Vehicle Systems
User Interface
The basic control interface is designed to be simple and intuitive for the driver, with a twist throttle control, hand-operated brakes, and switches mounted on the handlebars to operate the headlamps and turn signals. The central hub for the steering column will also contain an LCD screen.
An Arduino microcontroller unit collects and processes data from the sensors in order to report them to the driver. The parameters monitored include the outside temperature, the vehicle's speed, and the battery charge level (monitored by watching the battery's voltage). There is also an additional temperature sensor monitoring the battery compartment, in order to give the user an indication of a possible fault condition that can be corrected. The system also monitors an LCD distance sensor, used to warn the driver of objects behind him or her, once again to provide a warning. All of these parameters are sent over a TTL serial link to the LCD package.
The LCD package is an EarthLCD ezLCD-313, which is a transflective 3.5" color LCD panel with an integrated resistive touch-screen. During normal use, the LCD will report to the user the vehicle's speed and charge level along with the outside air temperature. During a fault condition, such as a detected object in the rear or a battery overtemperature condition, the screen will warn the user of these adverse conditions.