Another crazy project? Oh noez!
 

So I am thinking about making a data acquisition box... Before I dump another $3-5k in R&D, I need to know if anyone would actually be interested in these things...

Sensors/inputs:
- 3-axis accelerometer (shows your g-forces in X, Y, and Z)
- 5hz 32-channel GPS receiver
- O2 sensor input
- RPM
- Vacuum/boost
- Throttle position
- Brake pedal on/off
- Clutch pedal on/off
- Multiple cameras

Ouputs:
- USB port
- Character LCD display interface
- CF card for logging

Target price: $500-600 for standalone or $300-400 for CarPC/laptop version

Features:
- Overlay any data onto video in real time (synced up)
- Calculate 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc
- Calculate G-forces and drift angles
- Calculate car's HP and torque ratings based on exact weight
- Log data from any sensor inputs
- Display data in real time on LCD display (digital dash)
- You suggest what else

thats acually a really cool idea. Could it like interface with MS?

If you make something that will interface with a display that you could mount on the steering column that displays:
oil & fuel pressure
oil & coolant temp
speed, rpm, boost
and something else like a lap timer with GPS or something would be amazing.
You would sell tons, if you could keep them around that price range. Current things on the market will do this but they're over $1k.

It's not that hard to do, but also not very useful for a street car. I designed a system that would do exactly what you are proposing about 4 years ago. I lost interest and dropped the project about 20% into the programming phase.

i am going to do that for my car anyways since i ordered some parts already. first prototype im doing will be hooked up to my carpc (to a laptop for development time) and will do the following:
- lap times
- average lap speeds
- lateral g's
- from ms: rpm, boost, tps, etc
- 0-60 and 1/4 mile

later i want to integrate megasquirt auto-tuning to this thing based on synchronized logs from gps, megasquirt, and accelerometer logs

from there i might start developing standalone version. difference between standalone and carpc/laptop version is only in processor. standalone will be based on system on chip or some other embedded pc. laptop version will just hook up to laptop and be powered by downloadable software.

i am thinking of making this an open-source project where you can just buy parts and put it together yourself or buy a complete assembled unit.

software will probably be linux-based since its much easier to communicate with devices through linux and it comes on most embeded systems.

so, if its open source and is based on common controllers then you will have power to modify it to your needs as well as extend it any way you want. eg: vga monitor is an easy add-on. 640x480 monochrome lcd can be adapted without a problem also to act as digital dash or to display whatever other info you need.

have you looked at the MaxQData offerings? I have their older 5hz GPS unit and it's quite neat. The newer ones are 10hz. I don't entirely trust the GPS-based accelerometer, but for comparing autox runs with my codriver, it was exactly what I needed.

The software is quite nice too. Remember that as much fun as a whole shiatload of hardware inputs is, the software and especially GUI is what separates the men from the boys.

accelerometer is not gps based. its a separate unit.
software is not a problem. i make my living doing that crap ;)

MaxQData is too expensive for this project. gps im planning to use is only about $60 w/ controller. although im making it possible to use $50 ebay 5hz receiver. thats what im going to use for development anyways

Urban - I meant that I have the GPS-only MaxQData unit. I don't trust its G-readings too much (it called 1.6G once at an autocross. Hoosiers stick, but not that much). The more expensive one has an accelerometer-based G-meter, which I would be more inclined to trust, though I understand that solid mounting becomes extremely important at that point.

If you can push your receiver to 10hz, you might start winning racing customers over from the MaxQData product. 5hz was nice, but people I've talked with really like the 10hz. Good luck.

the thing is - its just a matter to buy a 10hz receiver. im aiming at DIYers and im not doing this for profit.

You can find the exact unit maxq uses for their high rez 10mhz for about $70.