Progress on my digital instrument cluster program

[scott_fx]

Hey guys,

While waiting for the body shop I have been programming a digital instrument cluster. I though some of you may enjoy this so here is my current work in progress:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mdqu...&feature=share

It'll have two analog gauges flanking the display, Tach and Speed. Also; not shown in the video, it will have a rear view camera that will show up in the middle of the screen when the car is put in reverse)

[Motorcitydak]

That looks really cool. Is it something that you would offer to buy? I contacted autometer about their soon to be released digital LCD display gauges, was left reeling from sticker shock

[scott_fx]

Thank you

I'll have to put it through the paces and do some road testing with it. I'd have to see how much all the components would be as well. But after I get all of that ironed out I probably could build some kits. The biggest expense could be the screen. I'm going to test a relatively inexpensive sunlight readable monitor which should be fine in a coupe. In a vert the screen may not be optimal, and it would double the cost of the screen.

The catch is obd-ii compliment engine right now. It cuts down on a lot of the programming components and soldering/time needed.

[scott_fx]

Here is the original concept. Still going to use the analog gauges flanking the screen but they'll have to be significantly smaller, and of course the screen has changed a lot as well

[scott_fx]

Another small update as well as pt 2 of my project

Pretty much the same as last time but displayed on the transfelctive screen. pretty happy with how it looks in person but there is a bit of glare, i think it's from the touchscreen. I thought the touchscreen overlay was removable but it's bonded on there pretty well. I'm not concerned though, I'll just order a second display w/o the touchscreen and use this one for pt 2 of the project (see below)
http://youtu.be/77vv5QnnjBM


so since i'm going to add modern features to the car (power windows, cruise control, seat heaters.. etc). i didnt want to much up the interior too much with a bunch of switches. so I decided to make a "jarvis"-like command center. It'll have a knob sitting on top of the display and as i click through the menus it'll display different controls for the car. This will tie into my cluster to let me know which menus are being displayed. This will allow me to use some of the basic features w/o taking my eyes off the road (common issue with touch screens). This will be installed horizontally in the center console.

http://youtu.be/oJft_kXbIs8

here is a breakdown of functionality if anyone is interested:

Power locks (double tap on the knob will lock single tap unlock)

Power windows -- double tap will roll up all windows, single tap will lower all windows

Seat heater --no frills here. Just tap up or down to go through the different temp settings

Cruise control --double tap will disengage (as well as a tapping on the brakes), single tap will engage, press and hold will accelerate

Misc menu:
Fuel door release -- servo driven lic plate lowering
Intermittent wiper control -- master control is factory location for in/off. This just adjust intermittent wipers if desired
Rear view camera -- simply turns on the back up cam (when not automatically engage on reverse).

[CapSS92]

Here's an interesting link to a new concept for touchscreen controls. I think the interface makes sense. Check it out...

http://www.wired.com/design/2014/02/...ide-every-car/

[XTRMEASURES]

Love the design

[scott_fx]

Here's an interesting link to a new concept for touchscreen controls. I think the interface makes sense. Check it out...

http://www.wired.com/design/2014/02/...ide-every-car/

That's a great idea. I already started sketching out a concept

[CapSS92]

Cool looking forward to it.

[Turbo67camaro]

I love the design. A great mix of analog and digital feedback that doesn't waste space.

Only thing I'd change is using red instead of blue, as red has a smaller impact on the eyes night vision. If you end up selling it, you'd want to allow the user to choose from a set of basic colors to match their preference and interior.

The interface linked to by CapSS92 also looks interesting, although I think it is just a stepping stone on the path to voice controls. Voice controls have the best chance of keeping two hands on the steering wheel at all times and I'd be surprised if the technological building blocks to build quality, automotive voice control systems don't already exist.

[scott_fx]

thanks for the suggestions. i may go with green too. it matches oem and it takes your eyes the least amount of effort to adjust to it.

as far as voice. it will have that as well, i already have the module but it'll make it's way to the system further down the line.


I have been working till midnight-1 am every night this week, i'm working today and tomorrow as well... i dont see this schedule easing up much until april. hopefully i'll have some time to work some more on the system. During my downtime i am working out the layout for the new command center. i think it'll be pretty intuitive while not ripping off that other project (completely)

I love the design. A great mix of analog and digital feedback that doesn't waste space.

