Author Topic: Google Android as speedo?  (Read 951 times)

Xaero

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Google Android as speedo?
« on: September 21, 2011, 03:27:12 AM »
Yea, this is far off in left field somewhere.  Would this work for a console of a bike?  The custom interface would show stuff like MPH and fuel.  Being Android it would have Google Navigation in it that could be used with a Bluetooth headset for turn by turn navigation.  That would require internet (mobile broadband) and as its Android you could check email or play a game of Angry Birds (not while driving!).

Brammofan

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Re: Google Android as speedo?
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2011, 09:29:26 AM »
(I love this geek stuff :) )
Of course, this is all very possible, and probably quite easy.
The Android market has many speedometer apps using the built in GPS on your phone:
https://market.android.com/search?q=speedometer&so=1&c=apps

Get a mount:
http://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+android+phone+mount&hl=en&tbm=shop&aq=f&safe=active&qscrl=1

And you're pretty much in business.  Why just "pretty much"?  Because it would be nice to have the ability to a)plug it in to recharge and b) plug it into the bike's information i.e. state of charge, remaining range, etc. 

We've talked about this subject before, but now you've got me wondering again.  ;D
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Gavin

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Re: Google Android as speedo?
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2011, 10:05:57 AM »
iPhone has speedo apps and many mounts too...some waterproof which would be good for Motorcycle use....this is one of the reasons i'd love to have an accessory port on future Brammo models.

you can instantly have speedo and navigation and more all on one device...heck, brammo could replace the dash with an iPhone or iPod touch. instant navigation added as a bonus and the dash now can also easily come off and go with you...or be locked under the seat...

might make the brammo slightly harder to steal with no dash...

Gavin

Brammofan

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Re: Google Android as speedo?
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2011, 11:36:37 AM »
Damn you, Xaero, I've been surfing all morning looking at motorcycle mounts for phones, and DIY guides for making your gloves work with touch screens (conductive thread!).

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Deadly Silent Ninja

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Re: Google Android as speedo?
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2011, 04:18:13 PM »
It would be very simple to create an app. for I-phone/I-pod touch and Android that would give not only the general info you are talking about, but some pretty handy diagnostics about the bike's performance. It could even create a logbook just like divers' computers, so you could compare performance in different roads, terrains, altitudes, inclinations, weather conditions, etc.
And, if someone goes wild enough, it could also have an option to send all that data to a website where other geeks and Brammo's staff could analyze and compare different bikes and figure out what people are doing with mods. in order to tell which ones improve performance and which ones hinder performance.
A good programmer, a Brammo technician, and an experienced "all conditions" rider could create this whole thing in a couple of weeks.
 :)

Xaero

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Re: Google Android as speedo?
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2011, 06:22:26 AM »
You should check out ODB2 readers too.  Some companies make Bluetooth adapters that plug directly into the ODB2 port and connect via Bluetooth to the ODB2 reader programs on an Android that are on the market.  I don't know if Brammo uses OBD2 at all (most likely not since its a USB plug for diagnostics) but its an interesting concept.  ODB2 is on vehicles 1996 or older.  Not sure if any bikes at all use it.

Still, a motorcycle mount for a phone sounds interesting but if the console itself on the bike was "connected" and running Android would be amazing.  About as amazing as the quadcopter with Android (or iPhone) program as remote control.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2011, 06:23:58 AM by Xaero »