I'm developing a digital cluster, any suggestions?

[heitzek]

Hi!

My name is Raul, from Barcelona, and I'm developing something I had in mind for a long time, I'd like to get suggestions for things that could be cool to be done.

You can have a look right here:

http://200sxreborn.blogspot.com.es/

So far it look like that:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DzPczFZLs9k/VBFvV4c97qI/AAAAAAAAB44/fVsaJKz6-70/s1600/grabilla.gq3940.png

[Chaluska]

Very v ery cool stuff.

one badass thing if you wanted to set it up, use an electric boost controller, and run your switch inside for a "Street" and "race" mode. modify the electric speedometer to show 0-85 mph during "street" mode, and then on race mode have it automatically switch to like a 150 mph gauge setup.

integrated shift light would be badass.. when the RPM's get to XXXX RPMS, make the whole cluster flash or something.

makes me wish i knew programming.

[Frank_Jaeger]

Allow plugins for custom skins or even custom layouts.

EDIT: I built a carputer to interface with Nistune. I wanted to have it display gauge information in the center console. Pretty good idea, although I don't know how practical it is having a full blown motherboard driving the software. If you plan on selling this it'll drive up the cost. An embedded solution would probably work better once you're done prototyping.

[heitzek]

Very v ery cool stuff.

one badass thing if you wanted to set it up, use an electric boost controller, and run your switch inside for a "Street" and "race" mode. modify the electric speedometer to show 0-85 mph during "street" mode, and then on race mode have it automatically switch to like a 150 mph gauge setup.

integrated shift light would be badass.. when the RPM's get to XXXX RPMS, make the whole cluster flash or something.

makes me wish i knew programming.

All these things are already in the list, actually, I'll make a boost controller on my own that will work fully integrated.

ECU map switch is also in the list for forthcoming development stages.

Thanks for encouraging and suggestions!

[eek]

I think the analog style speedometer isn't really needed since it takes up alot of valuable space. If your going to make this custom I would suggest a Digital read out on the speed in either MPH or KMH (allowing user to choose whichever).

Maybe model the rpm and speedo after the S2000 gauge cluster and then add in the important read outs like the defi cluster.
To save space you can also copy the s2000 gas meter have the rest of the info like voltage, temp, pressure, etc. in a digital readout.
Like the defi unit, the ability to add sensors to monitor certain aspects to display on the cluster is very attractive.


http://www.nippon-seiki.co.jp/defi/media/ssc-all.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3345/3277558284_2ee0d85e3a_s.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/5ZCkTA)Qube's LED Gauge Cluster for the Honda S2000 (https://flic.kr/p/5ZCkTA) by Qube Engineering (https://www.flickr.com/people/[email protected]/), on Flickr

[heitzek]

Allow plugins for custom skins or even custom layouts.

EDIT: I built a carputer to interface with Nistune. I wanted to have it display gauge information in the center console. Pretty good idea, although I don't know how practical it is having a full blown motherboard driving the software. If you plan on selling this it'll drive up the cost. An embedded solution would probably work better once you're done prototyping.

You did? but you just run the nistune softare or you talk to the nistune board with your own software? (like I do)

Of course, custom layouts and ability to accept new modules, or "apps" will be there, and will be possible to send them to any screen, so the dashboard will be fully custom.

About practicality, well, is pretty small board, I know what you mean, but I did in this way becausse an embed system doesn't handle easily 4 hi res displays at the same time, it just can't :) I want to make it from the user experience point of view really really cool, videogame stuff if you like.

Nevertheless, it could be deployed on any platform, like an iPad, Android tablet in combination with a rapsberry pi, but you will have to renounce to a clean and integrated installation, it would be like having a box hanging from the windscreen like a jumped driftbox :) I respect that, and the one who wish this setup will be free to do it, but is not my style.

And about selling, well, first of all, get it working and installed in my car (with a laptop it already works fine), then release it as open source project, with all the needed materials to build the electrics as a list.

Because getting all the necessary stuff could be a bit tricky, and because are parts that need to be built by hand, probably, if people ask for it, I'll put on sale kind of a kit with all hardware already configured, all cables, relay box, frames for screens... just ready to plug in one or two working days for a price that will be profitable enough to do it. But it will keep being opensource and anybody who want to contribute to the development will be hapily wellcomed and anybody will be able to customize this stuff.

