Raspberry Pi enthusiasts searching for inspiration for their next project may be interested in this Raspberry Pi Sense HAT project created by Instructables user Ashu_d. The Impact Recorder is designed to record impact sustained to a vehicle while driving or stationary. Using the Raspberry Pi mini PC, impacts are stored in the database in the form of readings as well as video and images.
Project Overview
“Impact Recorder is designed to record impact sustained to a vehicle while driving or stationary,” Ashu_d explains. Alongside the Raspberry Pi and Sense HAT, the build also uses a Raspberry Pi Camera Module to record footage, saving video and/or picture files to the SD card for you to examine after a collision. “The impacts are stored in the database in the form of readings as well as video/picture.”
The Sense HAT is an add-on board for the Raspberry Pi, which includes a variety of sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity sensors. These sensors are crucial for detecting and recording the impact data accurately. The accelerometer, for instance, can measure the force of the impact, while the gyroscope can detect any sudden changes in the vehicle’s orientation.
Building the Impact Recorder
To build the Impact Recorder, you will need a Raspberry Pi, a Sense HAT, a Raspberry Pi Camera Module, and an SD card with sufficient storage capacity. The project involves setting up the Raspberry Pi with the Sense HAT and Camera Module, and then writing a script to record the sensor data and camera footage when an impact is detected.
The process begins with installing the necessary software on the Raspberry Pi. This includes the Raspbian operating system and the Sense HAT library. Once the software is set up, you can connect the Sense HAT and Camera Module to the Raspberry Pi. The Sense HAT connects to the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi, while the Camera Module connects to the dedicated camera port.
Next, you will need to write a Python script to read the sensor data from the Sense HAT and control the Camera Module. The script should continuously monitor the accelerometer data for any sudden changes that indicate an impact. When an impact is detected, the script should start recording video footage and save the sensor readings to a database.
For more information on the project, jump over to the Instructables project page where full instructions on how to create your very own are provided by its creator. The project page includes detailed steps, code snippets, and troubleshooting tips to help you successfully build the Impact Recorder.
Applications and Benefits
The Impact Recorder has several practical applications and benefits. For instance, it can be used as a dashcam to provide evidence in case of an accident. The recorded video footage and sensor data can help determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault. This can be particularly useful for insurance claims and legal disputes.
Additionally, the Impact Recorder can be used to monitor the condition of a parked vehicle. If someone hits your car while it is parked, the Impact Recorder will capture the impact and provide evidence of the incident. This can help you identify the responsible party and seek compensation for any damages.
Moreover, the project is a great way to learn about the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi and Sense HAT. It provides hands-on experience with sensors, data logging, and video recording, which are valuable skills for any aspiring maker or engineer.
Source: Instructables
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