Ducati Monster Forum

So while thinking of what I wanted to do for a gauge cluster I was struck with an idea. Use a flat panel. So I did some research and found a 5" LCD waterproof panel. Check. my other thought was to have a on screen display, and make it user configurable. Kind of like a small script or app running from somewhere (small computer/circuit board) then I thought a possibility could be Augmented reality, kind of like how they are in the video games, where it shows whats in front of you as well as your Gauge info.
kinda like this:
(http://www.aim-sportline.com/smartycam/bitmap/el_monitor2_eng.jpg)

so i found this smarty-cam...it looks kinda cool, but all it does is record the video and information and compile them together for viewing later.

I'm thinking, realtime camera feed, with gauge information overlay in a user configurable layout. The question is, how to build it. Thoughts?


resources: http://www.aim-sportline.com/smartycam/on-board-camera.htm (http://www.aim-sportline.com/smartycam/on-board-camera.htm)

I'd get easily distracted if you had the instrument readings sitting over a real time cam feed, but the thought of a user configurable set-up is sweet. Maybe back ground images like the kids, dog, strippers... [thumbsup]

Oh, you'd get distracted with a real-time camera feed, but not strippers? we all know the truth!

A while back someone set up something like this up with a rear view camera.  [thumbsup]

In my opinion, the hard part would be programming the damn thing. Still, it would be cool.

Sounds like a cool idea.  Sorry, no suggestions.  Curious what you come up with.

Strippers help me concentra......ohhhh shiny! Anyway, I was thinking about the user configurable screen. Somewhat like the gadget things for Windows 7. On track day have a big tach in the center and maybe a shift light in the corner. On touring trips have tach, mph and coordinates...plus all the other stuff like water and oil temp etc...

where are you going to mount the mini computer that wont overheat or get rained on?


there are some little OS jobs that make everything navigable by big buttons *if its touch screen

and you can get all kinds of cool stuff onto it, sensors, etc. and ive seen them hooked up
to rearview cams etc.

i believe i used to use Frodoplayer but i cant find it and maybe im not remembering correctly.
im sure there are newer ones that are better. try carmp3.com they have a lot of "carputer" info

Also i dont remember if it was a standalone OS like a linux or if it is supposed to run over top of linux/windows

One problem I see with this setup is glare.  Most LCD panels are barely readable in direct sunlight.

It would be awesome, though.   

How about an integrated GPS, as long as we are dreaming?

Yea I was looking into tiny gps modules, and there are a few out there that should fit the bill. And as far as glare you bring up a good point, and that can be overcome by advancements in LCD tech (the same tech that's going into the next gen net books) as well as antiglare screen films.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions, I'll check into the car CPU stuff, and see if I can find a small form factor CPU and a light os to throw on top of it. Android has been doing some good stuff with augmented reality that i may look into.

What about using an Arduino?  They are low-power, small, can interface with GPS modules, sensors, etc etc.  Pretty easy to program too.  Not too expensive either.  Check it out (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=666).

try a new LED backlight LCD to help with the glare. and mount an infrared/night vision camera so it's an additional safety feature.

Maybe a waterproof PDA with WDST software would do the trick.

yea, i was checking those out at sparkfun.com and they had a pretty good selection of boards, and there is a wiki with touchscreen configurations with the board

Yeah, I have one sitting next to me.  They really are pretty versatile, with all the analog and digital inputs they have, I see no reason why they can't pull info from all the bikes sensors to display whatever info you want.  Plus, with all the modules available, you can basically add any function you can think of.

As for the camera, if you even decided to incorporate one, have you thought about making it rear-facing?  IMHO, it would be cool to have the camera feed shut off in anything other than first gear, that way it's less...distracting...while riding.  Just throwing ideas out there.

I don't need no stinking gauges.......