[heitzek]

I think the analog style speedometer isn't really needed since it takes up alot of valuable space. If your going to make this custom I would suggest a Digital read out on the speed in either MPH or KMH (allowing user to choose whichever).

Maybe model the rpm and speedo after the S2000 gauge cluster and then add in the important read outs like the defi cluster.
To save space you can also copy the s2000 gas meter have the rest of the info like temp, pressure, etc. in a digital readout.


http://www.nippon-seiki.co.jp/defi/media/ssc-all.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3345/3277558284_2ee0d85e3a_s.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/5ZCkTA)Qube's LED Gauge Cluster for the Honda S2000 (https://flic.kr/p/5ZCkTA) by Qube Engineering (https://www.flickr.com/people/[email protected]/), on Flickr

You're right, but this is just a starting point, to get some decent display to be able to focus on making the thing work properly.

First things first, and first is make it work properly, then install, and after that, make it prettier.

Thanks!

[om3ga]

DAMN! Amazing work, this is going to be awesome!

[heitzek]

Allow plugins for custom skins or even custom layouts.

EDIT: I built a carputer to interface with Nistune. I wanted to have it display gauge information in the center console. Pretty good idea, although I don't know how practical it is having a full blown motherboard driving the software. If you plan on selling this it'll drive up the cost. An embedded solution would probably work better once you're done prototyping.

http://www.udoo.org/

This can be a very very very good candidate to make an embedded system, it has the Arduino DUE board already built int, which is enough, and the second screen can be just your cellphone or tablet connected via Wifi, because since this is being developed as a client server application, you can distribute it in as much devices as you want, and as far away as you need, it could be used for telemetry in a trackday, or just have a remote control embedded in your cellphone.

[Frank_Jaeger]

http://hackaday.com/2014/09/09/intel-releases-edison-a-computer-slightly-larger-than-an-sd-card/

x86 board, no GPU on board but can be added.

[rawgarage]

Broadfield style

[Hashiriya415]

We all own tablets and/or smartphones.
I think the best would be to just mount a nice light tablet. Or phone.
The rest is user customizable. What you want and how you want it displayed.
External box to connect all input sensors, and allow it to plug in via usb to tablet/phone.
Just take it with you when you leave the car parked. Also disable car from starting maybe? an option.
So all you gotta do is create a box to connect input sensors. And connect to tablet. And create some sort of app.
Just imagine navigation on full screen. Then if something happens, it pops up message which the user can touch to open. Or even program to shut off car automatically.

http://zilvia.net/f/attachment.php?attachmentid=76037&stc=1&d=1410944802

http://cdn3.pcadvisor.co.uk/cmsdata/reviews/3453904/Samsung_Ativ_Tab_3_tablet.jpg

[snafupossum]

I use my phone for something like this using the torque app. I have my screen mirrored on my headunit so everything is easy to see and control. Although the downfall is, its limited to just the parameters delivered through the obd port so it cant be a true dashboard replacement.

[heitzek]

I use my phone for something like this using the torque app. I have my screen mirrored on my headunit so everything is easy to see and control. Although the downfall is, its limited to just the parameters delivered through the obd port so it cant be a true dashboard replacement.

Well, let's see how far do I go :)

Thanks for suggestions!

[SuperBlackS14]

EDIT: I'm dumb and can't read.

This looks really cool, and Embedded or not. This will be wicked cool. Being able to talk to Nistune or UpRev or whatever and having a fully customizable gauge cluster would be amazing! Good on ya!

[S14DB]

A 10" 260mm x 96mm single screen would look a lot better than two separate screens.

I would have a RaspberryPi or BeagleBone doing the front end(display). Then have the Arduino do all the Input / Output work. Freescale if you want to go nuts.

Running off a PC you are going to hit limits fast. You are already noticing latency issues. Then trying to get that PC into a form factor inside the car. Power draw and cooling are going to be an issue also.

[a_ghost]

Hashiriya415s' idea is awesome, add Bluetooth and make it wireless

[om3ga]

I cannot wait, this is amazing. Let us know if you need any help getting this going.

