Motorcycle + Arduino IMU + Android GPS = RideData App

Overview

For many people, riding a motorcycle is more than just a way to get around town but a way to relax, enjoy the day, and see the world one bug splat at a time. Some people fall in love the first time they try and never look back. That's what happened to me.

Gravity and motorcycles are either best friends or the worst of enemies. A motorcycle uses centrifugal force to keep itself upright and moving in a straight line. Leaning through a good corner and accelerating up a hill or riding a motorcycle through a canyon or over a mountain are some of the best uses of gravity you can experience.

Our project

Recording data from the gravity with an IMU gives a unique look into your particular riding style and setup. Combined with GPS data you can see exactly where you were and see the gravity data from that location.

I'm planning to include the AT&T IoT kit into the mix to help replace the need for the phone to record, and to create an alert system to serve as a bike alarm, remotely monitoring GPS and IMU data and communicating with me if the alarm is activated and the bike starts moving.

Part of RideData is a Facebook chat bot that lets your friends and family use a common interface like Facebook Messenger to keep tabs on your location, I'm hoping to use the AT&T kit as part of that process as well.

For some people transportation will always be transportation but if you've ever had the chance to fall in love with a motorcycle it might have changed your life and your outlook on gravity forever.

IMU and GPS data aren't just limited to motorcycles but high performance cars trucks use it too. Motorsports are a positive thing in many people's lives and if it's what you're into the data from your ride can be really cool to see.

RideData started off a pretty basic project and quickly turned into a full time project.

Video