Project-10 Modified Dio , Security System for vehicles (Gspeed Enforcer)

The main reason for me to do this project Gspeed was that, I was incapable of carrying around something small without losing it one way or the other. In this case, I used to consistently lose the keys to my Honda Dio scooter which led me to making a bunch of duplicate keys for it. Even though, these keys would work fine, I began to think about what someone can do if they obtained the keys to my scooter. Well, obviously being from where I am that sounds no good, so I designed this fail proof or a fool proof system for security while simultaneously serving other uses as well.

So, the system is a security enforcer. Here, I have developed a pass code based access system to my scooter. So, basically only a person who knows this ‘n’ digit pass code may have access to it. Hence even though if any guy possessing my key tries to jack my scooter he will not be able to use it without my pass code combination. The system also allows the user to change the pass code on the spot whenever he/she desires via a custom user interface provided by me, in case if the user feels insecure about his pass code combination. Here, unless the person enters the correct pass code combination he/she will not be able to access any of the features of the scooter. Even kick starting the engine will not work without the pass code combination. When the correct pass code is entered the engine immediately starts automatically while simultaneously granting access to all the other vehicular features as well.  Here is a picture showing the custom keypad and the system activation switch: 

Here, the pass code has to be entered via this keypad provided on the scooter’s dash, whereas the system activation switch is the red missile switch to the right above it. To safely enforce the device, the missile switch cover has to be merely shut down after use.
The system, I designed works by first switching on the system ON switch and then inputting the ‘n’ digit pass code combination and then pressing the key ‘A’ to enter it. To change the pass code, the user simply has to enter ‘B’ and then enter the present pass code, if that is right then the user may enter his new pass code and then press ‘A’ to save it. The visual feedback of this process is seen via a LCD screen mounted on the scooter as you shall see in the working demo video below.

The system as soon as it is activated then leads on to the GPS speedometer aka Gspeed user interface that is the same GPS based speedometer I had developed for my scooter earlier as explained and portrayed in project no: 2 in this blog. It has the following functions:  Present speed, lap time, surrounding temperature, latitude and longitude coordinates, fuel level, date, time, and other vehicular information like registered number, etc.
The system I designed consists of hardware components like an ATMega328 microcontroller with a custom designed PCB incorporating relays, GPS modules, temperature sensors, high current voltage regulators, character LCD’s , keypad, ON/OFF switch etc. The hardware is all tucked away neatly inside a 4X4 inch plastic black box inside the front cover of the scooter as shown below:



 
The applications and advantages of the project include:
1. Firstly, it does not allow any guy who thinks he can steal my Dio using a key that I lost hehe.
2. The system is a full proof protector; it won’t allow functioning without the correct pass code.
3. Allows spontaneous pass code changing options.
4. Does not require use of keys for access, a keyless operating system.
5. Allows a user to safely park his vehicle without having the tension of anyone trying to hack it using a duplicate key or other methods.
6. Provides GPS based speed data and a bunch of other data from other sensors.
7. Sleek and stylish design even looks cool.
Finally, the working demo video:

Latest Publication in Elektor International Electronics Magazine

I was fortunate enough to publish my project for the international electronics magazine Elektor, as per the request of it's editor Ms.Savita Jayaram.

                           
                                                                                                 


                                 
       

Project 9- Home Automation , Interactive Voice Response System

Okay, here I have automated my room in order to control the various electrical devices like lights, fans, and even closing and opening of curtains or doors , etc. This type of automation completely relies on the user's speech commands. Hence a user will be able to control the various devices via merely his/her voice in their desired language from anywhere within the room. Thus, a guy who is too lazy to get out from the bed in the morning to switch on the lights or open the curtains may simply do this by asking the system to do so from the bed itself.A pic of my system is as shown below:

Here, I have used a custom voice recognizer system along with it's provided software using which I trained the commands into the system. A quick sound synthesizer was also used to upload vocal responses for the system when approached by any user. Here, In this system a password protection is provided so that only the real owner of the room may use it, on saying the correct password the system acknowledges back using it's vocal response. Now the system is ready to take on any commands from the user such as to turn ON the lights, fan, open curtains ,lock doors ,etc. When a person wants to leave the room and wishes to secure it, then he/she has to simply say the command "Lock down the room", by which the system is once again password protected preventing any unauthorized use of the device and discouraging intruders. The hardware setup is as shown:

The hardware setup mainly consists of an AT Mega 328 micro controller which is seated on a custom designed PCB board, soldered by me. The custom PCB board mainly consists of a bunch of relays (12V,7A) for controlling each of the individual functions, a relay driver , crystal oscillators , etc. The lines from the switch board are taken out and fed into these relays. Next comes the voice recognizer module seated below the custom PCB board, it communicates serially with the micro controller. Then comes the speaker amplifier unit used for amplifying the speech signals from the module , that is to be given to the speaker box as shown in the 1st pic.The custom PCB board is as shown:

The applications and advantages of this project are enormous, a few of them are:
1.Users are capable of communicating with the device naturally through speech.
2.Users are not required to reach the switch board and turn the switches on manually.
3.A person can use the device from anywhere in the room, by merely using these speech commands.
4.A wide variety of applications including the control of autonomous robots via voice commands.
5.Improved room security providing password protection feature for securing the room.
6.The system provides a vocal feedback to the user as well , to acknowledge the commands.
7.The system is capable of mocking a normal person to person communication

A video demonstration of the whole system is as shown:

Project 8- Android Controlled Car Activation System , Smartphone Controlled Car*Patent Protected*

Once I studied that i could control all the functions of a scooter, using a bit of android programming, I moved off to something bigger and useful. I first tried out my system on my friend's Honda City, as my father wan't ready to give me his car. After a bit of persuasion from his colleagues , he agreed to give it to me. In the case of my friend Sunil's Honda City, I had to figure out the wiring for the igniton and engine by just using an ordinary multimeter. I was so happy when those headers roared for the first time at the push of a button from my phone. After , working on the Honda City I moved on to my Santro Xing, now I didn't want to take any risk ,so I went directly to the Hyundai service centre and with the expertise of the technicians I was able to understand the wiring of my car, I was thrilled by the response of the people at Hyundai once I showed a demo to the entire staff there.

