a 1.83-inch screen; the P3 and P3 Pro have HDMI out.
- Official pages
- Support
Identify your unit
Ottocast’s Picasou 3 family shares one software base (OttoDrive) but spans two chip generations. Ottocast’s own pages give these figures:
| Model (Ottocast name) | Chip | RAM / storage | Android | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OttoAibox P3 (Picasou 3) | Qualcomm 6125 | 128 GB, RAM not published | 12 | HDMI out, SIM and SD slots |
| P3 Lite | Snapdragon 665 | 4 / 64 GB | 12 | Lowest-cost model |
| P3 Pro | Snapdragon 6225 | 8 / 128 GB | 13 | HDMI out, OttoDrive 3.0, CloudSIM |
| Nano AI | Snapdragon 680 (Qualcomm 6225) | 8 / 128 GB | 13 | 1.83-inch screen on the box |
| i3 (BMW) | Snapdragon 6125 | 8 / 128 GB | 13 | For BMWs with wireless CarPlay, iDrive 6 to 9 |
The forum lists the P3 Lite as QCM6125; Ottocast’s page names a Snapdragon 665, a chip of the same class. The older Picasou 2 and 2 Pro (Android 10, later 12) are grouped here too, because owners discuss them in the same place and the fixes often carry over.
Check Settings → About for the model and Android version before downloading anything.
Engineering menu & codes
Ottocast boxes have no Carlinkit-style 4545 menu. Owners open Settings, scroll to Engineering mode at the bottom, and use the factory entry there with the password 126. Inside are the USB ADB switch, SIM calling options and configuration pages. Ottocast’s 18 Jul 2026 release notes also describe a Display Offset option under Settings → Engineering mode.
Two settings owners rely on:
- Audio stream mode in Engineering mode. One owner whose sound kept dropping out cured it by switching this option to its other setting.
- USB ADB in the factory settings. Leave it off: with it on, the car stops recognising the box.
The box’s hotspot uses 88888888 as its default password. ADB over that hotspot uses port 65535; the steps are in enable ADB on an AI box. Codes for every brand are in the engineering codes table.
The 27 Jun 2026 P3 Pro build removed the Factory Mode entry from the advanced settings, so expect fewer options on recent P3 Pro firmware.
Firmware
Ottocast pushes updates over the air (FOTA) and publishes builds through its after-sales support site, which is linked from the Ottocast support hub. If you need a specific build, ask [email protected]. This site does not host or link firmware files.
Local updates come from a microSD card; since the 10 Nov 2023 P3 build the card can be FAT32 or exFAT.
| Firmware date | Models | Android | What changed, per Ottocast’s notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 2024 | P3 | 12 | Fixed screen freezes, crackling sound and a hotspot that would not open. |
| 25 Apr 2024 | P3 | 12 | Bluetooth music info on the car screen, rotary knob support, Mazda Android Auto connection and an Audi restart fixed. |
| 5 Jul 2024 | P3 | 12 | Android Auto certificate fix, HDMI resolution fixes, updated SIM modem library. |
| 7 Apr 2025 | P3, P3 Lite | 12 | Button to switch between Android Auto and CarPlay; answer or end Bluetooth calls from the steering wheel. |
| 15 Jun 2026 | P3 Pro | 13 | CPU and hardware info in Settings, fewer black screens after connecting HDMI. |
| 27 Jun 2026 | P3 Pro | 13 | Fixed intermittent loss of music audio and Android Auto channel faults; Factory Mode removed. |
| 18 Jul 2026 | P3, P3 Lite | 12 | Fixed an expired Android Auto certificate, launcher flicker and Toyota RAV4 connection problems. |
Nano builds (2 Apr 2025 to 26 Dec 2025 in the tracker) came without change logs. See the firmware tracker for the rest. To change the protocol on boxes without the button, see switch the CarPlay / Android Auto protocol.
Accessories that matter
- Second power source. Reboots when the signal drops or under load point to power first; see AI box keeps rebooting.
- Cooling. The P3 Pro shows CPU and hardware details in Settings on recent builds; read P3 Pro CPU monitor and cooling before adding a cooler.
- microSD card, FAT32 or exFAT, for local updates.
- SIM. Ottocast lists a SIM slot on the P3 and i3 and CloudSIM on the P3, P3 Pro and Nano; a data SIM is the usual choice.
How to report a bug
Ottocast asks for the product name, vehicle model and year, phone model and your order number. Add:
- The firmware date from Settings → About.
- Head unit and protocol (CarPlay or Android Auto).
- A short video of the fault.
Recent P3 Pro builds have a Report a problem page in Settings, and Ottocast’s Ottopilot app can capture fault logs with one tap for its engineers. Write to [email protected] or use the form on the Ottocast contact page. The general checklist is on how to report a bug.
Known issues and guides for this device
Generated from every article tagged with this device, most-confirmed first.
Power & connection
Car offers only Android Auto, or the box vanished after a mode change? Press the box's mode button 2–3 s or use the microSD file. Carlinkit TBox, Ottocast.
16 confirmed reports
Heat & throttling
AI box freezing or shutting down from heat? Add a heatsink or magnetic cooler, a fan, or move it into vent airflow. Carlinkit Ultra, Ambient, Picasou 3.
10 confirmed reports
Box reboots or shuts off in dead zones? Use your phone's hotspot instead of the SIM, or set the network type to LTE/WCDMA. Picasou 3 Pro, Mstick4, UX999.
10 confirmed reports
Ottocast Picasou 3 or 3 Pro lagging, losing data or rebooting when hot? Fit a Peltier cooler, give it airflow, check the hidden CPU Monitor app.
7 confirmed reports
Is your AI box too hot? Show its CPU temperature (4545 → Other) and act above about 80 °C, where throttling starts. Carlinkit TBox, Picasou 3 Pro.
4 confirmed reports
Box lags, overheats or loses touch on a huge car screen (Geely Atlas)? Set Smallest width to 800 or switch to Android Auto. TBox Ambient, Plus, Picasou 3.
4 confirmed reports
Audio & calls
A 1–2 second call delay through an AI box is normal; echo for the caller is not. Take calls on the head unit's Bluetooth. Carlinkit TBox, Ottocast Nano.
4 confirmed reports
Firmware & recovery
Updating an AI box with CarCar or another launcher as default can end in a black screen. Switch to the stock launcher first. Carlinkit, Ottocast, Ownice.
2 confirmed reports
Firmware update fails after a multitouch or gps.conf mod over ADB? Run adb enable-verity, reboot, then update. Carlinkit TBox Ultra and Ambient; root too.
2 confirmed reports
SIM, Wi-Fi & GPS
SIM shows signal but no mobile data on your AI box? Turn on data roaming, then enter the APN by hand. Carlinkit TBox Ambient, Plus, Ultra; Ottocast.
11 confirmed reports
Apps & launchers
CarCar Launcher asks for a licence again after a factory reset or reflash? Scan its QR code from the account that bought it. Licences stay with one device.
7 confirmed reports
AI box screen glares at night? Switch to a dark theme, lower the launcher's white point, and stop the theme flipping back to light. Carlinkit, Ottocast.
6 confirmed reports
ADB, root & tinkering
Turn on ADB on a Carlinkit TBox (code 142618 or wireless debugging) or an Ottocast Picasou (port 65535 / 29528), connect, and switch it off again safely.
17 confirmed reports