AlterEgoArmory which has room for a big screen, so I took the opportunity to develop something better and this came out. Learned a few tricks for screen programming and I think the result is pretty cool!
WOW! Very nice.
I've just taken the dive into Arduino and besides the stuff I'm starting for the grandson's Brio track/train controls (he's only 2.5 so I have a little time) I wanted to look for a project or 2 to keep my hands busy. I retired 2 years ago after 40+ years in I.T. I didn't want to hijack your thread but figured I'd throw some things out that are in the ideation stage. I'm not looking to monetize any of this and wanted to pay it forward some other folks have been helping me out in various ways.
I like the graphics you shared and it was not unlike some of the things bouncing around in my head. One possible approach is leveraging some of the wireless (ESP/Bluetooth/etc) features in some of the boards out there. Between the displays, touch displays and keypads it got my mind wandering off in all directions. I'm still relatively new to sketches but have been writing code since 1977 (started on punched cards). Having seen some of the elaborate wiring harnesses that folks doing IronMan I wanted to see if it was plausible to go wireless. Some wiring would likely be required with a possible plug & play solution. Seen too many horror stories about harness failures.
Some of the things I'd been writing down on the idea board include:
* using some type of master controller that gets messages from the remotes/slaves and then "does something".
* putting the battery pack(s) and/or larger controller behind the breastplate. The other option is for the gauntlets but the weight might start to add up. The larger processor (like an Uno or larger) would be the master controller driving other actions across the armor set. The local boards could still do something but it would be limited to local action so if there is a problem with the master the suit would still have some bells and whistles albeit a limited feature set.
* Add some type of display panel in the gauntlet. Not sure if touch screens would be worthwhile as they start to consume a few pins & there is the issue of gloves needing accommodation.
* button pad - have seen some 12 & 16 button pads. One issue again that they start taking up pins. Unless the action is local to the remote controller it would send a message to the master. Something like raising or lowering the rangefinder. Another is to discretely display the time on the gauntlet when a button is pressed.
* one of the buttons or other triggers to "turn on" the armor/weaponry so that lights come on. One could activate features based on bringing the weapon to ready.
* hall effect sensor - (sense magnetic field or lack of one) could be interesting for activating the lights in the small detonators.
* lots of possible ways to activate the sidearm when removed from a holster.
* Clan identifier - when coming up to another member it might be interesting to receive a "friendly signal" that is displayed on the gauntlets.
* some of the boards have a microSD card reader that can be used for graphics/images - no experience there other than just aware of them.
* Cameras - way over my head at the moment but adafruit and others are doing some interesting things.
* GPS - above my payg rade
* speakers - tbd
* servos & vibration motors - tbd (besides the knife)
* biometric monitoring - I always wondered what was the point of the "gizmo" on some of the armor plates. Could have some interesting uses for monitoring one's health (or others in the group) during parades/events.
I've rambled on long enough. If you ever want to do some brainstorming or collaboration drop me a message at meadmkr at yahoo dot com.