[Kingtal0n]

Running off a PC you are going to hit limits fast. You are already noticing latency issues. Then trying to get that PC into a form factor inside the car. Power draw and cooling are going to be an issue also.

haha, I remember when I was 16 learning to tune my first car I had a whole desktop computer stripped in the trunk, running off a huge inverter. I wrote a small piece of software in VB to modify the fuel map while I drove so I didnt have to type anything (or see it). Eventually I also set it up to play MP3s (which was a new thing back then).

Power draw was a huge issue of course. When I finally got a laptop I was driving around and accidently zero'd out the fuel map and the car shut off.

Of course, the laptop had no battery so it also shut off. No power, no laptop, no fuel map, I was stuck :D :facepalm:

Might want to consider linux ... and using as many pre-made custom chinese parts as possible (so you can sell a baggy full of the parts, assembly required, like megasquirt to diy individuals)

[heitzek]

A 10" 260mm x 96mm single screen would look a lot better than two separate screens.

I would have a RaspberryPi or BeagleBone doing the front end(display). Then have the Arduino do all the Input / Output work. Freescale if you want to go nuts.

Running off a PC you are going to hit limits fast. You are already noticing latency issues. Then trying to get that PC into a form factor inside the car. Power draw and cooling are going to be an issue also.

I was looking for a reasonabily priced screen meeting that specs but I didn't, but if you know about one, I'll be happy to give it a look :)

[heitzek]

We all own tablets and/or smartphones.
I think the best would be to just mount a nice light tablet. Or phone.
The rest is user customizable. What you want and how you want it displayed.
External box to connect all input sensors, and allow it to plug in via usb to tablet/phone.
Just take it with you when you leave the car parked. Also disable car from starting maybe? an option.
So all you gotta do is create a box to connect input sensors. And connect to tablet. And create some sort of app.
Just imagine navigation on full screen. Then if something happens, it pops up message which the user can touch to open. Or even program to shut off car automatically.

http://zilvia.net/f/attachment.php?attachmentid=76037&stc=1&d=1410944802

http://cdn3.pcadvisor.co.uk/cmsdata/reviews/3453904/Samsung_Ativ_Tab_3_tablet.jpg

After I finish this prototype I'll consider about making something like this, let's see how people respond first. It was already in my mind.

After all, Is possible I will make this a comercial product considering the feedback I'm getting.

[heitzek]

haha, I remember when I was 16 learning to tune my first car I had a whole desktop computer stripped in the trunk, running off a huge inverter. I wrote a small piece of software in VB to modify the fuel map while I drove so I didnt have to type anything (or see it). Eventually I also set it up to play MP3s (which was a new thing back then).

Power draw was a huge issue of course. When I finally got a laptop I was driving around and accidently zero'd out the fuel map and the car shut off.

Of course, the laptop had no battery so it also shut off. No power, no laptop, no fuel map, I was stuck :D :facepalm:

Might want to consider linux ... and using as many pre-made custom chinese parts as possible (so you can sell a baggy full of the parts, assembly required, like megasquirt to diy individuals)

Wow! A whole desktop PC in the trunk... :) Other years... Fortunatelly today technology is cheap, small and power efficient, just imagine how big would be the computer I'm using at that years, probably with three or four graphic adapters, dual cpu socket... That's why I'm doing this today and not 10 years ago.

Development fraeworks are also much more evolved, is simply the right time :)

[heitzek]

A 10" 260mm x 96mm single screen would look a lot better than two separate screens.

I would have a RaspberryPi or BeagleBone doing the front end(display). Then have the Arduino do all the Input / Output work. Freescale if you want to go nuts.

Running off a PC you are going to hit limits fast. You are already noticing latency issues. Then trying to get that PC into a form factor inside the car. Power draw and cooling are going to be an issue also.

Ah! About latency issues, they're not!!! Is just the frequency of sending data of the emulator, is low, but it can be changed and works fine, latency is not an issue at all man, and by the way, rapsberry is just not enough for this. For a embedded version I'll go for the www.udoo.org board, as you can see, is much more suitable and powerful enough.

Thanks for comments to everybody!