Introduction: Smart Back-light
Venco is a device designed to be fitted in a centered, high-mounted position at the rear of a vehicle. It analyses the data from the sensors - gyroscope and the accelerometer and displays the current state of the vehicle - acceleration, braking to a halt, turn direction – through distinct signals and signs on one or several stackable LED matrices, thereby alerting other traffic participants and pedestrians. Sharing information that may be relevant to other traffic participants can improve traffic flow and safety.
Step 1: LED, Arduino Leonardo, MPU 9150, Splitter
Venco is made of one or more stackable LED matrices , ATMEGA32U4 micro-controller board which controls the LED screen, reads and transmits data from the sensors and from the ESP8266 module, a rechargeable battery, and a splitter which houses the wireless module and the multi-sensor MPU9150: gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetic field meter, temperature sensor.
Step 2: SD Card and ESP 8266
I have added a SD card slot which keeps all sensor data collected during the trip for further analysis and a free slot which allows plugging a wireless module to transmit data also to a LCD display or Google Glasses thus indicating the speed, the acceleration, compass, map and the traffic behind to the cyclist or to the driver.
Step 3: The Topology
Venco has been developed using an innovative topology. It is a combination of familiar elements applied in a way which upgrades their established functions into an original product for enhanced information exchange.