 I programmed my android phone to create a mainframe which is like a UI for my car, by pushing the respective buttons on my phone. I am able to access all the basic functions of my car, such as : engine start, ignition on/off, Air Conditioning, Parking lights, Central locking system.The newly fabricated system is as shown:

I have applied for a patent on this system via my advocate Tommy Mampilly, the application was sent to the Chennai patent office.

The application used for this system is called "My Ride" made by me, the system is initially password protected, so that unauthorised access is prevented. I was also featured on Asianet News for this project, the video showing my project and it's applications is:

The system canonly be used if the car is resting in the neutral position and if the hand brake is activated.

The video depicting all the functions of my system are:

The latest RideSmart blackberry application for Blackberry 10 on a Honda City:

                       

Project 7- Android Controlled car with line follower mode , android controlled robot

As, I was introduced to the exciting new world of android, I became aware of it’s infinite possibilities. I found out different ways to manipulate the android O.S. , to create softwares that had functionalities extending from beyond the phone itself. In this project I have created an android software to control a small model of a car, which is also integrated with a line follower mode. Even though the motor speed’s not significant enough , I am able to completely control it using phone.

The different functions programmed into it are: front, back, left, right and stop. And, the most unique thing is that it is programmed with a line follower mode, i.e., if you press that particular button then the robot becomes completely autonomous and begins following a black line.All this can be done at a distance of 100m from the RC car.The type of connection used here is based on bluetooth working at about 2.5Ghz, preventing the distortions that may occur at lower frequencies.

In this project I am using an ATMega328 microcontroller along with a bluetooth module, also equipped with two continous rotation servo motors and it's corresponding wheels, it also comes with a QTR8A reflectance sensor array to enable it to work in autonomous line follower mode.The basic setup is as shown in the pic:

I started off by programming my phone with the basic UI to control my car, providing separate buttons for each type of movement of the car.I transmitted the corresponding commands via bluetooth to my RC car, the car then decodes these bluetooth signals via a bluetooth module, and the microcontroller identifies these signals and does the particular function corresponding to that button.My RC car uses a differential drive system, hence it requires only two servo motors in the front and an omni directional wheel at the back.And the best feature which is the line follower mode is enabled once that particular button is pressed.
And if you have already prepared a black line using an insulation tape, then you just have to navigate the car to the beginning of that circuit and press the line follower button, and then my device calibrates the position of the black line and begins to follow it through all sorts of curves.The pic below shows the reflectance sensor used:




The various applications of the system include:
1.Can be used as a remote spying device , controlled using any ordinary android phone.

2.Apart from the conventional RC cars, here you just have to buy the car no need for the transmitter, you just need an android phone.

3.Any user having an android phone can control the device using my software.

4.The device also works as an autonomous robot, in the line following mode.

5.Can be equipped with cameras and sensors for surveillance and monitoring.

6.It can be the best source of entertainment at your office desk.
The video showing the complete working of the system is:

Project 6 - Android Controlled Bike , Android Controlled Scooter or Two Wheeler "Patent Protected"

My android application - My Ride
Okay, this project is the one that has been "patent" protected it, showcases the world's first android phone controlled scooter (Honda Dio), this concept is purely unique, and has many applications.I have created an application for an android pone to control the basic functions of a scooter.
Even though i had to wait for a long time to get an android phone,thanks to my mom I got one of the best available sets, the Samsung Galaxy S, even though any android phone can work with my application.The idea came to me while i was in bed, cluelessly thinking about stuff when i was not able to sleep during my exam time.
After taking a crash course on eclipse and java programming using the internet, i was able to do the programming for my phone to send the necessary bluetooth commands.

In the case of the headlights , it remains ON until the user presses the OFF button via the android application.So by using my application (My Ride) , a person can turn the engine ON, or the headlights ON or the horn.All these functions can be accessed through the phone from a distance of about 100m, depending on the surroundings.                                                                                        

The video showing the entire working of the system along with a brief description of the hardware and also showing the basic mainframe of my "My Ride" application:

I have tested and used the system on my Honda Dio scooter, making it the world's first android phone controlled scooter.
The applications and uses of this system are countless, some of the basic applications are:

1.Provides keyless accessing , no need to carry those bulky key sets ,when u just need an android phone and   my application.
2.No other system, allows you to access the headlights , horn as well as the engine accessing capabilities.
3.Provides a total anti theft solution , as the vehicle can only be accessed and used through your phone.
4.Even when another person , having the same application and system installed in his vehicle, tries to access yours, it wont be possible as i have provided a 12 character identification id for each vehicle.
5.No need to worry about loosing your keys, if you would like another person to use your vehicle, you could just send the application to his phone.
6.The system has a range of about 100m unlike no other remote controlled system, increasing range of accessing.
7.Can be used for other purposes like cheap show offs or to play a prank on someone,etc LOL.

This is first and one of a kind system created by Arvind Sanjeev, patent protected <A.R.S.>.