Dear all,
I'm a researcher looking at the use of personal tracking devices and apps (like Runkeeper app or Fitbit device) for cycling. At the moment I'm designing a simple experiment where I want to measure the overall level of activity for a group of cyclists over a period of 1 month. You will say: "ask them to use an app like Moves or ask them to write down the reading from a low price odometer every day". The problem is that those solutions have low reliability because they are dependent on participants "doing something". What I want is something that will independently measure their activity, and is hidden from them - lets say installed in the seat frame.
I looked at the range of low price odometers available on the market but they all have the same issues. They show the speed and distance when you cycle, but they don't give you much option for the memory storage of results, nor they give you an option to timestamp the results. They usually have no automatic power management option - they don't turn on when you start cycling and turn off when you stop to save the battery.
Here is the summary of the simple device I would like to get for my experiment:
- turns on when the user moves bicycle
- starts recording some activity-indicating data - steps, distance covered, speed, etc (whatever is the simplest to do)
- records all the activity data in the memory
- creates the time stamp every X minutes (or date stamp daily if thats easier)
- turns off when person don't cycle for X minutes
- is small enough to fit in a space like inside seat frame
- can run on single battery for 1 month or more
- can be created/obtained within $50 budget - preferably lower price
My question is whether it's realistic to create such device with Arduino, if I'm a total beginner in this. If not - what else would be realistic. If yes, what would be the way you would do this, and which components you would use.
Alternatively, if you know existing (low price) device that meets my requirements, I would also appreciate your feedback on this.
Thank you!
Building small, low-power pedometer/odometer with memory and time/date log
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Re: Building small, low-power pedometer/odometer with memory and time/date log
What you want to do is probably not feasable for several devices on your budget but if you are willing to make compromises you could build a unit to test your concept. All the parts you need should fit in a small tool bag attached behind the seat. Something like this but this one might be out of your price range http://www.competitivecyclist.com/produ ... .42.1.html
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.