Navigator #12

While traveling in Norway, we had the chance to test the Go version. Although the launcher was running fine and the video stream was handled (after some effort) directly by the app, we noticed that Navit isn’t ideal for route planning or on-the-road location searches.

For instance, it was not possible to select a point without having a postal address, and the real-time location feature felt a bit awkward because the screen wouldn’t refresh until the point reached the edge of the map frame.

In the end, we switched to using OrganicMaps on our phones.

Since there don’t seem to be any good open-source or free options to replace Navit for desktop environments, I decided to switch to Android with LineageOS (Konstagang port).

This setup is essentially like having a phone, but it comes with its own pros and cons:

Cons:

Booting time is quite long, taking nearly a minute to load.
While the interface can be customized, it doesn’t allow for creating one entirely from scratch to meet specific needs.

Pro:

A wide selection of mobile-native apps (e.g., OBD2 interfaces, video recording, music players, sensor readers, etc.).
The ability to set up custom hardware buttons using the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pinouts.

The overall scheme has been redesigned as well. An external USB hub now handles the screens, and a modem has been integrated directly into the Navigator case.

Additionally, an OBD2 Bluetooth scanner is activated via a relay connected to the Navigator’s switch.

USB Hub and OBD2 transmitter installation

GPS Tracker #3

Some problems with the tracker has been solved, and I am now able to log time and coordinates in a database. Following the amended design:

Using CloudFront to redirect the non-SSL traffic didn’t work so I manually setup my server to accept non-SSL traffic on specific paths and redirect any other traffic to HTTPS.

A quick test with a API (written in PHP) has been successful, and the GPS data and timestamp has been recorded into the database (MySQL).

The GPRS connection still unstable and I am not 100% satisfied by the library (SFRobot_SIM808) and most likely I will create my own one using the AT commands.

Water Sensor #5

I am creating a second board, the first one was poorly assembled and did not work.

The full project can be found here , is pretty simple.

GPS Tracker #2

While setting up the software and infrastructure for the Tracker, some problems have been discovered.

The main one is that the Sim808 doesn’t use SSL, or isn’t reliable while using it.

I tried some different solutions:

Redirect non-https connections using CloudFront
Creating a custom PHP API on my running servers

Both solutions have been unsuccessful, also because seems that the module is stuck with HTTP/1, generating some more problems while sending complex messages.

Maybe a firmware upgrade could solve this issue, I will see this week.

Following a picture of the board that I am using: Sim808 Evb V3.2

Water Sensor #4

Some picture of the work in progress of the sensor, I should be able to keep it compact.

GPS Tracker #1

I started to setup the GPS Tracker.

Some functions has been tested: GPS and GPRS connection, with a simple API request, and call and SMS, all working.

Here’s the top level diagram, following more details and code.

Water Sensor #3

While soldering I changed my mind about the schematics:

use a Oled screen instead of leds
reduce wiring and handle all with software
use the ground as switch. Ground is regulated by the board and does not require resistors.

Water Sensor #2

The Water sensor is under development and I am trying to create as compact as possible circuit, using surface mount resistor and tiny leds (~ 2mm x 5mm)

The picture with the red arrow it show on left the old sensor and on right the new one.

Leds, Bluetooth module and the Arduino controller they should be fit in the same breadboard.

Nautilus: Awning and furniture improvements

I am working on some upgrades for the Nautilus:

Installing the awning (Fiamma F45s), that require some custom roofbars, under design.
Installing struts on upper cabinets (leaving it without has been proved to be a real pain)