I´ve been making a receiver to control electric skateboards for the last couple of weeks. When I first started researching how to build electric skateboards, one of the few things that struck me was that there was no way to use a phone to control the throttle, or more exactly. No way to use iPhones to control the throttle.
The Receiver that I’ve designed (EleSk8 Receiver) is totally plug and play. You just plug the ESC into one of the two servo ports, open the iPhone app and start riding.
The estimated price for this receiver should be about $35 (incl. Shipping inside Europe from Sweden) outside Europe another $10
Is this something that the electric skateboarding community is interested in?
for most of us, that’s not a problem that needs fixing. The reason we use GT2Bs, GT2B clones, steez remotes, and other 2.4GHz FHSS remotes is because bluetooth and wifi are notorious signal droppers and prone to being jammed both intentionally and unintentionally. You really want that happening when you’re doing 20+ mph down a bike lane?
If you divert your focus to a device that sends useful info, but not throttle control, to the phone screen, I will buy your device. Make something that plugs into the CAN bus on a VESC and sends me info such as RPMs and speed in kph and mph that can easily be installed and easily be paired with a screen and you’ll have a clear winner. Seriously, i’ll buy that from you and support your new business. I’ll buy 5 or 10 of them.
bluetooth and wifi have no business being anywhere near throttle control though. Its just dangerous.
@longhairedboy I understand what you mean . And yes, every wireless connection has the risk of failing unexpectedly. But in all the testing that I´ve done the connection have’nt failed a single time.
That may be something interesting to investigate more into. The problem is that i don’t have a VESC…
Order one now from ollin board company and you’ll have it within two weeks. Or wait until Enertion has them on tap which won’t be much longer, they ordered a bajillion of them this time. Or i’ll sell you one of mine when i get the five i ordered in February. Or i’ll GIVE you one in exchange for allowing me to test and keep your prototypes and help you get them solid.
I want a true, non-GPS speedometer on my phone, and i want it yesterday. I started building one with hall sensors and an arduino that would detect the magnets in the motor can and do math to get mph, but i just don’t have time for that shit.
@chaka might be a better person to answer that question. I know there’s a ton of info available though. Also there are other ports available as well that maybe could or should be used instead, like the UART. I think my buddy teddy was using that on his crazy ass solar powered 12S rig. He had throttle and readouts on his iPhone, so i know for sure it can be done. I’m not 100% on what he was doing or how though, that’s something i just never had time to dive into.
The posisition of the port would require the device to stand streight up, which is not very conventional. Cool Idea tho, I would reconsider port posisitioning
You would have to have it tested in various locations…not an advocate for phone control because well…it’s your phone…and if you drop it…you could break it … Also, what if the the app on the phone freezes for some reason…yada yada yada…
Reliability is over time in various locations…may be you send one to the community to test for you…each member that is chosen to test passes your device to the next person…and the last person on the list sends it back to you…so far seems the various group buys have gone without a hitch and so far the community has been outstanding in communication and supportive of new ideas (see Breakboard thread: http://www.electric-skateboard.builders/t/brakeboard-rat-disc-brakes-kickstarter/2873?u=michaelinvegas) Also search @jacobbloy and @Hummie threads on the hub motors they sell…
I think certain members of this community can assist you in finding out if “this” is something that the esk8 community would be interested in…Thats from the guy with a background in marketing and business development… Those are my two cents
My app has been submitted for approval on iOS and can do phone control using the nunchuk app so you can have ramping and cruise control if u wanted it and you can use a Bluetooth module that costs only $5
looks cool, but I would put my I Phone in the pocket when riding in order not to drop it.
also I´m not sure about the touchscreen trigger, as it gives me no feedback.
well, you are right, but I meant more of a “mechanical”, sensoric feedback. like you release the trigger and it snaps back in the neutral position and whenever your finger goes for the trigger it feels where it is.
(that kind of feedback I mean)
but maybe its possible for this device to use the vibrating feature?
edit:
maybe you show a video of the app, how it works, then its more clear.
ps:
does your trigger snap back to neutral if I release the touch?
and how accurate do I need to hit the white square (trigger) or can I just touch ANYWHERE on the screen and push forwards? (that would make it “eyes free”)
Yes, the trigger snaps back to neutral when you release the touch, and as an answer to your second question. No, you can’t touch anywhere on the screen, you need to touch the white thumb area when starting sliding and then you can touch anywhere on the screen as long as you don’t release your finger.
A video is a great idea, will do that as soon as I get some spare time!
. And yes, every wireless connection has the risk of failing unexpectedly. But in all the testing that I´ve done the connection have’nt failed a single time.