Only thing I'd change is using red instead of blue, as red has a smaller impact on the eyes night vision. If you end up selling it, you'd want to allow the user to choose from a set of basic colors to match their preference and interior.

The interface linked to by CapSS92 also looks interesting, although I think it is just a stepping stone on the path to voice controls. Voice controls have the best chance of keeping two hands on the steering wheel at all times and I'd be surprised if the technological building blocks to build quality, automotive voice control systems don't already exist.

[no go nova]

I would be in for this if you could make one for a 66-67 Chevy II.

[Nothingface5384]

I also liked the finger scanner start

[scott_fx]

I would be in for this if you could make one for a 66-67 Chevy II.

let me get a solid build going and test it for a while in the car then i'll figure out cost of materials and let you know. I'd love to make some of these for fellow members, I just want to make sure it's stable.

I also liked the finger scanner start

thanks. still on the fence if i want to do that or not. I have some parts on order for active rfid (like in modern cars) where you only need to have the fob on you. The finger print would be nice but i have to figure out a way to get into the car w/o keys to make it really worth while.

[scott_fx]

you got me thinking and that got me researching. I stumbled upon a voice recognition software that'll work with serial communication (easy to incorporate)
http://www.bitsophia.com/BitVoicer.aspx

i could use this to supplement the touch control.


also the ipad car ui that was linked above got me thinking about multi touch too. the screen i was planning on using was just a simple resistive touch screen (pressure sensitive and only one point source) I then found that Dell make a 7" windows 8 tablet for ~$250 with capacitive touch screen. It'll be more cost effective since it'll have the screen, the touchscreen overlay, and computer all in one.

I love the design. A great mix of analog and digital feedback that doesn't waste space.

Only thing I'd change is using red instead of blue, as red has a smaller impact on the eyes night vision. If you end up selling it, you'd want to allow the user to choose from a set of basic colors to match their preference and interior.

The interface linked to by CapSS92 also looks interesting, although I think it is just a stepping stone on the path to voice controls. Voice controls have the best chance of keeping two hands on the steering wheel at all times and I'd be surprised if the technological building blocks to build quality, automotive voice control systems don't already exist.

[scott_fx]

edit: made a lot of progress last night, will update soon

[scott_fx]

ok, here is the latest wip if anyone is interested. added seat heater control, started music navigation and cleaned up some of the icons. it doesn't show well in the video but the background just dims when you touch it... it looks like it almost disappears in that video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC2-ZxUgTLw

[rossmacd]

This looks like everything I thought MiMod would be. Mine has just been sitting in a box for several years. Instead of touchscreen, have you thought about using something like the BMW iDrive? I'd love to have a setup like that.

This is definitely something I'd seriously consider if you made it into a product.

[scott_fx]

This looks like everything I thought MiMod would be. Mine has just been sitting in a box for several years. Instead of touchscreen, have you thought about using something like the BMW iDrive? I'd love to have a setup like that.

This is definitely something I'd seriously consider if you made it into a product.

Well i'll keep this thread going with updates to see where it ends up.

The final setup will have a knob (the area that has the blueish 'glow' will be where the knob will mount) Also I'll be using a dell venue 8 pro which is a 7" capacitive touchscreen. The pro's of using that will be multi touch as well as being able to have trim pieces touching the screen. That means that you aren't limited to a big rectangular screen in your console. I plan on have a shaped cutout with rounded corners toward the top of the screen and then follow the radius of the knob. Think of a rectangle with a circle cut out toward the bottom.
kind of like this but larger opening for the screen:
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-1280x782.jpg

The knob will be infinitely spin-able and will also act as a push button (i think I'll have a double tap to lock/unlock the doors)

an idrive would type interface would be possible, i went against it because of the added cost. I'd have to use an 3dconnexion spacenav which would ad another ~$100 to the system (this was one that i installed in my corvette: http://i.onfinite.com/mfC3hZNqd.jpg)

or i'd be stuck with something that would be like a joystick but couldn't spin.

[scott_fx]

had a slight change of heart and reeled in my expectations a bit. After having a difficult time to cost effectively make the analog gauges to a level i'd be happy with (oem looking) I decided that i will not be going withthe analog gauges at this time.

here is the new layout. i actually love it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyP2...r#action=share